ZIMBABWE is facing a big challenge: how to protect its economy from climate change, while also growing and developing. At the recent Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference in Victoria Falls, we talked about new ideas to do just that.
How we deal with climate change will shape Zimbabwe’s economy for many years to come.
Zimbabwe is very vulnerable to climate change. We are ranked 15th among countries most affected by extreme weather from 2000 to 2019, according to the Global Climate Risk Index.
Another study by the University of Notre Dame ranks Zimbabwe 137th out of 192 countries for climate vulnerability and 186th for readiness to face climate challenges. These numbers show a real threat to our people and economy.
Right now, we’re seeing how bad it can get. The current El Niño weather pattern has left over six million Zimbabweans without enough food. Our expected economic growth has dropped from 3,5% to 2%. And there might be more trouble coming with a La Niña weather pattern. We need to act fast to prepare for these climate risks.
But in these challenges, there’s also a chance for Zimbabwe to lead the way in finding new solutions. We can create plans that not only protect us from climate risks but also help our economy to grow in a sustainable way.
One big step is to use more renewable energy. The United Nations Development Programme’s Solar for Health project has put solar power in over 1 000 health centres across the country. This shows how clean energy can create jobs and bring new technology. If we do this in other areas like farming and factories, Zimbabwe could become a leader in green technology in Africa.
Farming is very important for our economy, so we need to focus on making it climate-smart. This means investing in crops that can survive drought, better ways to water plants and new technology to predict the weather. By combining these new ideas with traditional farming knowledge, we can create a strong farming sector that can handle climate shocks and produce enough food for everyone.
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Businesses need to be part of this change too. By adopting environmental and social standards and thinking about how to reuse and recycle more, Zimbabwean companies can attract more investment and work more efficiently. The government should create policies that encourage businesses to come up with green solutions and work together on climate-friendly projects.
We also need to build better infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather. This includes early warning systems for storms and floods, stronger roads and bridges and better water systems. These projects aren’t just about protection — they’re investments in Zimbabwe’s future economic stability and growth.
Of course, all of this needs money. Zimbabwe, like many developing countries, needs to find ways to pay for climate projects while also growing its economy. We should look for funding from international sources like the Green Climate Fund. To get this money, we need to show that we have good plans for sustainable development.
To make all this happen, everyone needs to work together — the government, businesses, community groups and universities. We need to create a culture where everyone thinks about climate change in their daily lives and work.
The challenges we face are big, but so are the opportunities. By tackling climate change, we can build a stronger, more sustainable and more prosperous Zimbabwe. We can even become an example for other countries in Africa and around the world.
We can’t make small changes anymore. Zimbabwe needs bold, new ideas that rethink how we develop our country in the face of climate change. As we stand at this important moment, let's choose to be innovative, resilient and grow in a sustainable way. Our future — and the future of our children — depends on what we do today.
- Ayodele Odusola is an experienced economist and development expert. He has worked in leadership roles at the United Nations for nearly 30 years. As the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative for Zimbabwe, Odusola works on new ways to reduce poverty, decrease inequality and help communities to deal with climate change.
