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Patrick Chitumba, [email protected] 

THE Midlands province recorded a 10,9 percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) last year, which is almost double the country’s average growth rate of 6,5 percent.

The provincial gross GDP growth was largely led by the mining sector. 

This came out during the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) inaugural dissemination workshop for the 2022 population and housing census provincial profile, district data sheets and provincial GDP for Midlands held in Gweru on Tuesday.

ZimStat manager for accounts and analysis, Mr Tapiwa Gumbo said the province recorded a $25 billion growth in its GDP, with the mining sector contributing $7 billion.

“The Midlands province witnessed huge strides in development in the year 2022. The mining sector largely contributed to the growth in the province post-Covid-19 era,” he said.

Mr Gumbo said the wholesale and manufacturing sector also contributed significantly to the GDP growth. 

He said the hospitality and tourism sector which was subdued during Covid-19 also witnessed some massive growth during the period under review including the telecommunications sector.

Mr Gumbo said ZimStat is presently working on modalities to come up with quarterly statistics on the performance of each province through the enhanced data dissemination standards, with a view to accelerating the country’s development trajectory.

Unicef programme officer for local governance, Mr Rongedzayi Fambasayi said as development partners they appreciate the population and housing census provincial profiles.

He said they are important in coming up with coordinated policies to ensure previously marginalised communities get assistance.

“Statistics are critical in shaping lives and policy making. Working together can bring about positive change,” he said.

Mr Fambasayi said collaboration can help reach out to the most vulnerable areas so that they can address some of the deprivation.

“Identification of gaps will help us to make sound interventions,” he said. 

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said the Second Republic has put in place measures that attract investment in the province.

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“We are proud to note that the province registered a 10,9 percent GDP growth rate in 2022, the highest in the country for that period. Let me hasten to say that mining and quarrying had the highest contribution to our provincial GDP followed by agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing,” he said

Minister Ncube said the Government is committed to working with businesses by creating an enabling environment for the growth of the provincial economy in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS 1).

“It is important to note that the attainment of an upper middle-income society is informed by surveys from ZimStat as we seek to achieve Vision 2030. Our thrust is to come up with evidence-based decision-making,” he said.

“We will continue to open space for new investments. I implore ZimStat to regularly give updates for us to come up with sound policies that will address challenges in the province.”

Minister Ncube said the province’s economy is mainly anchored on mining, agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail.

Mines operating in the province include Gold at Jena Mine, Platinum Group of Metals (PGMs), Unki Mine and Mimosa Mining Company.

There is also a cement manufacturer, Sino Zimbabwe, and steel producers Anchor Yeast, Steelmakers, and Midlands Metals.

The province is also home to the First Family’s productive farm, Precabe farm, Dendairy and Pote Holdings.