The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe continues to play a key role in driving the country’s development agenda by aligning national priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the UNDP Zimbabwe Programme Board Meeting held at the Country Club, New Lands, Harare, His Excellency Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, emphasized UNDP’s commitment to integrating policy coherence, financing solutions, and innovative approaches to create long-term, transformative impacts for Zimbabwe’s people.
The UN currently implements 11 Joint Programmes, with a total budget of USD 169 million for 2024. These initiatives, which include the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund, Health Resilience Fund, SDG Fund for Renewable Energy, and Zimbabwe Electoral Process Support (ZIMECO), aim to strengthen governance, economic empowerment, climate resilience, and access to essential services for the country’s most vulnerable communities.
UNDP continues to foster strategic public-private partnerships, recognizing the private sector’s critical role in inclusive economic growth and job creation. At the same time, collaborations with local communities and grassroots organizations ensure that development programs remain contextually relevant, inclusive, and sustainable.
International partnerships also play a crucial role in mobilizing financial and technical resources, with the presence of key figures like Dr. Jo Abbot at the meeting reaffirming UNDP’s strong global alliances in supporting Zimbabwe’s development agenda.
The Zimbabwe UN Cooperation Framework’s mid-term review identified six critical transitions needed to accelerate progress toward the SDGs, which are now being considered for integration into Zimbabwe’s Second National Development Strategy (2026-2030).
These include Food System Transformation, with policies and investment plans worth USD 925 million focused on micro-irrigation systems, local tractor assembly plants, and mechanized farming hubs; Transforming Education, where the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has committed USD 48.8 million (2023-2026) to support inclusive education, while UNICEF and ITU aim to connect all schools to the internet by 2030; Climate Change and Biodiversity, where Zimbabwe’s NDC and LT-LEDS Investment Framework require USD 12 billion for climate action, supported by agencies like UNEP, UNDP, FAO, and WFP; Energy Access and Affordability, which includes a USD 10 million SDG Renewable Energy Fund, in partnership with Old Mutual, expected to leverage USD 100 million for national renewable energy projects; Digital Connectivity, with the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan outlining national ICT priorities and the ITU-led GIGA project targeting 6,611 unconnected rural schools; and Jobs and Social Protection, where the UNCT has supported skills audits and harmonized social protection systems, with contributions from ILO and UNDP.
In addition to these transitions, efforts to end violence against women and girls remain a priority. A USD 2 million EU fund has been secured, with Switzerland considering an additional USD 2.5 million, targeting legal reforms, economic empowerment, and gender-focused data collection.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kallon stressed the importance of enhancing domestic resource mobilization, South-South Cooperation, and regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He called for reduced bureaucracy, increased innovation, and more effective communication on the impact of development programs.
With strong government, private sector, and development partner collaborations, UNDP Zimbabwe remains committed to accelerating SDG implementation and driving sustainable growth in the coming years.
