IMF completes first Zimbabwe programme review

The IMF approved the first review of Zimbabwe's 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme on Tuesday, projecting continued single-digit inflation while warning economic risks remain.

IMF completes first Zimbabwe programme review

The IMF approved the first review of Zimbabwe's 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme on Tuesday.

The International Monetary Fund completed the first review of Zimbabwe's 10-month Staff-Monitored Programme, a framework for monitoring policy implementation and building a track record toward debt clearance. The 10-month programme, approved by IMF management after authorities met all targets through March 2026, marks a significant step in the country's re-engagement with international financial institutions and efforts to clear arrears. The Fund praised Zimbabwe's strong policy implementation, noting inflation remained low due to tight monetary conditions and relative exchange rate stability. It said the economy remained resilient despite a challenging environment, projected continued single-digit inflation, but warned that economic risks persist and urged sustained policy discipline and exchange rate stability. The programme consolidates recent macroeconomic stabilization gains and strengthens the foundation for future economic growth, helping maintain low inflation and exchange rate stability.

Zimbabwe's NDB accession unlocks infrastructure funding

Zimbabwe's accession to the BRICS New Development Bank opens alternative funding channels outside Western structures.

Zimbabwe's accession to the BRICS New Development Bank unlocks access to credit for infrastructure and sustainable development projects. The Shanghai-based institution, founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, provides an alternative funding channel and marks a milestone in diversifying development finance sources. The membership follows over two decades of financial isolation that choked Zimbabwe's economic growth and restricted its access to global capital. The NDB offers loans for infrastructure and sustainable development, representing a strategic shift in the country's development finance options and bolstering re-engagement with international financial institutions. The NDB membership expands Zimbabwe's development finance toolkit as the country navigates limited access to international capital markets and seeks to fund critical infrastructure, reducing dependence on traditional lenders and enhancing economic resilience.

Hwange Colliery revives coke production after 12 years

HCCL recommissioned its coke oven battery, resuming coke production after a 12-year shutdown.

Hwange Colliery Company Limited recommissioned its rehabilitated coke oven battery, resuming coke production after a 12-year hiatus. HCCL Holdings described the project as a key step towards increasing value addition from Zimbabwe's coal resources. HCCL administrator Munashe Shava called the development a key milestone in the company's turnaround programme. The revival advances mineral beneficiation by processing raw coal into higher-value coke. The restart positions HCCL to supply industrial coke to domestic and regional markets after more than a decade of dormancy.

Cabinet creates task force against illegal mining

Cabinet approved a national Task Force to combat illegal mining after assessing damage in Bindura.

Cabinet approved the establishment of a national Task Force to combat illegal mining on Tuesday, responding to escalating damage from unregulated extraction. The decision came after Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe presented findings on the impact of illegal mining in Bindura, revealing extensive environmental damage. The task force will address damage caused by illegal mining operations across the country, coordinating enforcement across multiple government agencies including law enforcement, environmental protection, and local authorities. The task force aims to restore order, protect state revenues, and support local authorities, while the government moves to tighten controls against unregulated extraction, targeting illegal gold panning and sand mining that have caused severe environmental degradation, significant revenue losses, and unsafe working conditions. The approval signals a centralized response to a problem that has outpaced local enforcement capacity, threatens national economic interests, and endangers communities and the environment across the nation.

Farmers feed HIV drugs to chickens for growth

An investigation exposed Zimbabwean poultry farmers buying ARVs on the black market to mix into chicken feed.

An investigation uncovered poultry farmers in Zimbabwe buying antiretroviral drugs intended for HIV patients on the black market. The farmers mix the ARVs into chicken feed to reduce bird deaths and accelerate growth. The practice diverts essential medicines from patients while introducing unapproved substances into the food supply. Farmers believe the drugs protect stock from diseases and act as growth stimulants. The exposure reveals a profit-driven misuse of public health resources that endangers both human treatment programmes and food safety.

South Africa rejects blame for Beitbridge delays

South Africa's Border Management Authority stated congestion at Beitbridge stems from constraints on the Zimbabwean side.

South Africa's Border Management Authority stated its border operations remain fully functional and that congestion at Beitbridge stems from constraints on the Zimbabwean side. The BMA and South African Revenue Service moved to reassure freight operators about processing capacity, insisting the long queues are not due to South African delays, and expressed readiness to assist Zimbabwean authorities, urging cooperation to resolve the congestion. Zimbabwean authorities cited limited parking space and abnormal load vehicles occupying parking bays as factors, but the BMA counters that its side is clear. The cross-border finger-pointing deepens as truck gridlock persists at the key regional trade corridor, causing significant delays for freight operators. The dispute exposes coordination failures between the two neighbours at a crossing that handles the bulk of regional freight movement, threatening supply chains and economic activity, and deepening bilateral tensions.

Cabinet approves municipal police and courts bill

Cabinet approved a Bill on Tuesday to expand municipal police powers and establish municipal courts across Zimbabwe.

Cabinet approved the Municipal Police and Courts Bill on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, marking a significant step toward strengthening local governance and decentralizing judicial functions. The proposed legislation gives municipal police stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to issue fines and conduct arrests, and paves the way for dedicated municipal courts. The Bill aims to improve by-law enforcement at the local government level and strengthen community safety. It represents a structural shift in how municipal authorities can police their jurisdictions, reducing the burden on the main judicial system, empowering local authorities to address petty crime, and enhancing municipal governance. The legislation now moves to Parliament for debate and potential enactment, where it faces scrutiny from lawmakers.

Government scraps 17-year road access fee

Authorities scrapped the road access fee after 17 years to reduce business costs and end double-charging of foreign vehicles.

Authorities scrapped the 17-year-old road access fee to reduce business costs for transporters. The removal stops the practice of charging foreign-registered vehicles twice for road use. Cabinet had approved a review of fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry, Road Motor Transportation, and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department last year. The decision lowers the cost of cross-border travel and freight movement. The policy shift removes a long-standing cost burden on regional transport operators.

ZiG annual inflation drops to 3.2 percent

Zimstat reported ZiG annual inflation fell to 3.2% in July 2026, down from 4.7% in June.

Zimbabwe's annual ZiG inflation rate fell to 3.2% in July 2026, down 1.5 percentage points from June's 4.7%. The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency released the data on Monday. Month-on-month ZiG inflation eased to 0.1% in July from 0.6% recorded in June. The decline extends a disinflationary trend supported by tight monetary conditions. The data provides the latest evidence of price stability under the ZiG currency framework.

Tobacco auctions close as sales hit US$882 million

Zimbabwe's 2026 auction tobacco sales end Friday, with total sales surpassing US$882 million.

Zimbabwe's 2026 auction tobacco sales officially end on Friday, with mop-up trading scheduled for early August. Total tobacco sales surpassed US$882 million for the season. Auction floor sales accounted for 30,385,988 kilogrammes at an average price of US$1.91 per kilogramme, earning growers approximately US$58 million. Contract deliveries dominated the marketing season. The closure caps a season of surging volumes for one of Zimbabwe's primary foreign currency earners.

The Jeere 2026-07-29  ·  stories

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