The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has called on local authorities to streamline business licensing, improve service delivery and adopt predictable municipal policies to attract investment and support economic growth under the country’s next development blueprint.
The call was made during a high-level dissemination meeting on the baseline report assessing local government readiness to implement the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), convened by the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ).
ZNCC, which represents private-sector interests, was represented by its Matabeleland vice-president, Sithatshisiwe Khumalo, and regional manager, Mduduzi Ncube.
The chamber said local authorities have a critical role to play in translating national development priorities into practical economic outcomes by creating an environment in which businesses can operate, invest and expand.
It emphasised the need for efficient municipal services, transparent and predictable policies, streamlined licensing procedures and stronger public-private partnerships to ensure that national development targets translate into tangible results at the local level.
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For businesses, the conduct of local authorities can influence the cost and ease of operations, the time required to secure licences and approvals, and the attractiveness of investing in particular communities. ZNCC’s position places local government administration at the centre of efforts to improve the business environment and strengthen private-sector participation in development.
The chamber also stressed that successful implementation of NDS2 would require meaningful engagement with businesses, institutional accountability and measurable outcomes capable of stimulating industrial growth, improving competitiveness and creating employment.
Its intervention highlights the importance of aligning national economic ambitions with the practical conditions businesses encounter in municipalities, where access to services and the efficiency of regulatory processes can influence investment decisions.
ZNCC said it remained committed to working with PPRIZ, local authorities and other stakeholders to narrow the gap between policy formulation and implementation, with the aim of making local economic development a driver of sustainable business growth and national prosperity.
The meeting focused on local government readiness for NDS2 implementation. However, the statement did not disclose the baseline report’s specific findings, readiness scores or the local authorities identified as facing the greatest implementation challenges.
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