By Own Correspondent

Zimbabwe’s tertiary education sector is emerging as a powerful engine for workforce development, according to the latest figures from the 2025 National Competitiveness Baseline Survey.

The research, led by ZIMSTAT and the National Competitiveness Commission, found that the country’s universities and colleges achieved an impressive 79.5 percent score for effectively equipping students with the skills needed by local industries.

This result not only dispels the long-standing myth of unemployable graduates, but it also spotlights the nation's educational institutions as critical partners in shaping a workforce primed for modern economic demands.

The importance of this finding extends beyond the classroom and into the heart of Zimbabwe’s labour market.

Rather than focusing resources on overhauling tertiary curricula, policymakers are now encouraged to channel efforts into fostering an environment where skilled graduates can find meaningful employment and play a leading role in industrial expansion. With tertiary education now proven to be aligned with industry needs, the challenge has shifted to creating jobs that fully utilize this emerging talent pool.

The survey, which assessed multiple dimensions including innovativeness, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability, illustrates that Zimbabwe possesses a valuable human capital advantage. While the overall competitiveness score came in at 58.5 out of 100 placing Zimbabwe in the “moderate” category, the robust performance of tertiary education stands out as a bright spot. Furthermore, ratings for inclusiveness and innovation support the view that there is a fair and dynamic foundation for labour mobilization and equal opportunity across sectors.

Nonetheless, the survey also highlights persistent hurdles for the Zimbabwean workforce. Issues such as limited job creation in green industries, challenges associated with corruption, and high business costs continue to constrain employment opportunities and have a knock-on effect on broader economic performance.

In this context, the sustainability score—lowest among the four measured pillars indicates the need for renewed commitment to climate-conscious job growth and investments in future-proof industries.

For Zimbabwe, the path forward is clear: with an education system capable of producing skilled graduates, the country’s next phase of progress will depend on an industrial strategy that puts its workforce at the center.

By translating academic achievement into productive, high-quality jobs, Zimbabwe has the opportunity to redefine its economic landscape and secure inclusive prosperity for its people.