Rukuni to headline tonight’s services survey event

RENOWNED thought leader and academic Professor Mandivamba Rukuni will headline the State of Services Economy Survey (SOSES) launch in Harare tonight.

The survey seeks to position Zimbabwe as a leading service economy amid statistics showing that the potential of the services sector to induce growth in developing countries is great.

The event that will start at 1830hrs at a local hotel is bankrolled by ZB Financial Holdings (ZB), in partnership with Topline Research Solutions, Tatu Advertising, and the Financial Gazette.

Professor Mandivamba Rukuni

 A distinguished academic par excellence, Rukuni is expected to share insights on the significance of the service economy to Zimbabwe’s developmental aspirations.

Boasting a wealth of experience in Zimbabwe’s economic value chain, from agriculture to service, Rukuni has consulted for the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union (EU), United States Agency for International Development (USAid), the Department for International Development (DFID), and for various African states on policy and strategy, among others.

Commenting on the survey, Rukuni applauded ZB Financial Holdings, Tatu Advertising, Topline Research Solutions and the Financial Gazette for coming up with a timely survey on Zimbabwe.

“The world is going service, anchored on industry and the service economy survey is an important development tool for our beloved nation, Zimbabwe”, said Rukuni.

The research’s key findings will unpack various issues for stakeholders, including policymakers, corporate leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, scholars, and consumers so that Zimbabwe aligns with the global trends where the share of total output — world GDP — accounted for by services are experiencing sharp increases in almost all countries. Running under the theme “Service. Impact.

Prosperity” the survey will show that enhancing the services sector can boost the economy and fast-track progress towards meeting global goals on sustainability.

As a developmental analyst and strategist in the areas of economics, agriculture, community development, business, finance, governance, education, policy and strategy, Rukuni is a befitting guest of honour for this ground-breaking survey unveiling ceremony.

He is currently Trustee of the Barefoot Education for Afrika Trust (BEAT). Rukuni’s career began as an academic at the University of Zimbabwe where he lectured and served as Professor and Dean of Agriculture.

He holds a PhD degree from the University of Zimbabwe and an MSc degree from University of Reading, UK in Tropical Agricultural Development. Inclusive of his achievements are several honours and awards, the most distinguished of which are: Honorary Doctoral Degree (2008) bestowed by the School of the Prophets Institute of Jerusalem; Citation from State of Michigan Congress 2008; Nominee, 1990 and 1992 Africa Prize for Leadership in the Sustainable End of Hunger.

The event, to be serenaded by celebrated music outfit Mokoomba is going to be a memorable night of insights, experiences, and networking as industry experts share transformative nuggets on service, impact, and prosperity.  By Beaven Dhliwayo
Group Features Editor