Zimbabwe calls for data-driven policymaking

Published: 2 hours ago

The Government of Zimbabwe has called for a radical shift towards data-driven policymaking to address long-standing trade and transport challenges that hinder economic growth in landlocked nations. The call comes amid increasing concerns that high logistics costs, inefficiencies at border posts, and outdated trade facilitation systems are undermining the competitiveness of southern African countries in global markets.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary, Joy Makumbe, made the call during a United Nations-backed workshop held in Harare this week. The workshop, which focused on transforming data into actionable solutions for trade and transport efficiency, gathered experts from various sectors to discuss how best to harness data for policy reforms in landlocked developing countries (LLDCs).

"It is both an honour and a responsibility to speak on a theme that strikes at the heart of development for landlocked developing countries, from data to policy," Makumbe told the audience. "We gather to bridge the gap between knowledge and action, between data and decision-making in transport and trade facilitation."

Makumbe stressed the importance of transforming reliable data into context-specific, actionable solutions that could make trade more efficient, inclusive, and responsive to local economic conditions. She explained that LLDCs like Zimbabwe face unique structural challenges, such as limited access to seaports, high transport costs, poor energy access, and inadequate digital connectivity, which all contribute to reduced competitiveness in global trade.

"The lack of direct access for countries such as Zimbabwe to the sea increases transport costs, reduces competitiveness, and limits participation in global trade," she said. "Many LLDCs also face constraints in energy access, digital connectivity, and climate resilience. These challenges are not new, but our tools to address them can be redefined and customized to meet our current realities and diverse economies."

Makumbe's remarks underscore the urgency of adopting a more data-centric approach to trade and transport reform. She emphasized that effective use of data could unlock solutions to these persistent problems, boosting both domestic and regional economies. The Government of Zimbabwe has already launched several initiatives aimed at modernizing trade facilitation, such as the ongoing upgrades to the Beitbridge and Chirundu border posts, which are expected to reduce clearance delays and cut costs for exporters.

Border inefficiencies, analysts say, have long inflated the cost of moving goods across southern Africa, hindering both intra-regional and international trade. Zimbabwe, as a critical transit route linking landlocked countries to ports in Mozambique, South Africa, and beyond, has the potential to become a regional logistics hub. However, experts agree that realizing this potential requires substantial investment in infrastructure, streamlined customs procedures, and harmonized regulatory frameworks across borders.

"Let us remember that every dataset represents people, traffic, or transactions. Traders waiting at a border, students walking miles to school, entrepreneurs seeking access to markets. When we improve how we use data, we improve lives," Makumbe said, highlighting the real-world impact of data-driven decision-making.

The Transport and Infrastructural Development secretary also emphasized the need for greater regional cooperation, urging stakeholders to move beyond siloed thinking and collaborate on trade and transport reforms. She called for partnerships between governments, academia, and the private sector to turn shared data into tangible progress for LLDCs.

"No country and no institution can do this alone. Regional cooperation, South-South learning, and partnerships are crucial for turning shared data into shared progress," she noted.

Makumbe's comments reflect a broader push across Africa to modernize trade logistics and improve the efficiency of cross-border trade. In many LLDCs, exporters face multiple checkpoints, inconsistent customs procedures, and fragmented digital systems, all of which inflate logistics costs and deter investment. By harnessing accurate and timely data, policymakers hope to streamline operations, reduce bottlenecks, and make supply chains more predictable and efficient.

"The focus on data-driven reforms is a game-changer. Every decision we make based on accurate data can improve lives and livelihoods," Makumbe said.

For Zimbabwe, which already plays a critical role as a transit hub for neighboring countries, the successful implementation of these data-driven reforms could help lower transport and trade costs, attract foreign investment, and solidify the country's position as a regional logistics leader. However, experts warn that failure to act could leave Zimbabwe behind as neighboring LLDCs modernize their trade and transport systems and integrate more effectively into global supply chains.

The workshop, which forms part of the broader United Nations-endorsed Awaza Decade of Action initiative, aims to support LLDCs in improving trade facilitation, transport infrastructure, and sustainable economic development. Makumbe expressed hope that the outcomes of the workshop would not remain mere recommendations but would serve as the foundation for stronger, evidence-based policies that advance the objectives of the Decade of Action.

"If we succeed, the outcomes of this workshop will not just be recommendations on paper, but the foundation for stronger, evidence-based policies that advance the Awaza Decade of Action," Makumbe concluded.

As Zimbabwe moves forward, the government hopes to turn data from an underutilized resource into a strategic tool for economic transformation. By focusing on evidence-based decision-making, regional collaboration, and innovation, Zimbabwe aims to create a more efficient, inclusive, and competitive trade and transport system-one that can bring tangible benefits to businesses, entrepreneurs, and citizens alike.
- Newsday

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