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Harare, Zimbabwe, Wednesday 10 July 2025 – Stakeholders from government, civil society, business, labor, local authorities, and development partners gathered in Harare Metropolitan Province today to witness the official launch of Zimbabwe’s Open SDG Data Portal. The milestone initiative aims to modernize the country’s statistical systems, promote transparency, and transform governance through open, accessible, and localized data.
Delivering the official welcome, the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mr. Cosmas Chiringa, representing the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya, acknowledged a distinguished audience that included the Secretary for Labour and Social Welfare, Mr. Simon Masanga; United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, His Excellency Ambassador Edward Kallon; the UNFPA Country Representative, Madam Miranda; the Director General of Zimstat, Ms. Bandama; provincial teams; development partners; local authorities; civil society; business and labor leaders; members of the media; and virtual participants.
“It is an honor and privilege to welcome you all to Harare Metropolitan Province as we witness the official launch of Zimbabwe’s Open SDG Data Portal,” Dr. Rushwaya said. “This occasion is not just important for our national institutions, but also for our provinces and communities.”
The launch comes at a pivotal moment when consultations for Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) are in advanced stages. Officials emphasized that the Open SDG Data Portal will serve as a cornerstone for building an inclusive, responsive, and data-driven governance structure at all levels of government.
Described as “more than just a digital tool,” the portal offers a centralized, accessible space where policymakers, researchers, civil society, development partners, and the public can obtain up-to-date data on Zimbabwe’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is designed to enable localization by providing provinces, districts, and municipalities with timely, disaggregated, and credible data, enhancing planning, resource allocation, and real-time monitoring of development impact.
“It empowers us to better understand and respond to the unique development needs of our communities,” Dr. Rushwaya added. “This portal reflects a major step forward in operationalizing local voices into the national policy dialogue.”
Officials stressed that disaggregated data—broken down by sex, age, geography, disability status, and other dimensions—is critical to ensuring that no one is left behind in development planning. “All ministries, departments, and agencies are encouraged to support the generation and submission of disaggregated data wherever possible,” said a Zimstat representative. “Only with such detail can we strengthen the equity and relevance of our reporting.”
The launch event also underscored that SDG reporting is not the task of one ministry alone, but a truly national, collaborative effort requiring the commitment of all line ministries, SDG cluster leads, and stakeholders. Ministries were specifically thanked for their ongoing work responding to data calls, engaging in validation processes, and contributing to the continuous updating of SDG indicators.
“This launch is just an official event, but the outreach and training on SDG reporting in Zimbabwe is an ongoing process,” the official explained. “We call on every department to remain focused and committed to keeping our reporting timely, relevant, and reflective of real progress.”
Zimbabwe’s progress with 48 voluntary local reviews so far was highlighted as evidence that local ownership of the SDGs is not only possible but essential. Dr. Rushwaya praised local authorities, community data collectors, and partners who ensure that data is rooted in the lived realities of Zimbabweans. “They are the quiet custodians of inclusive development,” he said.
Special appreciation was extended to development partners for their technical and financial support, with the United Nations singled out for its expertise in building a robust, interoperable platform that meets global standards while respecting local needs.
“We also wish to recognize the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for its coordination role, as well as the United Nations country team and the Economic Commission for Africa for their steadfast support,” the Zimstat representative added.
Zimstat reaffirmed its commitment to supporting voluntary local reviews being undertaken by local authorities across the country. Through structured engagements and capacity-building at national and sub-national levels, Zimstat aims to strengthen the full data value chain—from collection and analysis to dissemination.
“Strong local data improves national reporting. We’re proud to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders in Zimbabwe to advance the SDGs,” the official noted.
Participants were urged to view the platform not merely as a technical tool, but as a bridge between data and development—a vital connector between information and real-world impact.
“The real value lies in the impact,” participants were reminded. “Let us approach this launch with openness, diligence, and shared responsibility, ensuring that our platform truly reflects the aspirations and capabilities of our nation.”
As Zimbabwe embarks on this next phase of its SDG journey, stakeholders are committed to sustained engagement and collaboration to ensure that no one is left behind—and that the country’s development path remains rooted in evidence, inclusivity, and accountability.
