Hon. Vangelis Haritatos, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
By Edward Makuzva
Water and sanitation are fundamental to Africa’s development ambitions, as they directly impact key social and economic indicators, according to Hon. Vangelis Haritatos, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
Speaking at the official opening of the Southern Africa Sub-regional Meeting on the Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Policy in Harare on Tuesday in the capital, Haritatos emphasized the continent’s need for sustainable water management.
“As we move forward, Zimbabwe is committed to working alongside other Member States and stakeholders in the region to shape the water and sanitation agenda for Africa. The continent’s aspirations for economic growth, social transformation, regional integration, trade, peace, and security all rely on ensuring sustainable water access for all purposes,” he stated.
Haritatos reaveled that Zimbabwe, through its National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), has set an ambitious goal: ensuring that at least 90% of its population has access to clean, safe, and adequate water by 2025. Beyond improving access to water and sanitation, these efforts will also unlock potential in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing.
Zimbabwe’s Water Infrastructure Drive
Over the past five years, Zimbabwe has undertaken an extensive dam construction initiative, launching new projects and reviving stalled ones. Currently, the country is working on 12 high-impact dams to enhance water security in urban centers and create new opportunities for irrigation. These projects are part of Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to build resilience against climate change.
Additionally, the government is prioritizing rural water security through the Presidential Rural Development 8.0 Programme, which aims to benefit over 1.8 million rural households. Under this initiative, the government plans to drill 35,000 boreholes, each equipped with solar pumps, panels, water tanks, fish ponds, and nutrition gardens—forming Village Business Units (VBUs). A similar approach is being applied to 9,600 rural schools, establishing School Business Units to ensure water access in educational institutions.
Water as a Driver of Economic Growth
Minister Haritatos highlighted that Zimbabwe envisions water as a catalyst for rural industrialization, which, in turn, will drive economic development. By fostering self-sustaining rural economies, the initiative aims to reduce urban migration and alleviate pressure on cities.
“Water is a critical enabler of economic activity across all sectors. Effective water management and sanitation services directly contribute to economic growth, job creation, labor productivity, and overall well-being,” he concluded.
With its focus on water security and sustainable development, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s drive towards a water-secure future, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the African Union Commission, the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and various stakeholders from Zimbabwe’s water, sanitation, and private sectors.
