The national budget affects every clinic, school and road in Zimbabwe, yet many communities feel shut out of decisions about how public money is spent. My Age Africa is working to change that.
In September, with support from ACT, My Age Africa took part in a series of Budget Literacy Sessions, working with communities in Karoi and Guruve. The aim was simple but powerful: to give ordinary citizens the knowledge and confidence to take part in the national budget process.
The timing is strategic. Consultations on the 2027 National Budget begin on 5 October 2026, giving communities a real opportunity to influence how resources are allocated next year. But meaningful participation requires understanding. People need to know what the budget is, how it works and how to make their voices heard.
The sessions helped communities understand:
• What the national budget is and why it matters
• How the budget process works and how communities can participate
• How to translate community challenges into clear budget priorities
• How to advocate for resources to address issues affecting their wellbeing
Health was a central focus. Communities can easily name the health challenges they face, such as long distances to clinics, shortages of medicines and limited youth-friendly services. We encouraged participants to go a step further and turn these challenges into specific, evidence-based budget priorities that decision-makers can act on. Instead of saying “our clinic has problems,” communities learn to say what is needed, why it matters and what it will take to fix it.
For young people, budget literacy is a tool for accountability. Public spending on health, education and employment directly shapes their futures. When young people understand the budget, they can track commitments, question gaps and advocate for investment in the services they rely on.
Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that communities are not just beneficiaries of public resources, but active participants in deciding how those resources are prioritised and allocated.
Ready to have your say? Look out for 2027 National Budget consultation meetings in your area from 5 October and make your voice count.
