Zimbabwe launches BIOFIN with UNDP and GEF to mobilise sustainable biodiversity finance, integrate nature-positive investments, and empower communities ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwe has officially launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) — a national programme developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) — to mobilise sustainable finance for biodiversity conservation and e

Zimbabwe’s government and Consumer Council launch a national campaign against counterfeit goods, combining awareness roadshows, enforcement operations, and cross-border cooperation to protect consumers and legitimate businesses ( image source ) HARARE — The government, working with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) and private partners, has launched a coordinated national campaign to combat the surge of counterfeit and substandard goods in local markets. The National Awa

Ariana Resources has started drilling at its 1Moz Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe’s Tsholotsho District ( image source ) BULAWAYO — Ariana Resources plc has launched an exploration drilling programme at its 1-million-ounce Dokwe Gold Project in Tsholotsho District, marking a key step in expanding the project’s known resource base and assessing future mine development potential. The reverse-circulation (RC) drilling campaign, which began in early November, will test four define

Zimbabweans remain loyal to Mazoe Crush despite a new Carlsberg–Varun partnership. Experts say the alliance focuses on beer, not soft drinks, leaving Mazoe’s dominance intact for now ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabweans from across the social spectrum have dismissed concerns that the newly announced strategic alliance between Denmark’s Carlsberg Group and India’s Varun Beverages Ltd will threaten Mazoe Crush, the beloved fruit drink produced by Schweppes Zimbabwe. The debate

NSSA acting general manager Hashmon Matemera has been charged with allegedly helping externalise US$340 million while managing BancABC ( image source ) HARARE — National Social Security Authority (NSSA) acting general manager Hashmon Matemera has appeared in the Harare Magistrates’ Court facing charges of facilitating the externalisation of about US$340 million during his tenure as managing director of BancABC, court sources and prosecution papers reveal. Matemera (52) stood

Zimbabwe’s move to merge business and vehicle licence fees into single payments has been praised by traders and SMEs as a boost for cash flow, formalisation, and transparency ( image source ) HARARE — Government reforms to merge and reduce local business and vehicle licence fees have been hailed by traders and small-business owners as a practical boost to cash flow, formalisation, and municipal transparency. Announced in early November, the new measures consolidate multiple l

The City of Harare has halved business licence fees to boost entrepreneurship, but the decision leaves a US$500,000 revenue gap, prompting concerns over service delivery and fiscal sustainability ( image source ) HARARE – The City of Harare has cut business licence fees by 50 percent in a bid to stimulate economic activity and ease the burden on struggling entrepreneurs. However, the move will create a US$500,000 shortfall in municipal revenue, sparking debate over how the ci

Zimbabwe’s October inflation figures show a sharp drop under the ZiG currency, but economists and traders question whether the decline reflects real stabilisation or statistical adjustments masking ongoing price pressures ( image source ) Zimbabwe’s new currency, the ZiG, recorded a dramatic headline drop in inflation for October, with official figures showing a fall of roughly 50 percentage points. The sharp decline has been met with cautious optimism by some policymakers an

Beef and veal prices in Zimbabwe have jumped nearly 15%, outpacing grocery inflation ( image source ) HARARE — Zimbabwean households are feeling the strain as retail prices for beef and veal continue to climb sharply, outpacing broader grocery inflation and adding pressure to already stretched family budgets. Market traders and consumers say the latest monthly figures show beef and veal costs rising by nearly 15 percent, a jump reverberating through restaurants, butcheries, a

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is set to invest US$1 billion in Zimbabwe’s cement, coal, and power sectors ( image source ) HARARE — Africa’s richest man, Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, is set to visit Zimbabwe in mid-November to finalise a landmark US$1 billion investment package spanning cement manufacturing, coal mining, and power generation. The deal marks one of the largest foreign direct investments in Zimbabwe in recent years and is expected to significantly

Zimbabwe’s stock market posts mixed results as agricultural and insurance stocks rise while property and retail counters struggle amid tight monetary conditions in 2025 ( image source ) HARARE – The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) closed the week ending 20 October 2025 with mixed performance across sectors, as investors shifted focus toward agriculture and insurance counters amid expectations of a favorable rainy season and stable macroeconomic indicators. The All-Share Index r

The U.S. flags Zimbabwe’s restrictive labour laws as a barrier to investment, urging reforms to improve business flexibility and economic competitiveness in 2025 ( image source ) HARARE – The United States government has raised concerns over Zimbabwe’s restrictive labour laws, describing them as a major impediment to business flexibility and economic adaptation. The remarks were made in the recently released 2025 Zimbabwe Investment Climate Statement, compiled by the U.S. Dep

Vice President Chiwenga has applauded the US$30 million Orange Ville Juicing Plant in Beitbridge ( image source ) BEITBRIDGE – Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has praised the newly operational Orange Ville Juicing Plant in Beitbridge as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s rural industrialisation agenda, describing it as a “strategic investment” aligned with Vision 2030. The US$30 million citrus processing facility, which began operations in July 2025, has already crushed over

Zimbabwe’s retail sector is expected to grow by 5.1% in 2025, but analysts warn that high operational costs, informal competition, and infrastructure challenges threaten sustained recovery ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe’s retail sector is projected to grow by 5.1% in 2025, according to the latest industry forecasts, but analysts warn that the expansion is fragile and heavily dependent on resolving persistent economic constraints and adapting to the informal economy’s domi

Zimbabwe’s retail property market is shifting toward SMEs, informal traders, and mixed-use developments as traditional large retailers downsize and landlords adapt to economic realities and changing consumer behavior ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe’s retail property market is undergoing a major transformation in 2025, as the dominance of large chain stores gives way to a vibrant ecosystem of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mixed-use developments, according to a new

Zimbabwe’s business sector warns that delayed government payments are undermining confidence in the ZiG currency, urging fiscal discipline to sustain its stability and credibility ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe’s business community has warned that the survival and credibility of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency hinges on the government’s ability to ensure timely payments to suppliers and contractors, according to a position paper submitted by the Confederation of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s informal economy accounts for nearly two-thirds of national activity, yet formalisation efforts remain strained by mistrust, bureaucracy, and limited incentives for vendors and cross-border traders ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe’s informal economy continues to dominate the national economic landscape, accounting for an estimated 64.7% of total economic activity in 2025, according to World Economics and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC). Despite i

Delta Corporation has paid over US$240 million in taxes to ZIMRA following a surge in beverage sales ( image source ) HARARE – Delta Corporation, Zimbabwe’s largest beverage manufacturer, has paid over US$240 million in taxes to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) for the fiscal year ending September 2025, reflecting a strong rebound in formal sector performance and consumer demand. The tax contribution includes corporate income tax, excise duty, and value-added tax (VAT),

CBZ’s strategy is expected to attract foreign investment and enhance Zimbabwe’s role in regional value chains ( image source ) HARARE – CBZ Holdings has launched a bold new strategy aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a gateway to Africa’s US$3 trillion intra-continental trade market, leveraging its banking infrastructure, digital platforms, and regional partnerships. The initiative, unveiled at a high-level summit in Harare, aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (

Zimbabwean bakers warn that bread prices could exceed US$1 amid surging flour costs, inflationary pressures, and supply-chain challenges, prompting government engagement on affordability ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe’s bakers have sounded the alarm over a proposed hike in flour prices, warning that the cost of a standard loaf of bread could soon exceed US$1, further straining household budgets amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis. In a letter dated 24 October 2025 addr