Private Sector Joins AfDB-Zimbabwe $137M Development Talks for First Time
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Zimbabwe have concluded a high-level review of Zimbabwe’s $137 million country portfolio, setting a bold, inclusive path toward sustainable growth under the 2024–2026 Country Brief.
Held in Harare from 12–13 May, the 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) brought together stakeholders from government, development partners, and—for the first time—Zimbabwe’s private sector. The workshop marks a shift towards a more participatory and results-driven development model.
“This CPPR workshop is more than just an evaluation—it’s a co-creation platform for shared impact,” said Belinda Chesire, Country Programme Officer, on behalf of AfDB Country Manager Moono Mupotola.
Zimbabwe’s current AfDB-backed portfolio covers priority sectors such as governance, energy, agriculture, social development, and emergency response. Over $40 million of that investment is channelled through private sector instruments like trade finance and credit lines aimed at empowering SMEs.
The Acting Chief Director in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Margireta Makuwaza, emphasized that the Country Brief aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and upcoming NDS2, both key pillars of Vision 2030.
A new Country Portfolio Improvement Plan (CPIP) is now being developed to enhance project execution and ensure better coordination, faster disbursement, and long-term results. It will be presented to the AfDB’s Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) and the Government of Zimbabwe.
The workshop also spotlighted the Support to Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution initiative, a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s public financial management reforms. AfDB-managed trust funds—such as the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, Fund for Energy Inclusion, and AFAWA—are also delivering vital renewable energy and women-focused financing initiatives.
With renewed momentum and strategic alignment, the 2025 CPPR reinforced a joint commitment to achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth in Zimbabwe.
