Parliament Urged to Prioritize Research for Improved Policies and a Stronger Economic Future
The Parliament of Zimbabwe has been urged to prioritize research-driven policymaking to foster sustainable development and a stronger economic and mining future for the country, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
These remarks were made by Farai Mutondoro of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) on Friday at the 2024 CSOs-Parliament Indaba, organized by ZELA and ActionAid. The event ran under the theme, “Positioning CSOs’ Submissions into the 2025 National Budget on Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) Strategies and Responsible Mining Standards in the Mining Sector.”
Speaking at the event, Mutondoro emphasized the need for research and development (R&D) to inform legislative and oversight functions, ensuring that policies are data-driven and reflective of the country’s long-term needs.
He noted that Zimbabwe could learn from nations like China, which heavily invest in research to shape their policies. Mutondoro urged Parliament to allocate more resources towards R&D, particularly in sectors like mining, which remain critical to the economy but face sustainability challenges.
“Zimbabwe’s mining sector must focus on responsible mining practices that balance economic benefits with environmental protection,” Mutondoro said, adding that policy decisions should be informed by comprehensive data to prevent future environmental degradation and economic losses.
He further encouraged lawmakers to be open to challenging existing frameworks and seeking innovative solutions, stressing the importance of transformative research in shaping a better future for all Zimbabweans.
The call for research-led policies comes as Zimbabwe aims to meet its targets under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritizes sustainable growth across sectors.