2023 marked a significant milestone – the halfway point towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Zimbabwe, like many countries, faces challenges on this path.

However, as an African proverb wisely says,

“If you are building a house and a nail breaks, do you stop building or do you change the nail?”

Zimbabwe has embraced this spirit, adapting, and innovating to overcome obstacles.

UNDP remains a steadfast partner, connecting people, ideas, and resources.

In 2023, we doubled down on efforts with a ripple effect on the SDGs. Our strategic interventions drove progress on all aspects of the SDGs: People, Planet, Prosperity, and Peace.

• We supported healthcare, ensuring continued HIV treatment for over 1 million and a robust medical supply chain.
• 9 irrigation schemes were developed for food security, 150 rural households switched to clean biogas and over 270,000 trees planted.
• Climate-smart agriculture practices reached over 540,000 farmers.
• Savings and Lending Groups fostered self-reliance, collectively saving over US$260,000 for members.
• Policy advocacy led to key recommendations on domestic resource mobilization being adopted in the 2024 national budget.
• The virtual court system reduced caseloads and improved access to justice.
• We also contributed to national voter education reaching 5.9 million people.

These are just a few highlights from 2023. This report goes beyond statistics. We share the stories of the remarkable people and communities driving these changes.

This progress would not be possible without our dedicated partners:

• The Government of Zimbabwe at all levels.
• Our development partners whose generous support we channel towards the country’s development.
• And mostly importantly, the men, women, and young people in the communities we serve.

As we move forward, our commitment to Zimbabwe remains steadfast.

Particularly, we stand ready to assist in the recovery from the devastating effects of the El Niño drought, as well as in bolstering efforts towards re-engagement and clearing debts and arrears. Internally, we are streamlining our programmes to ensure optimal delivery, maximum impact, and broader reach within the limited time frame for SDG attainment. A strong focus will also be on expanding initiatives aimed at fostering prosperity, ultimately benefiting all Zimbabweans.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We invite you to explore the stories within.

Enjoy!