ADDRESS
BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF
ZIMBABWE,
HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. E. D. MNANGAGWA,
AT
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH
OF THE
AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM
(APRM) IN ZIMBABWE
HARARE
16 JULY 2026
The Director of Ceremonies,
Vice President of the Republic of Uganda,
Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo;
Vice President Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr.C.G.D. N. Chiwenga;
Vice President Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi;
Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Adv. J. F. N Mudenda;
President of the Senate, Hon. M. M. Chinomona;
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade,
Prof. A. Murwira;
Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament here
present;
AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade,
Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Her Excellency,
Francisca Belope;
APR Panel Member in charge of Zimbabwe, Dr. Thelma
Awori;
Former Chairperson of the African Peer Review (APR)
Panel of Eminent Persons and Lead Member for
Zimbabwe, Ambassador Aly El-Hefny;
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet,
Dr. M. Rushwaya;
Chairman of the Public Service Commission,
Dr. V. Hungwe;1Chairperson of the National Governing Council,
Commissioner Ambassador J. Manzou and other Council
Members;
Members of the APRM National Secretariat and Staff;
Senior Government Officials;
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Captains of Industry and Development Partners;
Distinguished Members.
It is my singular honour to address you at this occasion of the official launch of the African Peer Review Mechanism, which is of significant importance to the Government and people of Zimbabwe.
May I begin by extending a warm welcome to the Honourable Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Retired Major Jessica Alupo, who is here representing my Dear Brother, His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the current Chairperson of the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government.
I congratulate you, Honourable Vice President, on your country’s assumption of Chair of this important Continental initiative. Zimbabwe is confident that under your country’s stewardship, headway will be made towards advancing the values and principles of the African Peer Review Mechanism, (APRM).
May I take this opportunity of your presence; to thank, through you, His Excellency, President Museveni as well as the Government and people of Uganda for their support in Zimbabwe’s recent election for a Non-Permanent Seat in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027-2028. We appreciate your country’s steadfast solidarity towards advancing the global peace and security agenda.
Allow me to equally recognise the current African Peer Review Panel Member in charge of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency, Dr Thelma Awori.
The former Chairperson of the African Peer Review Panel of Eminent Persons and Lead Panellist for Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Ambassador El-Hefny Mahmoud, has also joined us, along with the delegation from the APRM Continental Secretariat to Zimbabwe, you are all welcome.
I commend the APRM Continental Secretariat for the work done for us to realise this momentous milestone.
Zimbabwe is grateful for the backing of the African Union leadership and collective effort, which has seen us record the successes achieved, to date.
Your assistance and critical guidance proved invaluable, during the Targeted Review Process, which we undertook under the theme of ‘Economic Governance and Management’. The teamwork and synergies reflect the enduring spirit of Pan-Africanism and should be nurtured to further strengthen the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
Today’s ceremony marks an important landmark in Zimbabwe’s journey under the African Peer Review Mechanism. This Forum, is a uniquely African home-grown initiative, that embodies Africa’s commitment to mutual accountability, self-assessment, as well as continuous improvement in governance and development.
Since Zimbabwe’s voluntary accession to the Mechanism, in February 2020, our continued engagement under APRM process reinforces our position as a committed Member State. We are dedicated to the collective pursuit of good governance, sustainable development and the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063.
The APRM aligns with our nation’s Vision 2030 and current economic blue print, the National Development Strategy 2 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.5These blueprints continue to guide the people of Zimbabwe in our ongoing pursuit to become a prosperous, empowered and inclusive upper middle- income society.
My Government’s engagements within the APRM dovetails with our nation’s constitutional provisions and laws. In particular, Section 9 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates the State to adopt and implement policies and legislation that promote efficient, transparent and accountable governance, at every level.
Similarly, Section 12 (2) of the Constitution underscores Zimbabwe’s commitment to pursue foreign policies that promote regional and continental cooperation, peace, and economic development. In this spirit, our collaboration, embodies these principles in practice and also reflect our long- standing belief in African-led solutions for African challenges.
Zimbabwe recognizes the importance of democracy, unity, peace and security as essential ingredients for sustainable development. The acceptance by my Administration to be reviewed, therefore, amplifies our pledge to the citizenry, that we are a people-centred Government. Their voices matter, hence our institutions and policies are open to analysis and improvement. Governance is not static, but ever-changing.
As such, the Second Republic is ready to continually evolve, in line with the needs and national interest of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
In all that we do, we remain guided by our national development philosophy that a “country is built, governed and prayed for, by its own people”
. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
At the African Union Summit of Heads of States and Government, held on 13th February 2026,
I had the honour to receive the Zimbabwe’s Targeted Review Report on ‘Economic Governance and Management’ which was subsequently Peer Reviewed by fellow African leaders.
Since then, my Government has taken into consideration the comprehensive recommendations made there-under, and developed a National Programme of Action Matrix.
We are determined to achieve equitable development that leaves no one and no place behind.
I am encouraged that Zimbabwe’s Targeted Review Report, highlights practices and home-grown solutions implemented by my Government in response to our national realities, while contributing to Africa’s broader development agenda.
Among the commendable practices we have adopted and operationalised include,
• Transformative leadership;
• The Land Reform Programme;
• Performance Contracting;
• Innovation under Heritage Based-Education 5.0;
• Village Business Units under Rural Development 8.0
Model and,
• Monetary Policy Revitalisation: “Back-to-Basics” Approach.
As Zimbabwe, we stand ready to share our experiences, innovations and successful models with fellow Member States of the African Union, as our contribution to collective progress, development and shared prosperity for the peoples of our continent.
To my fellow country-men and women, the APRM is not for Government alone, but for every Zimbabwean.
The Mechanism is a vital tool for inclusive growth, and sustainable socio-economic development. It aligns with our development philosophy, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene Cato/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
I, therefore, call upon all stakeholders, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, the Private Sector, Academia, and ordinary citizens to continue actively participating and engaging in the APRM processes.
Let us never shy away from improving our systems, hearing the views of the people we serve and appropriately adjusting our respective organisations and entities to meet the expectations of our stakeholders.
Our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe is on an irreversible and accelerated course to national economic development and prosperity. In this journey, we should always carry the majority of our people along, towards a higher quality of life.
Socio-economic gaps and disparities should be avoided and minimized across all sectors of the society. Let us draw lessons from our rich armed liberation war history, and stay inspired by the more recent victories such as over the negative impact of the heinous illegal sanctions imposed on our motherland, Zimbabwe.
We all have a duty to energetically embark on the journey ahead with renewed zeal and focus. As we do so, let us carry forward successful governance practices and boldly embrace many more new policy models, business strategies as well as partnerships to speed up modernisation and industrialisation of our country.
The country remains guided by national interests and development priorities. Our unique Zimbabwean and African identity, values and culture must never be compromised. We are masters of our own destiny; the realisation of the Zimbabwe we all want is in our hands.
Equally, let us be alive to our country’s obligations to advance Pan-Africanism, Regional and Continental integration, as well as unity, peace and security for the peoples of Africa. Zimbabwe is not an island, but a friend to all and an enemy of none.
Participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism will undoubtedly result in stronger national institutions, deepen reforms and help innovate systems while also entrenching development principles that stress efficiency and fairness, towards excellence in governance.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen; Invited Guests;
Allow me to take this opportunity to deeply appreciate the solidarity shown by SADC and African Union Member States in calling for the unconditional removal of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Zimbabwe by some Western countries following the Land Reform Programme.
May the journey of Zimbabwe, along with its twists and turns and the humble success milestones, highlighted in the Zimbabwe Targeted Review Report on ‘Economic Governance and Management’ serve as a source of inspiration of what we can achieve, as the independent and sovereign people of Africa and the Global South.
The obligation to build, modernise and develop our economies, leveraging on the rich resource endowments is on our shoulders. Partners may only assist the realisation of our respective visions and development priorities as set out, by ourselves. The days of running with the Agenda and narratives set elsewhere, in western capitals are over.
I call on us, the peoples of this great Continent to honour the Founding Fathers of our nations and the revolutionary luminaries who founded the Organisation of African Union, now the African Union, by doing our part to achieve African integration, unity, peace and economic sovereignty.
The aspirations of our ambitious young people, the hope of resilient women and dreams of hardworking entrepreneurs all depend on the actions we take. We do not have the luxury of failure.
In unity and the revolutionary spirit that propelled our forebears to defeat colonial bondage and oppression, this generation can equally achieve economic freedom.
A higher rate of development, modernisation and industrialisation as well as sustainable peace, security and stability on the African Continent can be achieved in our lifetime.
I, therefore, reaffirm my Government’s steadfast commitment to working in unison with fellow APRM Member States to realise our shared Continental aspirations.
Finally, may I once again express Zimbabwe’s full commitment to the ideals, principles and objectives of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Honourable Vice President Retired Major Jessica Alupo, please convey to my Dear Brother, President Museveni my warm regards and express that I look forward to working closely with him during Uganda’s tenure of this important initiative.
With these remarks, it is my distinct honour and privilege to declare the African Peer Review Mechanism in the
Republic of Zimbabwe officially launched.
I wish us continued success in the work ahead.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
God bless Africa.
I thank you.