'Zimbabwe is open for business,' says Mnangagwa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged Zimbabweans to honour the legacy of the country's living and fallen heroes by building a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.

Addressing the 46th Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre on Monday under the theme "Lest We Forget", Mnangagwa said the sacrifices made by liberation war heroes should continue to inspire Zimbabwe's development.

"We hope that our fallen heroes are watching over us and the way we are preserving their legacy," Mnangagwa said.

The President used the occasion to highlight developments across the economy, agriculture, infrastructure and social services, while outlining government's priorities under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

On the economy, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had maintained exchange-rate and price stability since September 2024, with inflation remaining below 5%.

He reiterated that "Zimbabwe is indeed Open for Business", saying government was reviewing licences, permits and levies in an effort to improve the operating environment for businesses and investors.

Mnangagwa said the country was also shifting away from exporting raw materials towards beneficiation and manufacturing. Mining companies, he added, would be required to rehabilitate the environment following extraction activities.

In agriculture, the President said irrigation capacity was targeted to increase from 274,439 hectares to 496,000 hectares, while Zimbabwe had set a 2026 wheat production target of 662,500 metric tonnes.

He said the Invest Rural policy was directing investment towards rural infrastructure, manufacturing hubs and agro-processing as part of efforts to stimulate development outside major urban centres.

Industrial capacity utilisation, Mnangagwa said, had surpassed 60%, while government was accelerating investment in green energy and Independent Power Producers.

He also highlighted several major infrastructure and energy projects, saying plans for the Muzarabani Gas Project were progressing.

"Plans for the Muzarabani Gas Project are advancing, while work continues on the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, Kanyemba Road, port modernisation and the resumption of direct Air Zimbabwe flights to the UK," he said.

On social services, Mnangagwa said the Education Support Programme continued to assist dependants of veterans and disadvantaged learners by covering school fees.

He said vocational training centres were being modernised, while government was investing in the domestic production of medicines and vaccines.

"Public servants are being re-skilled and the Citizen Engagement Platform will boost accountability," he said.

Under NDS2, the President said government would focus on areas including constitutional alignment, digital justice and combating corruption.

He also announced that four new community radio stations had been licensed, while a Smart Traffic Management System was being rolled out.

Mnangagwa called on young Zimbabweans to play an active role in shaping the country's future, challenging them to demonstrate through their actions that Zimbabwe has a hardworking population committed to progress.

"Tinoda vechidiki vanoratidza nemabasa avo kuti tiri Nyika inehunhu, inoshanda nesimba, neremangwana rakajeka… Pamberi nema youth edu. Pasi nenyope," he said.

The President also pointed to Zimbabwe's election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term as evidence of what he described as growing international confidence in the country.

He said the achievement demonstrated Zimbabwe's continued engagement on the international stage and the importance of preserving the country's sovereignty while pursuing national development.

Mnangagwa said the responsibility of preserving the legacy of the liberation struggle ultimately rested with current and future generations, urging Zimbabweans to remain united and focused on building a better country.