National Report

THE government is pushing for blended finance solutions in agriculture to reduce risk in Zimbabwe’s financial sector and widen farmers’ access to capital. High interest rates have long constrained agricultural financing, leaving many farmers unable to secure loans until the introduction of state-backed schemes such as command agriculture, later renamed the national enhanced agriculture productivity…

ZIMBABWE’S digital payment transactions rose by 23 percent in December 2025, driven largely by a surge in high-value electronic transfers, central bank data show. The increase underlines the growing dominance of the national payments system in managing the country’s liquidity flows. During the review period, the total value of digital payment transactions climbed to ZiG275,38…

DELTA Corporation (Delta) is spending tens of millions of US dollars annually on local communal farmers purchasing input grains under its contract farming model, which has transformed rural livelihoods. The country’s largest brewer is a huge consumer of maize, sorghum and barley, which it primarily sources from its extensive contract farming schemes to supply its…

THE continued migration of businesses from Harare’s central business district (CBD) into residential suburbs is driving up rentals and property prices in affected areas, property experts have said. Companies are relocating to suburbs such as Highlands, Newlands, Eastlea and Borrowdale in search of modern facilities, easier road access and more reliable utilities. As a result,…

INDUSTRY has called for targeted financial assistance and lower lending rates to enable its full participation in the economy. Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) reserved sectors implementation modalities meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association chief executive Joyline Zindaga said the country lacks adequately capacitated local players in most sectors, resulting…

SUSTAINED gains in farming and mining, supported by consistent government policy, remain critical to the country’s economic outlook, a securities firm has said. This assessment comes as economic growth is expected to slow to about five percent in 2026, marking a shift from the rapid post-rebound phase towards a more sustainable growth trajectory. Gross Domestic…

ELECTRICITY output at Hwange Thermal Power Station’s oldest units, one to six, is projected to more than double following a comprehensive rehabilitation programme. Generation is expected to exceed 700 megawatts upon completion. Currently, the six units produce roughly 300 megawatts, significantly lower than their installed capacity. Hwange Power Station maintenance manager Tonderai Machiwana yesterday explained…

THE tobacco industry is bracing for another major marketing cycle, with the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) confirming that growers will receive 70 percent of their earnings in United States dollars and 30 percent in local currency during the 2026 selling season. This comes as growers for the 2025/2026 season planted more than the…

INDUSTRY has urged authorities to review and extend the deadline for submitting indigenisation compliance plans. They cite the need for a consolidated one-stop shop to handle all compliance requirements and submissions. The policy, which requires foreign-owned firms to submit compliance plans to cede up to 75 percent of their shares within three years, targets 14…