Reviewing the Role of Subnational Governance in Rural Development Planning: The Case of Zimbabwe

Abstract

The capacity of governments, partners, and clients (population) to deliver services is shaped by many factors, including policies, politics, funds, calamities, history, and geopolitical characterisation. A Systematic Literature Review with the support of Preferred Reporting Items (PRI) guidelines was adopted. Legislation that governs the formation and functionality of developmental structures spanning 1980 when Zimbabwe gained independence was reviewed. The authors also examined fifty-nine journals and books published between 2018 and 2024. The reviewed journals and books provided summaries and promulgated how subnational governance promotes rural development in African and Asian countries. Results showed that the state functions of public administration systems depend on the policies, and strategies and institutional and legislative frameworks referred to as state writs and web of legalities. Catastrophes affect governments’ planning and use of resources beyond fiscal budgets’ limits. When such happens, the coffers meant for other service delivery are emptied, thus diverging from the original intent. There have been spontaneous words without action where governments were called to action as a culmination of economic and political pressures that challenge the customary public administration models. Zimbabwe has connoted and implemented many public administration advances. There is a need to research further why some do not garner enough traction.