Zimbabwe Launches National Migration Data Strategy to Strengthen Evidence-Based Migration Governance

By Dickson Bandera

The Government of Zimbabwe, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), today officially launched the National Migration Data Strategy (NMDS) 2025-2030 at the Department of Immigration Headquarters, Chingaira Building, marking a significant step towards strengthening evidence-based migration governance and development planning.

Zimbabwe is a country of origin, transit and destination, with migration intersecting key national priorities that include investment, labour, remittances, urbanization, protection, climate shocks and regional mobility.

While progress has been made through policies such as the National Development Strategy (NDS2), the National Migration Policy and the National Labour Migration Policy, gaps in migration data have continued to limit the ability of institutions to generate timely, comparable and policy-relevant evidence.

The National Migration Data Strategy responds to these challenges by providing a coordinated, nationally owned framework to improve migration data collection, management, analysis and use.

The Strategy promotes harmonized concepts and definitions, strengthened data disaggregation, including by sex, age and vulnerability. It further enhances coordination and data sharing across government institutions and aligns Zimbabwe’s migration data efforts with regional and global commitments, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Migration Policy Framework, Agenda 2030 and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms. Diana Cartier, IOM Zimbabwe Chief of Mission, highlighted the importance of reliable migration data in shaping inclusive and effective policies.

“The National Migration Data Strategy marks a critical shift towards a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to migration governance. By strengthening data quality, accessibility and use, Zimbabwe is better equipped to develop policies that protect migrants, support national development and respond to evolving migration dynamics,” she said.

The strategy is the result of a multi-year consultative process involving key Ministries, Departments and Agencies, academia and development partners. It was developed through nationwide consultations, a comprehensive baseline assessment and validation workshops coordinated through the Migration Statistics Technical Working Group (MSTWG).

Ms. Respect Gono, the Chief Director of the Department of Immigration, emphasized the operational value of the Strategy for migration management and national planning.

“As a custodian of strategic migration data, the generating of accurate and timely migration data by the Department of Immigration, has increasingly become essential for informed decision-making for various government ministries, departments, agencies, academia and civil society in the interest of national development and security.

The National Migration Data Strategy provides a clear framework for institutions to work together in generating trusted and policy-relevant migration data in support of national priorities,” she noted.

ZIMSTAT will play a central role in coordinating and quality-assuring migration statistics, working closely with line ministries and partners to ensure consistency with national statistical standards.

According to Perfect Makumbe the Demographic Analysis Manager at ZIMSTAT, the Strategy strengthens the national statistical system and promotes sustainable data practices.

“The NMDS strengthens the national statistical system by clarifying roles, improving coordination and embedding migration data within official statistics. It ensures that migration data is not only collected, but also analysed, disseminated and used responsibly to inform planning and development,” Makumbe said.

The National Migration Data Strategy is accompanied by a costed, phased Multi-Year Implementation Action Plan (2025-2030), with mechanisms for annual monitoring, a mid-term review and a final evaluation.

The Strategy also reaffirms the Migration Statistics Technical Working Group as a key coordination platform to support implementation and sustained collaboration.

Through the NMDS, Zimbabwe positions migration data as a strategic asset for inclusive development, policy coherence and the protection of migrants’ rights, ensuring that migration governance is grounded in evidence and responsive to national and regional priorities.