Harare, Zimbabwe, 6 May 2025 - The Data for Development and Innovation (DFDI) Technical Working Group on May 6 held its first quarter meeting of 2025 marking a successful start to the year's national data coordination efforts.

Building on the momentum from 2024, the half-day meeting brought together representatives from the Government of Zimbabwe, the United Nations, development partners, the private sector and civil society organizations to reflect on key data priorities for 2025.

“We are grateful to all our partners for their unwavering support to the #DFDI platform,” said the Zimstat Director General Ms. Tafadzwa Bandama. “Your collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to data-driven development. ZIMSTAT remains dedicated to working with all partners to advance Zimbabwe’s data ecosystem.”

The meeting focused on several crucial issues, including an update on 2024 interventions , consolidating the 2025 DFDI Joint Workplan, and reviewing progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) data availability. Notably, Zimbabwe has reported data for 83% of prioritized SDG indicators, and ZIMSTAT showcased the SDGs Data Portal to enhance data access for stakeholders.

A key discussion centered on the current applicable legal instruments that have implications on Zimbabwe's data agenda, with participants engaging in deliberations and calling for the speedy amendment of the Census and Statistical Act. Additionally, ZIMSTAT provided an update on plans for evaluating the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) III and designing NSDS IV.

The meeting yielded several significant outputs including:

• Validated 2025 DFDI Joint Workplan: A comprehensive roadmap aligning data initiatives with national priorities.
• Advancing Policy and Legal Reforms: A proposal to amend the Census and Statistics Act to create an enabling environment for data and innovation ecosystem.
• Building Resilient Data Ecosystems: In light of evolving global dynamics, including shifts in foreign policy and development assistance, there is an urgent need to diversify and stabilize financing for data systems. This includes mobilizing domestic resources, leveraging private sector partnerships, and deepening development cooperation.
• NSDS Review Roadmap: A structured plan to evaluate and enhance the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics.
• SDG Data Availability Progress Review: An in-depth assessment of Zimbabwe's progress in data availability for SDGs, including data timeliness.

The DFDI Technical Working Group remains committed to strengthening data coordination and utilization to support Zimbabwe's development goals. The outputs from this meeting will guide future actions and ensure a harmonized approach to data collection and analysis.

“The #DFDI platform remains a cornerstone for coordination, statistical transformation & evidence-informed development in Zimbabwe,” said Ms. Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Representative & DFDI co-chair.

“The UN values its role in supporting Government of Zimbabwe in generating quality, disaggregated data for tracking development frameworks including among others the Sustainable Development Goals, The PACT of the Future,National Development Strategy 1, the forthcoming NDS2 & the International Conference on Population and Development - Programme of Action.”

- By Bertha Shoko, UNFPA Zimbabwe Innovation, Communication and Visibility Specialist