This presentation summarises how the nature of work is changing in Zimbabwe's Agriculture and Mining Sectors.

1. Changing Nature of work in
Zimbabwe.
AND HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN PREPARE AND SUPPORT THE WORKFORCE

2. Zimbabwe Economic Landscape Background
Zimbabwe is predominantly agro-based with over 80% of the farmers being subsistence
farmers.
The second largest sector is the mining sector with about 30% share in the Zimbabwean
economy.
Approximately 98% of the Zimbabwean labor force is in the informal sector.
The country is battling 90% unemployment rates and is in hyperinflation such that the
inflation statistics have been frozen from publication until further notice.

4. Zimbabwe nature of work in the 90’s
The table below shows the distribution of formal employment by sector during the
selected period.

5. It can be seen from the trend there that in 1980 when Zimbabwe attained Independence, the strongest
contributors to employment in Zimbabwe were Agriculture, Manufacturing and Mining.
There is however a general decrease in employment across all sectors until 2014 and all the way to 2019
though not covered in the table.
To date the formal unemployment rate has ballooned and only about 5% of the workforce supports
government activities in maintaining Healthcare, Food security and trade.
The 5% active formally employed suffer from very high taxation as the government tries to sustain the
economy with the taxation of this little population.
The informal sector isn’t directly taxed and hence create a massive loophole for externalization and tax
evasion.
The hyper-inflationary period has also given rise to multi-millionaires who are not paying taxes and
responsible for crippling the economy further due to corruption.

6. FUTURE OF
JOBS SURVEY
- 2018

7. HOW SOCIETIES CAN
BENEFIT FROM THE
POTENTIAL OF
TECHNOLOGY

8. Technology and Nature of work in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is one country that has broken the inflation record until inflation is no longer measurable.
There is total darkness in the country with household and businesses spending close to 12 hours per day
without electricity.
With this background alone, technology can not exist without power as everything is nearly electronic.
Zimbabwe can't think of Artificial Intelligence in its current state until power is restored to normalcy.
But is this a deterrent? …….. The Zimbabweans are very tech-savvy people who are very flexible to
whatever their government presents and will always float above the water through other means.

9. General Trends: Agriculture & Mining
Though previously Zimbabwe enjoyed a fair share of commercial farming and subsistence, in some crop types the
production is going down whilst increasing in some, for instance maize production is dwindling whilst Tobacco
production is increasing.
Most of Zimbabwe’s food imports come from neighboring countries including Botswana, Zambia, South Africa
and Mozambique.
Therefore the 4th industrial revolution where some roles will become redundant from automation is something to
worry about in a more economically stable Zimbabwe, when the Economy is right and Foreign Currency is
available.
However, presently, though to a minor impact, the effect of automation is Agriculture is being experienced.

10. The biggest threat in Agriculture will be automated tractors and automated combined harvesters which
will take over the tasks conducted by people. in some farms, their effect is already being witnessed.
In mining the biggest threat will come from unattended mining plant and machinery which are
operated by robots. These are already in operation in some mines in Zimbabwe. Some job positions
like boom gates at the mines are also now automated rendering some people jobless.

11. Main obstacles to addressing joblessness arising from automation.
Lack of Infrastructure to expand and develop more jobs that will not be
replaced by machines.
Lack of funding of Incubation hubs and innovation centers which
encourage innovation and resultant creation of more jobs.
Lack of skills within the Governance bodies and decision makers to
promote the investment in Technological development and promotion.

12. Solution
Tap into the youth and capitalize on their inquisitiveness and
creativity to influence current and future workflows in the workplace.
Human Capital investment starting from birth until 5 years to curb
stunting.
Training and skills development through vocational training centres
to address direct labor force requirements.

13. Challenges
FUNDING: The solution maybe expensive to implement due to the
large investment in infrastructure development and sustainability.
Resistance to change from policy makers.
Resistance to upskilling from existing work force.

14. Reasons why Government, Private sector and other stakeholders would want to participate
Automation will reduce the cost of doing business whilst
improving quality and profitability
Globalization : the sectors would need to be globally competitive
and allow for seamless global information interchange hence the
reason why they would want to participate.