HARARE – Zimbabwe has emerged as the leading destination for South African maize exports, accounting for more than half of last week’s shipments as regional grain trade continues to play a critical role in food security. According to the latest trade data, South Africa exported 36,174 tonnes of maize in the past week, with Zimbabwe taking approximately 51% of the total volume. Namibia followed at 13%, with the remainder distributed across other Southern African markets.

The Zimbabwe economy has been officially rebased to an estimated US$52.4 billion for 2025, positioning it as the second-largest economy in Southern Africa after South Africa. The revised figures were released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) following a comprehensive economic census conducted in 2023, which captured previously underreported sectors, particularly the informal economy.

The Namibia government has slashed fuel levies by 50 percent for three months in a bid to shield consumers from rising global oil prices, even as pump prices are set to increase from 1 April 2026. The temporary Namibia fuel tax reduction 2026 measure, announced on 27 March, will run until the end of June, with authorities drawing from the National Energy Fund to cushion motorists and businesses.

Southern African football fans are set for a thrilling regional showcase later this month, after Mukuru was confirmed as the title sponsor of the upcoming Four Nations Tournament in Francistown, Botswana.