The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has announced a reduction in the foreign currency retention threshold for exporters from 75% to 70%, a move aimed at bolstering the use of the domestic currency and enhancing economic stability.
Speaking during the bank’s 2025 Monetary Policy statement presentation Governor Dr. John Mushayavanhu said the policy change raises the mandatory surrender portion of export proceeds from 25% to 30%, effective immediately. The additional 5% is intended to ensure that exporters generate adequate ZiG to meet local currency obligations, including tax payments.
Dr. Mushayavanhu emphasized the strategic shift towards increasing the adoption of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) as the primary transaction currency by 2030.
He highlighted that the measure is designed to stabilize the interbank foreign exchange market by boosting foreign currency supply while also strengthening the country’s foreign currency reserves, which are essential for supporting the ZiG.