Zimbabwe leverages data to drive national development
Chengetai Murimwa
Zimbabwe’s latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is set to play a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based policymaking, tracking national development targets, and guiding social sector investments at both national and sub-national levels, UNICEF has said.
The large-scale survey, conducted under strong government leadership and with support from development partners, will provide policymakers with reliable data to inform the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2), Vision 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking on the importance of the survey, UNICEF Zimbabwe Chief of Social Policy, Pepukai Chiwore, said MICS will strengthen the country’s ability to design and adjust policies based on evidence rather than assumptions.
“We expect stakeholders to use the results for policymaking, programme implementation and reporting, depending on the level,” said Chiwore. “At national level, the data will inform policies developed by ministries and departments and support the implementation of NDS-2, as well as tracking progress towards Vision 2030 and the SDGs.”
Chiwore added that the survey will generate trend data on key SDG indicators from 2025 to 2030, enabling the government to monitor progress, identify gaps, and take corrective action where indicators show negative trends.
“If we see that indicators are pointing southwards, corrective action can be taken. Where progress is positive, it allows the government to sustain and strengthen what is working,” he said.
The data will also play a critical role in assessing achievements under NDS-1, which concludes in 2025, providing an evidence base for government reporting on progress made during the strategy’s implementation period.
At sub-national level, MICS data is disaggregated down to provincial, district, and ward levels, empowering local authorities to design targeted programmes in areas such as water and sanitation, education, health, and other social services.
“Sub-national governments can use the results to inform programmes at district and ward level, ensuring that interventions respond to real needs on the ground,” Chiwore noted.
He added that the survey will also guide development partners and international organisations in identifying priority areas for support, while strengthening Zimbabwe’s reporting on global commitments, including the SDGs.
Beyond immediate policy use, Chiwore said the survey signals Zimbabwe’s growing commitment to strengthening national data systems under NDS-2.
“Government has made a clear commitment to strengthen data systems, including across ministries, departments and agencies. The level of coordination, financial contribution and technical involvement in MICS demonstrates national ownership and a shift towards evidence-informed policymaking,” he said.
Zimbabwe has also positioned itself as a regional and global leader in data innovation after becoming one of the first countries to pilot the Foundational Learning Skills module under MICS, which assesses early numeracy and learning outcomes among young children.
“Zimbabwe is now a case study for the rest of the world on how to implement this new module. Other countries will learn from Zimbabwe’s experience as they roll it out,” said Chiwore.
He said continued investment in large-scale surveys and administrative data systems would ensure that future policies and programmes are grounded in credible, timely, and high-quality data.
