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Peter Matika
The Pre-Budget Seminar for Zimbabwe’s 2025 National Budget has officially commenced at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
Parliamentarians are engaged in a four-day session dedicated to discussions on economic resilience and transformation.

In his keynote address, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda emphasised the importance of critically assessing the performance of the 2024 National Budget as a foundation for the upcoming budget process.
He highlighted that such seminars are crucial for planning the future and fostering collaboration between Parliament and the Executive in creating a people-centred budget.

Adv Mudenda stressed that these sessions should not become mere annual rituals but should serve as platforms for innovative reflection on past budget performance. He called for a focus on building resilience as a cornerstone for sustained economic transformation, aiming towards achieving an Upper Middle Income Society by 2030.
The Speaker also underscored the necessity for the 2025 Budget to address extreme poverty, aligning with the Government’s social protection framework aimed at empowering vulnerable groups. He quoted the late South African President Nelson Mandela, who stated that poverty is a man-made issue that can be eradicated through human action.
Adv Mudenda further noted that the 2025 Budget Strategy Paper outlines the Government’s commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation across all sectors, integrating climate considerations into development planning and budgeting processes.
The seminar represents a critical juncture for Zimbabwe as it seeks to align its fiscal policies with the aspirations of its citizens, ensuring that the upcoming budget reflects a genuine commitment to addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development.