President Emmerson Mnangagwa has hailed Zimbabwe’s recent economic performance, saying the country is experiencing “commendable growth anchored on a stable macro-economic environment,” with foreign currency reserves now exceeding US$1.2 billion on the back of a strong gold sector.
His remarks come as the International Monetary Fund reports that Zimbabwe’s economy grew by 7.5% in 2025—outperforming the government’s earlier estimate of 6.6%. For 2026, both the IMF and government project growth at 5%, signalling continued stability despite mounting global uncertainties.
Regionally, the IMF expects Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth to slow slightly to 4.3% in 2026 from 4.5% in 2025, warning of significant risks tied to global economic volatility. Even so, Zimbabwe is forecast to outperform the regional average.
The IMF attributes the country’s growth trajectory to improving fiscal discipline and robust performance in key sectors such as agriculture and mining. Gold exports have been particularly instrumental in bolstering foreign currency reserves.
In a significant development, the IMF has also introduced a 10-month Staff-Monitored Program (SMP) for Zimbabwe. The program will track the country’s economic reforms against agreed targets and is widely seen as a stepping stone toward rebuilding confidence with international creditors.
Harare views the SMP as critical in its efforts to resolve long-standing debt obligations and re-engage with global financial institutions, as it seeks to sustain economic recovery amid a challenging external environment.
