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Zimbabwe Ranks Fifth in Southern Africa After Major GDP Revision

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Zimbabwe has become the fifth-largest economy in Southern Africa following a significant revision of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which now includes previously unaccounted-for economic activity—especially from informal businesses and new enterprises that emerged after 2019.

The latest rebasing, conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) through the 2023 Economic Census, adjusted the country’s GDP from ZiG133.7 trillion (approximately US$35.2 billion) to ZiG168.5 trillion, now valued at US$44.4 billion. This reflects a broader measurement of economic activity, particularly in informal sectors and among newer businesses that were not captured in the previous GDP calculations based on 2019 data.

The updated GDP figure highlights hidden growth in Zimbabwe’s economy and demonstrates renewed momentum toward recovery and development.

Rebasing GDP involves recalculating the value of goods and services using a more current economic structure, incorporating sectors that had previously been overlooked. With the revised numbers, Zimbabwe now trails only South Africa (US$400 billion), Angola (US$115 billion), Tanzania (US$80 billion), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (US$71 billion), based on IMF projections for 2024. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has 16 member countries in total.

During a post-Cabinet press briefing on Tuesday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube explained that the updated GDP reflects portions of the economy that had been growing but were not formally recorded.

“There’s a segment of our economy that has been operating outside the formal accounting systems. This revision begins to include that activity,” Ncube said. “Still, due to the high level of informality, some areas remain uncaptured, and we’ll continue improving our data collection methods.”

GDP serves as the key indicator of a nation’s economic performance, measuring the total output of goods and services over a given period. For ordinary citizens, a growing GDP can signify increased job prospects, better public services, and stronger infrastructure investment.

While the revised GDP won’t change the government’s current spending plans, it offers greater fiscal flexibility. Minister Ncube noted that the government would focus on broadening the tax base and improving revenue collection to match the economy’s expanded size.

“Our expenditure plans remain unchanged,” he said. “However, we now have an opportunity to enhance our tax revenues based on the newly captured GDP.”

He also clarified that Zimbabwe is not struggling with debt sustainability, but rather with liquidity—a situation that could improve as the formal economy grows.

“Zimbabwe doesn’t have a debt crisis per se, but liquidity remains a challenge,” Ncube stated. “This expanded GDP gives us greater capacity to manage our external debt obligations.”

To capitalize on the rebasing, the government is ramping up efforts to formalize informal businesses and increase digitalization across sectors to bring more players into the tax system.

“We are improving our ability to withstand economic shocks,” Ncube said. “Digital platforms will help us integrate more economic participants into formal systems.”

The Minister also acknowledged economic inequality and emphasized the government’s approach through progressive taxation and social safety nets.

“Inequality is a persistent challenge,” he admitted. “We aim to address it through a tax system that places more responsibility on the wealthier population, along with targeted social welfare programs to uplift vulnerable groups.”

With the revised data, Zimbabwe’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased from US$2,259 to US$2,859 in 2023, with projections indicating it could surpass US$3,000 by 2025—a sign of rising national income and productivity.

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Current Affairs

Hon. Garwe Rallies Murehwa North: Unity, Agriculture and Presidential Gifts

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15 000 party members to get mealie meal

Itai Mazire

Amid a vibrant atmosphere of community spirit, Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Member of Parliament for Murehwa North, Honourable Daniel Garwe, conducted an extensive interactive tour across the constituency this week.

Addressing large gatherings of enthusiastic party supporters, Hon. Garwe delivered a clear message: the time for political tensions has passed, and the season for national productivity has arrived.

The tour, which spanned several wards, focused on reinforcing the developmental goals of Vision 2030 and ensuring food security at household level. Hon. Garwe said the nation must remain insulated from divisive politics and instead consolidate its efforts under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Rather than focusing on the ballot box, the legislator urged his constituents to turn their attention to the fields. He said that the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy remains agriculture and that the government is committed to supporting every farmer.

“The country is currently not in election mode. We must remain a united force against those trying to hinder the success of Vision 2030. Our primary focus right now must be on the land; we need to focus on agriculture to ensure our nation thrives,” he said.

To support this drive, he announced that the Presidential Inputs Scheme is moving into its next phase. He assured farmers that the critical top-dressing fertilisers required for the current cropping season would be arriving imminently.

“I want to assure every farmer in Murehwa North that the government hears you. Top-dressing fertilisers will be distributed starting next week across the entire constituency under the Presidential Inputs Scheme to ensure we maximise our yields,” said Hon. Garwe.

The tour took an emotional turn in Ward 8 and Ward 16 of the Tongogara District, where Hon. Garwe oversaw the distribution of mealie meal to 1 500 party members.
The exercise will see Hon. Garwe touring 10 party districts, with a total of 15 000 party members set to receive mealie meal.

The gesture was aimed at cushioning vulnerable households and ensuring that the spirit of the New Year reached every kitchen in the district.

Hon. Garwe was quick to point out that the aid was a direct token of appreciation and care from the Head of State.

“No one and no place will be left behind. This mealie meal we are distributing today to these 1 500 families is a New Year gift from President Mnangagwa to the people of this constituency as a sign of his continued love and support. We have toured three districts today,” he said.

Throughout the interactive sessions, Hon. Garwe called for vigilance and loyalty to the national vision. He encouraged the crowds of supporters to ignore external pressures and focus on the tangible development occurring within their own communities.

“We must stand together and protect the progress we have made. Let us not be swayed by those who wish to see us fail, but rather stay committed to the path of development and the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” he said.

The tour concluded with local leaders praising Hon. Garwe’s hands-on approach, noting that the combination of immediate food relief and the upcoming fertiliser distribution would provide much-needed stability for the constituency in the coming months.

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Government Cracks Down on Luxury Vehicles, Foreign Trips by Officials

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The Government of Zimbabwe has announced strict new measures to curb spending by public officials, including an immediate clampdown on the purchase of luxury vehicles and non-essential foreign travel. The funds saved from these cuts will be redirected towards key sectors such as healthcare and education.

The move forms part of wider cost-cutting reforms being implemented under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), aimed at improving financial discipline across government. Authorities say the measures are necessary to reduce pressure on the national budget and prioritise spending that delivers direct benefits to citizens.

Under the new policy framework, the acquisition of high-end vehicles for official use will be tightly controlled, while foreign trips by public servants will be subject to stricter approval processes to ensure they are justified and essential.

According to a government statement, the initiative falls under NDS2’s “Expenditure Rationalisation” pillar, which seeks to eliminate unnecessary and inefficient spending. Officials acknowledged that excessive vehicle procurement and frequent overseas travel have become costly practices that are no longer sustainable.

The government said that over the next five years it will enforce firm controls on non-essential expenditure, with savings channelled towards critical areas such as public health, education, infrastructure development, and social protection programmes.

Authorities emphasised that the reforms reflect a commitment to responsible financial management, ensuring public resources are used efficiently and in ways that support national development priorities and improve the lives of Zimbabweans.

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War on Drugs Intensifies in Murehwa North

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War on Drugs Intensifies in Murehwa North
  • Hon. Daniel Garwe launches whirlwind constituency tour in Murehwa North

  • War declared on drug peddlers and child marriages as sting operations begin

  • 500 vulnerable households receive food aid during minister’s outreach program

Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Member of Parliament for Murehwa North, Honorable Daniel Garwe, has kicked off a high-octane whirlwind tour of his constituency, vowing to flush out drug dealers and protect the girl child from the scourge of early marriages.

The tour, which is set to cover 10 wards over the coming days, saw the legislator and Cabinet Minister for Local Government descend on Tongogara District today.

 

The visit was marked by a massive social-welfare intervention, where 500 vulnerable beneficiaries — including the elderly, widows, widowers, child-headed families, people living with disabilities, and village heads — received essential mealie-meal supplies to cushion them against food insecurity.

 

Addressing a capacity crowd, Hon. Garwe delivered a stern warning to those fueling social decay in the province, saying the era of impunity for those exploiting minors is over.

 

“The law will not blink when it comes to the protection of our children. I am warning every individual involved in the archaic and criminal practice of child marriages that your days of freedom are numbered. We will ensure you are brought to book without fear or favor,” said Hon. Garwe.

 

Turning his sights to the drug menace currently rocking Mashonaland East, the Provincial Chairman revealed that a security sting operation is already in motion.

 

He urged those struggling with addiction to seek help, while promising a tough stance against those selling drugs.

 

“To the drug and substance peddlers who are destroying the future of our youth, know this: a massive sting operation is already underway across the province, and we are coming for you because your predatory days are officially over.”

 

On the political front, Hon. Garwe called for “unity of purpose,” urging the community to move past petty divisions and focus on national development under the Second Republic.

 

He said that the developmental trajectory set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is a non-negotiable path toward prosperity.

 

“We must remain united as a people because development has no political color. Let us rally behind the visionary leadership of the Father of our Nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is working tirelessly to transform our livelihoods,” said Hon. Garwe.

 

“Let there be no doubt in anyone’s mind that the journey toward Vision 2030 is unstoppable. Here in Murehwa North, we are the foot soldiers who will ensure that no place and no one is left behind in this great industrialization drive,” he added.

 

Hon. Garwe said that the government remains committed to the welfare of beneficiaries, stressing that the distribution of food is a right — not a privilege — for the marginalized.

 

“Our presence here today with these supplies is a clear demonstration that the Second Republic cares for its most vulnerable — the widows, the elderly, and persons with disabilities — and we will continue to provide this safety net as we march toward an upper-middle-income society,” said Hon. Garwe.

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