The Sunday Mail
Farai Marapira
DESPITE facing illegal debilitating sanctions imposed by Western countries led by the United States for more than two decades, Zimbabwe has been making significant strides in its journey towards economic development.
Through resilience, political will, effective leadership, operative policies and determination of its people, the country is steadily moving forward, defying the odds posed by these sanctions.
Stability and reform have been the instrumental strategies in effecting State-led development that is pulling millions out of poverty caused by the sanctions.
Sanctions were imposed to nurture the regime change agenda by Zimbabwe’s nemeses from the West. Stability, achieved over the course of President Mnangagwa’s first term, has been one of the major factors driving Zimbabwe’s economic development.
The Government has implemented crucial reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and attracting foreign investment.
These measures have bolstered investor confidence and created an environment conducive to sustained growth.
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Zimbabwe’s total foreign direct investment inflows (FDIs) increased from US$243 million in 2017 to US$745 million in 2018, a mammoth leap in growth of 207 percent.
In 2019, FDI inflows continued to rise, exceeding US$745 million, signalling sustained investor confidence in the country’s economy.
The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index showed that Zimbabwe made significant improvements in its business regulatory environment.
In the 2020 review, Zimbabwe climbed 15 places to rank 140th out of 190 countries, up from 155th in the previous year.
Notable improvements were observed in several areas — including registering property, accessing credit, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. These figures demonstrate Zimbabwe’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and attracting much-needed investments.
Agricultural revitalisation and mechanisation represent another cross-cutting legendary statecraft technique implemented by President Mnangagwa in his display of political acumen and dexterity.
Agriculture, being the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, has enjoyed significant scientific improvements. Innovative empirical programmes such as the Command Agriculture initiative (now named National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme), Pfumvudza/Intwasa and Command Livestock have been instrumental in facilitating increased crop production, promoting food security and transforming livelihoods of rural communities.
This sector is attracting both local and international investments, leading to higher productivity and export potential.
Already, Zimbabwe is producing surplus maize and wheat and is looking at, in the President’s words, making agriculture the pillar for a vibrant manufacturing industry.
In addition, Zimbabwe boasts vast reserves of natural resources, including gold, platinum, diamonds and coal. Despite the economic sanctions, the mining sector has thrived due to increased transparency, attracting FDI and encouraging local growth in the sector.
Government’s efforts to modernise the sector and ensure responsible mining practices have further amplified its contribution to the country’s economic growth, which resulted in the attainment of the targeted US$12 billion mining economy by this year.
Investments in infrastructure play a vital role in supporting economic development.
Zimbabwe has made substantial progress in this area, focusing on rehabilitation and expansion of critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports and energy facilities.
These infrastructure projects not only enhance connectivity within the country but also boost trade and regional integration, setting the stage for further economic growth.
Zimbabwe boasts incredible natural wonders, including the majestic Victoria Falls and pristine national parks. Despite the economic sanctions, the tourism industry has witnessed a revival, attracting a growing number of international visitors.
Government’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices and development of world-class hospitality facilities has helped showcase Zimbabwe as a premier tourist destination in the region and the world at large.
Empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been one of the priorities of the Second Republic. Recognising the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth, Zimbabwe has implemented initiatives to support development and growth of these enterprises.
Access to finance, entrepreneurship training and market linkages are being strengthened to empower SMEs and foster innovation, job creation and poverty alleviation.
Zimbabwe’s resilience and determination have propelled the country towards economic development, despite challenges imposed by economic sanctions. Through stability, policy reforms and investments in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure, tourism and SMEs, Zimbabwe is establishing a sustainable path towards prosperity.
As the country continues on this trajectory, it is crucial for the international community to recognise and support these positive developments, as a prosperous Zimbabwe benefits not only its citizens but also fosters regional stability and economic growth.
Despite the relative successes Zimbabwe has made under this restraining environment of sanctions, it is essential to highlight how sanctions expose vulnerable groups in society.
Sanctions, from the medieval days of sieges, are designed to achieve capitulation of the besieged country through widespread suffering of the impoverished populace.
In false justification by the imposers, sanctions are supposed to apply pressure on targeted State officials and not the generality of its populace. However, the effectiveness of sanctions in this regard has been widely debated, especially when evaluating their ineffectiveness against political goals in countries such as Zimbabwe, Russia and Cuba.
Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and the European Union (EU) came into effect in the early 2000s.
The sanctions were meant to pressure the populace to bow to the regime change agenda.
White monopoly capital feigning to be democratic advocacy sought to reverse the gains of the Land Reform Programme in particular and goals of the liberation struggle in general.
However, despite nearly two decades of sanctions, Zimbabwe remains politically faithful to the ethos and values for which tens of thousands paid the ultimate sacrifice, while hundreds of thousands were maimed, displaced and made to carry physical, emotional and psychological injuries.
In Cuba, the US imposed harsh sanctions since the 1960s in an attempt to force the communist regime to transition to “democracy”.
Despite decades of sanctions, the Cuban government remains in power, and the embargo has had little effect on Cuba’s political outlook. Instead, the embargo has made it difficult for Cuban citizens to access basic goods and services, creating profound suffering among the local population.
Sanctions have also had little impact on Russia’s political situation.
Following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the US and the EU imposed economic sanctions on Russia, intending to harm its economy and force political concessions.
However, Russia remains a powerful and influential global player, and its political outlook has not changed. Instead, as in Cuba and Zimbabwe, it has been strengthened, with nationalistic fervour growing.
So, while sanctions may appear to be a viable political tool on the surface, they have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective in achieving their intended goals. They mainly cause suffering of the generality of the population.
Sanctions, as a political tool, have failed in Zimbabwe; they only serve to slow down our steady growth.
They are arbitrary and illegal, and Zimbabwe, like any other nation, has a right to thrive and blossom to its full potential.
Farai Marapira is the ZANU PF Director of Information and Publicity
