Zimbabwe Creates 464,000 Jobs in Two Years as Formal Sector Expands — NSSA

Zimbabwe has created nearly half a million jobs over the past two years, with new data from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) showing strong growth in formal employment and business activity. According to the figures, 238,000 new jobs were registered in 2025, up from 226,000 in 2024, bringing the total number of new jobs created to 464,000 over the two-year period.

The data also shows a rise in registered employers from 4,600 to 5,500, representing a 15% increase a signal of expanding business activity across multiple sectors of the economy. NSSA chief executive officer Charles Shava said the figures point to growing economic momentum and increased participation in the formal sector.

“The increase in registered employers and new employments is a positive indicator for the economy,” Shava said, adding that the growth also strengthens social protection systems as more workers contribute to pension schemes.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), formal employment refers to individuals working more than 30 hours per week for registered employers in both public and private sectors. NSSA data shows active employees increased from 1.36 million in 2024 to 1.39 million in 2025, while total registered employees rose to 3.9 million. Economists say the expansion in formal jobs could have a ripple effect across the economy, boosting household incomes, consumer spending, and government tax revenues.

“Growth in formal employment is critical because it improves income stability and widens the tax base,” said a Harare-based economist. “It also enhances access to social security benefits.”

The job gains come amid broader economic reforms and investment-led expansion under the Second Republic, with the government prioritising industrialisation, infrastructure development, and investment promotion. Large-scale projects in mining, construction, transport, and energy have played a key role in employment creation, both directly and indirectly. Emmerson Mnangagwa has recently urged employers to avoid casualisation of labour, emphasising the need for secure and decent jobs in line with labour laws. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected economic growth of around 6% for Zimbabwe, driven largely by mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

Key industries such as gold, lithium, agriculture, and manufacturing continue to anchor job creation, with rising investment flows boosting production capacity. Government policy frameworks, including the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP2) 2026–2030 and the National Formalisation Strategy, are aimed at integrating informal businesses into the formal economy and expanding employment coverage. Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said industrial recovery is already translating into jobs, citing companies such as Paramount Garments operating at high capacity and employing young workers.

Analysts say that while the figures are encouraging, sustaining job growth will depend on continued investment, policy consistency, and broader economic stability. Efforts to formalise the informal sector, which employs a large share of Zimbabwe’s workforce, are expected to further boost employment numbers and improve working conditions. As capacity utilisation rises and more businesses enter the formal economy, the latest NSSA data is being viewed as a sign of gradual but steady economic recovery.

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