Zimbabwe’s 2030 Population and Opportunities

Zimbabwe is projected to have a population of 23million by 2023 and that is 9 years away from now. The rate of population growth is ranges from 2.4-3% so good folks, the country is going to have more citizens than we currently have!

The current proportion of youths is estimated at 67.7% but by 2030 they may well be above 80%. Now here are some important considerations;

• The land size is not going to expand but will remain CONSTANT,
• The housing backlog will continue to increase until it becomes a security risk,
• In rural areas most of the idle land will be occupied with more pressure for resettlement,
• The NDS projects the internet penetration rate of 75% by 2025 so by 2030 could well be above 80%,

This helps explain why Strive Masiyiwa is constantly talking about the future with the youth in mind. If you are not talking about the future of opportunities that include an increased population where technology plays an influential role, then you are offside!

Opportunity wise, what does it mean to be around 2030?

Food Opportunities: Its common sense, we need to improve our efficiency in food production to cater for increased population. Our farms should ramp up production by mechanisation and effective use.

Tech Opportunities: Tech revolution already underway with 4IR and will affect every sphere of life from food, health, transport, education, entertainment, employment and more.

Green Opportunities: Climatic change is the driver of green energy—reduction of carbon dioxide emissions at the core of priorities. Already most Western countries have banned fuel powered vehicles production beyond 2030. This sector has catapulted Elon Musk to the top of the billionaires table. We are going to have our own African billionaires too connected to this area. As we have witnessed over the past few years–climatic change is real—3 cyclones in the 2021 rain season (Chalane, Eloise and Guambe), this is unprecedented and in future expect even 10 cyclones in one season, or a cyclone in June? Expect prolonged drought seasons too. Later during the year expect some earth movements as the earth crust adjust to the increased water levels. So to those in the Eastern region, small earth tremors are automatic this year and over the years they could increase in intensity. Do carry out a Green Opportunities Value Chain that looks at alternative energy, new housing models and more

Housing Opportunities: The current housing backlog estimated at 1,5 million. What is it likely to be in 2030? Obviously bigger and the question is will Harare accommodate more than 2 million residents? Will the city have enough land for double its population size? There is going to be a movement of urban to rural migration which is why it’s extremely important to guard and protect your current rural area land—there are going to be serious conflicts related to land in the coming years. On a construction tip, who is going to be constructing homes for the extra population? Who is going to provide inputs?

Global Opportunities: We doubt whether many countries are having this discourse on the future of opportunities, therefore to those fortunate to bump into this, consider cheap land in Zambia and Malawi for farming purposes as an investment for future generations, consider the new opportunities brought by an increased globalised world. Cheap internet charges, all rural areas with access to the internet. The question is who will provide the 4IR gadgets? Shops that sell cellphones, laptops, ipads are not closing anytime soon—infact will be expanding! Fintech opportunities to expand, the online population to expand too with probably 15 million Zimbabweans connected to the internet. Online schools from as far as Japan could well be providing lessons to Zimbabweans through robots. Our forum which reached 1 million views in February could well be attracting 10 million views with a community of over a million members. Crypto currencies could be the norm—finally accepted across the globe as a currency of choice.

So dear Zbinite, pause for a while and think about how the world will look like in 2030, look back at how the world looked like in 2010 and the changes you have seen. The rate of change in the next 5-10 years will even be faster with everything centred around technology and an increased young population.

Of course we do not often have the luxury of looking far into the future but in the developed world, they do and this is why we highly recommend following developments in the developed world and for Africans, Strive Masiyiwa is the mouth piece of the future, young populations, technology and opportunities—ignore him at your own peril.