Zimbabwe’s performance-based governance system is beginning to show results after 20 out of 25 Cabinet ministers met their set targets, according to the latest government evaluation under the country’s public sector performance contracts framework.
The results were announced during the signing ceremony for the 2026 Performance-Based Contracts held at the Harare International Conference Centre, where government officials renewed their commitment to measurable service delivery and accountability.
Speaking at the event, Emmerson Mnangagwa said the performance contracts represent a fundamental shift in how government officials are evaluated. He said:
“Under the Second Republic, the days of ‘business as usual’ are behind us. These contracts are not just documents; they are a sacred pact between the Government and the people of Zimbabwe.”
Zimbabwe government says 20 Ministers Met Performance Targets
According to the official evaluation, 20 Cabinet ministers met their targets, while five fell below the benchmark but remained within acceptable variance limits, meaning their performance did not significantly deviate from expected outcomes.
The assessment also reviewed senior civil service leadership. Out of 25 Permanent Secretaries, 16 met their performance targets, while nine were below the target but still within acceptable variance.
Among Deputy Ministers, the results showed 16 met their targets, while 10 fell slightly below but remained within the allowed variance range.
Government officials say the performance contracting system is designed to ensure that senior public officials deliver measurable outcomes tied to national development priorities.
The framework aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2, the country’s medium-term economic plan, and the long-term transformation agenda known as Vision 2030, which aims to position Zimbabwe as an upper middle-income economy.
Recognition was also given to outstanding performers across government institutions. In the independent commissions category, Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, was named first runner-up for performance excellence in service delivery for 2025.
Several cabinet ministers were also recognised for outstanding performance. These included Barbara Rwodzi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry; Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; and Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Analysts say the performance contracting model is part of broader governance reforms aimed at strengthening accountability in public institutions. By linking leadership evaluation to national development targets, authorities hope to accelerate progress towards economic growth, improved service delivery, and institutional efficiency.
With the 2026 contracts now signed, attention shifts to implementation, and whether ministries will translate their commitments into measurable results for ordinary Zimbabweans.
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