Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services has taken a 10.19 percent stake in Ariana Resources ( image source ) HARARE — Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services has acquired a 10.19 percent stake in UK-listed Ariana Resources, completing the first tranche of a phased AU$11 million (US$7.35 million) investment aimed at advancing the Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe. The transaction, first announced on 22 December 2025 and notified on 30 December 2025, transferred 266,666,670 shares to Xinhai, gi

Economics professor Gift Mugano says he will adopt a more constructive, evidence-based approach to engaging with government policy, supporting reforms where justified while highlighting ongoing economic challenges ( image source ) HARARE — Prominent economics professor Gift Mugano has clarified his stance on government policy, announcing a move from neutral commentary and occasional criticism to a more constructive, evidence-based approach to public economic debate. In a publ

Mutapa Investment Fund chairperson Chipo Mtasa says the sovereign wealth fund has built strong governance and institutional foundations in its first year ( image source ) HARARE — Mutapa Investment Fund chairperson Chipo Mtasa says the sovereign wealth vehicle has established “strong institutional pillars” during its inaugural reporting period, prioritising governance, transparency and accountability to safeguard national assets. In the Fund’s 2024 Annual Report, Mtasa said t

The Mutapa Investment Fund has received a qualified audit opinion ( image source ) HARARE — The Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF) has been issued a qualified audit opinion by Grant Thornton, which flagged significant breaches of international accounting standards in the Fund’s first financial statements covering the period from 19 September 2023 to 31 December 2024. Grant Thornton said MIF failed to comply with IFRS 9 and IFRS 13 by not measuring investments at fair value on initi

Zimbabwe’s push to unlock digital monetisation for content creators raises questions around financial reform, platform risk, data trust and the appropriate role of the state in the creator economy ( image source ) Government efforts to unlock digital monetisation opportunities for Zimbabwean content creators have entered the national policy arena, following a detailed public explanation by Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana on the barriers preventing local

Zimbabwe government grants Prevail exclusive rights to a river rehabilitation pilot in Mazowe ( image source ) HARARE — The Government has granted Prevail Group of Companies, owned by businessman Paul Tungwarara, exclusive rights to carry out river rehabilitation works on the Muroodzi River in Mazowe, effectively suspending other river rehabilitation activities across the country, documents seen by Southerton Business Times show. A Cabinet directive circulated to provincial m

A proposed US$700 million cement plant in Magunje is set to boost Zimbabwe’s cement capacity, create over 2,000 jobs and support devolution-led industrialisation in Mashonaland West ( image source ) HARARE — A proposed US$700 million cement manufacturing plant in Magunje, Hurungwe District, is being positioned as a major catalyst for regional industrialisation, job creation and import substitution under Zimbabwe’s devolution agenda. Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister

Zimbabwe recruits over 5,000 health workers in 2025 and plans to create 32,000 public sector health jobs by 2030 to rebuild and sustain the public health system ( image source ) HARARE — The Government has stepped up efforts to stabilise and rebuild Zimbabwe’s public health system, recruiting more than 5,000 health workers in 2025 and setting out plans to double the national health workforce by 2030, creating at least 32,000 public sector jobs. Authorities say the expansion i

Mazowe farmers benefiting from the Government’s Productivity Booster Kits Programme are optimistic about a bumper harvest, citing early planting and improved irrigation infrastructure ( image source ) MAZOWE — Beneficiaries of the Government’s Productivity Booster Kits Programme in Mazowe District say they are confident of a bumper harvest this season, citing improved access to irrigation infrastructure as a key driver of strong crop performance. More than 90 families in Glen

Zimbabwe has begun implementing a 15% digital services withholding tax on payments to foreign-based platforms ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabweans using foreign-based digital platforms have begun paying a 15 percent Digital Services Withholding Tax following the enactment of a new tax regime designed to bring income earned by non-resident digital companies into the country’s tax net. The levy, introduced through the Finance Act signed into law last week, applies to payments

Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector recorded strong growth under NDS1, boosting tobacco, maize and wheat production and setting the stage for ambitious NDS2 targets under Vision 2030 ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwe’s recently concluded National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) has been credited with driving strong growth in the agricultural sector, laying a solid foundation for more ambitious production and value-addition targets under NDS2 as the country advances towards Vision 20

NRZ has delayed December 2025 salaries and 2025 bonuses, citing financial constraints, with management outlining a phased payment plan expected to conclude by late January 2026 ( image source ) The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has notified employees that it will not meet its obligations to pay December 2025 salaries and 2025 annual bonuses on schedule, citing persistent financial challenges that have constrained cash availability at year-end. In an internal notice date

Zimbabwe’s new tax regime takes effect after approval of the 2026 Budget, introducing changes to VAT, gaming taxes, mining royalties, digital services tax and other levies ( image source ) A new set of taxes and adjustments to existing levies will come into force from midnight following Parliament’s approval of the 2026 National Budget, marking a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s fiscal framework as Government moves to strengthen revenue mobilisation. The measures, which take e

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe says new ZiG bank notes are ready for phased release in early 2026 ( image source ) HARARE — The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has confirmed that new ZiG bank notes are ready for circulation, with a phased rollout scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, as authorities move cautiously to reintroduce physical cash without destabilising monetary conditions. RBZ Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said the introduction of the notes will be gradual and dem

Indian engineering firm RITES Ltd has secured a US$3.6 million contract to supply diesel-electric locomotives to Zimbabwe ( image source ) NEW DELHI/HARARE — Indian transport consultancy and engineering firm RITES Ltd has secured an international contract worth US$3.6 million to supply locomotives to a Zimbabwe-based company, strengthening its footprint in Africa’s rail and transport sector. In a regulatory filing, RITES said it won the order from Berhard Development Corporat

CZR has welcomed Zimbabwe’s reserved sector policy under SI 215 of 2025, saying it protects local businesses while promoting balanced and productive foreign investment ( image source ) HARARE — The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has welcomed Government’s reserved sector policy, saying the new regulations strike a balance between protecting local businesses and allowing structured, high-impact foreign investment. The policy is contained in Statutory Instrument 215 o

Government says the temporary halt at the US$1 billion Whi-Zim Cement Plant in Hurungwe is due to EIA compliance and not a withdrawal of support ( image source ) HURUNGWE — Government has clarified that the temporary suspension of construction works at the US$1 billion Whi-Zim Cement Plant in Magunje, Hurungwe District, is part of routine regulatory compliance and does not signal a withdrawal of State support for the project. Authorities said the pause was necessitated by the

Zimbabwe closes 2025 with a strong economic rebound as inflation falls sharply and key sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing record solid growth ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwe is closing 2025 on a strong economic rebound, posting broad-based growth across key sectors following the El Niño-induced slowdown that constrained performance in 2024. Improved macroeconomic management, tighter fiscal discipline and stronger coordination between monetary and fiscal

Zimbabwe’s mining sector generated over US$3 billion in mineral sales in the first 11 months of the year ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwe’s mining sector generated more than US$3 billion in mineral sales during the first 11 months of the year, underscoring the industry’s resilience despite continued volatility in global commodity markets, according to figures released by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ). The data shows that over four million metric tonn

Kamativi Lithium Mine has committed to an independent audit under the global IRMA standard ( image source ) KAMATIVI — Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) has taken a significant step toward transparency and ethical mineral extraction after committing to an independent audit of its lithium operations under the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standard, the world’s most comprehensive benchmark for responsible large-scale mining. Owned by the Yahua Group, the Kamati