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

Zimbabwean farmers are fighting back against cheap imports from South Africa and Zambia ( image source ) CHINHOYI, Zimbabwe  — Local farmers are ramping up efforts to reclaim market share from imported agricultural products, as Zimbabwe’s rural economy faces mounting pressure from cheaper foreign goods flooding supermarkets and informal stalls. From tomatoes to poultry, imports — particularly from South Africa and Zambia — have undercut local producers, prompting calls for st

Zimbabwean experts urge the government to embed mental health support into disaster preparedness plans, warning that trauma and stress are critical yet overlooked in recovery from floods, droughts, and epidemics ( image source ) HARARE — Mental health advocates and disaster response specialists are urging Zimbabwe to embed psychological support in all disaster preparedness and recovery frameworks, warning that trauma and stress are too often ignored in the aftermath of floods

The arrest of Zimbabwean truck drivers in KwaZulu-Natal has sparked renewed debate over cross-border transport regulations, trade disruption, and the need for harmonised permit systems between Zimbabwe and South Africa ( image source ) South African authorities arrested a group of Zimbabwean truck drivers in KwaZulu-Natal in an operation that local officials say targeted permit violations and overloaded vehicles. The arrests have renewed concern among logistics firms and cros

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

Nearly half of Southern Africa’s population still lacks access to clean energy, experts warn, urging stronger regional cooperation and investment to meet the UN’s 2030 universal energy goal ( image source ) HARARE — Despite ambitious regional energy plans, nearly 200 million people in Southern Africa still lack access to clean and modern energy services, according to the Southern African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE). The figure represents 50% of

Elite College in Harare faces backlash over abrupt teacher retrenchments alleged to violate Zimbabwe’s labour laws ( image source ) HARARE — Elite College has come under fire after a wave of sudden retrenchments left several teachers jobless and raised questions about compliance with Zimbabwe’s labour laws. Parents, educators, and labour advocates say the dismissals were abrupt, lacked formal consultation, and omitted the severance and notice procedures required by statute. T

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 top female artists — Feli Nandi, Tamy Moyo, Gemma Griffiths, Shashl, and Nisha Ts — unite for Nubian Notes: The Rise of Her Sound, an all-female concert at the HICC blending performance, advocacy, and empowerment in Zimbabwe’s music industry ( image source ) Zimbabwe’s female music stars have flipped the script on concert promotion, taking to the streets to drum up support for Nubian Notes — an all-female showcase billed as “Mambokadzi: The Rise of Her Sound” that

A Nyanga herder has been jailed for two years after admitting to a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old pupil ( image source ) A Nyanga cattle herder has been sentenced to two years behind bars after the Nyanga Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old Form 2 pupil, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said on Thursday. Panashe Chingoza, 28, pleaded guilty after prosecutors said the relationship began in Aug

A 42-year-old Zimbabwean man in Khayelitsha has been arrested under Operation Shanela II for selling unregistered medicines from his home ( image source ) A 42-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested in Khayelitsha after police discovered large quantities of unregistered and potentially dangerous medicines being sold from his home, authorities confirmed. The arrest forms part of Operation Shanela II, an ongoing campaign targeting illegal trade and public-health risks across

Herentals FC has been fined US$5,000 and ordered to play three home matches behind closed doors after violent incidents involving security personnel ( image source ) The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has fined Herentals Football Club US$5,000 and ordered the team to play its next three home matches behind closed doors following violent incidents involving the club’s security personnel during a league match against Caps United at Rufaro Stadium on 13 September 2025. The PSL Disc

Hurricane Melissa devastates Jamaica as a record-breaking Category 5 storm, causing widespread destruction, power outages, and fatalities ( image source ) KINGSTON — Jamaica has been battered by the full force of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on 28 October 2025 as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 kph). The storm is now regarded as the most powerful ever to hit Jamaica, leaving major destruction, widespread power outages, and

Paul Biya’s disputed re-election at age 92 has sparked deadly protests in Cameroon and renewed debate over France’s influence ( image source ) YAOUNDÉ — At age 92, Paul Biya has secured another term as president of Cameroon with 53.66% of the vote, extending a rule that began in 1982. The announcement by the Constitutional Council triggered deadly protests in major cities and raised urgent questions about the fairness of the electoral process and the enduring influence of Fra

Zimbabwe is drafting a national AI strategy to drive economic transformation, strengthen public services, and position the country as a regional leader in ethical and innovative artificial intelligence ( image source ) HARARE – Zimbabwe is laying the groundwork for a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy aimed at transforming public services, agriculture, and industrial productivity, according to officials from the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services. The in

Tanzania’s 2025 election is shaping into a one-woman race as President Samia Suluhu Hassan faces little to no opposition after rival politicians are barred or detained, raising concerns over democratic credibility ( image source ) DAR ES SALAAM – Tanzania’s presidential contest has collapsed into what analysts describe as a near-guaranteed victory for incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan, after key opposition figures were disqualified or detained and major parties failed t

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