ZIMBABWE has enlisted the World Bank to accelerate its Economic Nodes Programme, with a high-level delegation visiting Harare to plan technical support.
The partnership aims to fast-track corridor-based industrialisation by identifying high-potential growth hubs along key transport routes, unlocking investment opportunities, creating jobs and driving Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 economic transformation goals.
The Industry and Commerce ministry hosted a World Bank team on Tuesday, led by senior private sector specialist Sophia Muradyan, to discuss strategies for advancing corridor-based industrialisation — a key pillar of the government’s economic transformation agenda.
Industry and Commerce ministry secretary Thomas Utete Wushe reaffirmed government’s commitment to industrialisation, describing economic nodes and spatial development initiatives as critical enablers of growth along major transport routes such as the North-South and Beira-Lobito corridors.
“These initiatives form the backbone of our efforts to drive structural transformation in line with Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2, and the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (ZNIDP 2),” Wushe said.
He underscored the importance of evidence-based planning and stakeholder engagement, noting that practical, implementable recommendations will be key to the programme’s success.
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“We welcome the technical support from the World Bank in mapping corridors, identifying high-potential nodes and conducting readiness assessments,” Wushe said.
“Our goal is to ensure that these economic nodes are not just plans on paper, but fully operational hubs that stimulate investment, create jobs and drive inclusive industrial growth.”
He also emphasised the need to leverage data and analysis to guide investment decisions along the economic corridors.
“Government is committed to leveraging this support to strengthen our approach to industrialisation,” he said.
“By conducting comprehensive assessments and consulting with stakeholders, we can ensure that the economic nodes programme delivers tangible results for communities, industries and the national economy.”
He added that the collaboration with the World Bank represented a strategic step towards operationalising the programme, providing the expertise and tools necessary to identify viable industrial hubs and value chain opportunities.
“The presence of the World Bank mission in-country allows us to initiate concrete support measures, assess selected economic nodes and lay a strong foundation for full implementation."