Zimbabwe needs economic vision, not military rule

Political commentator and Zambezia Economic Movement founder Devine Mafa says Zimbabwe’s future depends on economic transformation driven by visionary civilian leadership, not continued dominance by military figures in national politics.


In a strongly worded statement shared on Saturday, Mafa questioned the long‑term role of the military establishment in Zimbabwe’s governance, warning that the country risks stagnation if it continues to rely on liberation‑war‑era politics instead of innovation‑led development.

Mafa referenced the 2017 military intervention that removed former president Robert Mugabe, noting that Vice‑President and former army commander Constantino Chiwenga had described the intervention as temporary.

“No general has ever surrendered power voluntarily,” Mafa said. “Chiwenga said temporary in 2017. He is still there nine years later.”

His remarks come amid ongoing national debate about succession politics, constitutional amendments and the future direction of Zimbabwe’s economy.

Mafa argued that Zimbabwe requires leadership capable of building a sophisticated modern economy anchored on advanced industries and technological innovation.

“What Zimbabwe needs is not another military interregnum,” he said. “It needs leadership across all pillars of a sophisticated economy — tertiary industry, manufacturing, tourism, banking, blockchain and financial innovation, space science, biotechnology, fisheries and agricultural transformation.”

He said Zimbabwe has the resources and human capital to become “the Switzerland of Africa”, but claimed this would require a decisive shift away from politics centred on military influence toward policies focused on production, investment and institutional reform.

Mafa also questioned whether military leaders possess the technical and economic expertise required to lead such a transformation.

“Chiwenga has spent his entire career in the military. He has no experience in these sectors. No vision for economic transformation. No understanding of what building a sophisticated nation requires,” he said.

The comments are likely to provoke debate within Zimbabwe’s political landscape, where the military has remained a significant force in national affairs since independence and particularly after November 2017.

Critics of military involvement in politics argue that sustainable economic growth requires stronger civilian institutions, policy stability and technocratic leadership. Supporters of the current establishment maintain that the military has played a stabilising role during periods of political uncertainty.

Mafa said Zimbabwe now faces a historic choice between continued political management and genuine economic transformation.

“We do not need generals managing decline,” he said. “We need builders creating abundance.”

His remarks reflect growing calls among some economists, entrepreneurs and younger political voices for Zimbabwe to reposition itself as a competitive regional economic hub capable of attracting investment in finance, technology, manufacturing and innovation.

Despite its vast mineral wealth, agricultural potential and educated population, Zimbabwe continues to face significant economic challenges, including currency instability, high unemployment, infrastructure deficits and low investor confidence.

Analysts say long‑term recovery will depend on institutional reforms, political stability and the creation of an environment conducive to innovation and industrial growth.