In order to facilitate the implementation of the National Development Strategy, Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) have signed two financing agreements totaling €47 million for electoral and health-related purposes (NDS1).
The agreements agreed on Monday are a component of Zimbabwe‘s 2022 Annual Action Plan for help from the European Union (EU). According to Treasury, the action is a crucial component of the nation’s development goal.
“The project will be implemented by the government, Ministry of Health and Child Care and UNICEF, and has the objective of saving lives, with a strategic focus on leaving no one behind.
“I would also like to applaud the EU for extending capacity-building support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as well as contributing immensely to democratic processes in Zimbabwe,” said Professor Mthuli Ncube, the Finance and Economic Development minister.
“In the field of health we have been working with the EU on various support programmes and projects such that this intervention comes at an opportune time when we intend to further enhance our primary health care,” said John Mangwiro the deputy minister of Health and Child Care.
“The level of support is commendable and we anticipate working with the EU on several capacity-building projects,” said Justice Priscilla Chigumba, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson.
The EU also outlined its action plan for Zimbabwe.
“This new fund builds on the previous achievements of the health development fund, a multi-donor fund financed by EU Sweden, United Kingdom and others, strengthening the capacity of the independent commission to deliver on their mandate is one of the strategies of the NDS 1, thus the EU will contribute to enhancing the institutional and technical capacity of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,” said His Excellency Ambassador Jobts von Kirchmann the European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
In addition to the two agreements, other finance deals for green economic growth and governance are anticipated to be completed the following year.
The financial arrangements are a part of Zimbabwe’s €148 million budget for the following two years from the European Union.