Zimbabwe Has Reduced Poverty By Almost Half: President Mnangagwa Tells World Summit

We’ve Halved Poverty: President Mnangagwa Tells World Summit

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has told world leaders that the country has achieved one of Africa’s most significant milestones in social progress — cutting poverty by nearly half since 1995. Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, on 4 November 2025, he said Zimbabwe’s poverty rate had dropped from 62 percent to 38.3 percent by 2019, crediting education, agriculture, and social-protection reforms for the success.

Major Gains In Poverty Reduction

Addressing delegates at the high-level global forum, President Mnangagwa said that Zimbabwe’s development journey had been guided by home-grown policies rooted in equality and social justice.

“In Zimbabwe, our national commitment is informed by the Constitution, which enshrines equality, social justice, and the right to development,” said the President.
“Poverty levels declined from 62 percent in 1995 to 38.3 percent in 2019, while access to education, healthcare, and social protection has improved significantly.”

According to The Herald, the President informed the summit that Zimbabwe had expanded the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), now covering 1.5 million learners annually, including children with disabilities. Meanwhile, the Health Assistance Fund ensures access to medical care for the most vulnerable citizens.

He also said that life expectancy had risen to 64.7 years, adult literacy now stands at 93.6 percent, and primary school enrolment has reached 88 percent — figures he described as “a testament to progress through resilience and innovation.”

Agriculture, Social Protection, And Economic Empowerment

The President attributed much of the progress to massive investment in agriculture and community-based programmes aimed at self-reliance.

“Through climate-smart agriculture, we have achieved successive bumper harvests in cash crops such as tobacco,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is now self-sufficient in wheat production, with a surplus for export.”

He added that digitised social registries had ensured that “no one and no place is left behind,” highlighting the integration of vulnerable communities into national development programmes.

Mnangagwa also cited ongoing labour reforms under the National Employment Policy Framework and the Decent Work Country Programme, saying unemployment had fallen to 20.5 percent from over 30 percent in the mid-1990s.

Global Recognition And Future Goals

Despite sanctions and restricted access to development finance, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was pressing ahead with reforms under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy. He urged the world to recognise Africa’s “special circumstances” and called for reforms to global financial systems.

“Progress remains constrained by coercive measures and climate shocks,” he said.
“Zimbabwe calls for debt relief and enhanced development financing consistent with the Seville Commitment on Financing for Development.”

He concluded by saying Zimbabwe’s development successes demonstrated its readiness to contribute globally, reaffirming the country’s bid for a non-permanent United Nations Security Council seat for the 2027-2028 term.

“Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy to none,” Mnangagwa told delegates.
“We stand ready to build a peaceful, just, and inclusive world where no one and no place is left behind.”