Harare — One person is feared dead after a Toyota D4D truck plunged into the Mukuvisi River near the Trabablas Interchange today.

The incident occurred during what was reportedly a routine drive, which suddenly turned tragic when the vehicle veered off the road and landed in the river. Emergency services attended the scene, while investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

More details to Follow:

Banking sector reforms and deeper financial markets are central to Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with Government aiming to increase financial inclusion to above 90 percent by 2030.

Under the 2026–2030 economic framework, the financial services sector has been identified as a key driver of inclusive growth, investment mobilisation and long-term economic stability. Authorities plan to broaden access to formal banking services, strengthen savings and credit uptake, and accelerate the use of digital financial solutions to support economic participation.

Through NDS2, Government intends to bring millions of currently unbanked and underbanked citizens into the formal financial system, while repositioning banks to better support productive sectors of the economy.

However, the Actuarial Society of Zimbabwe (ASZ) has warned that meeting these ambitions will require significant changes in banking models, particularly in risk assessment, capital deployment and revenue generation.

In its analysis of NDS2’s impact on the financial sector, ASZ said conventional lending approaches will be inadequate, especially when extending credit to sectors such as agriculture and small to medium enterprises (SMEs).

“To lend prudently to productive sectors under NDS2, banks must adopt actuarial-based credit risk models that incorporate alternative data beyond traditional collateral requirements,” the Society noted.

ASZ further highlighted that the proposed reforms demand a shift away from compliance-focused capital calculations towards more strategic capital management.

“Risk and actuarial professionals must focus on allocating capital to business lines that deliver returns above the cost of capital, rather than merely meeting regulatory thresholds,” the report said.

NDS2 also prioritises lower transaction costs and the expansion of financial technology through Regulatory Sandboxes, as Government seeks to promote affordable, digital-driven financial inclusion.

At the same time, the strategy introduces stricter Risk-Based Capital (RBC) frameworks across the sector — a development ASZ says will fundamentally reshape banks’ income structures. The Society noted that heavy reliance on non-interest income, which has historically insulated banks from lending risks, will increasingly come under regulatory scrutiny.

“This will compel banks to depend more on funded income from lending and high-volume digital transactions. While this supports financial deepening, institutions that fail to adapt may struggle to remain sustainable,” ASZ said.

According to the Society, the transition to full RBC regimes for both banks and insurers will expose inefficiencies in capital utilisation.

“Institutions holding idle capital or excessive risk without adequate returns will experience declining returns on equity,” ASZ warned.

Beyond financial inclusion, NDS2 places strong emphasis on infrastructure development and sustainable finance, with Government increasingly relying on non-budgetary funding mechanisms.

These include infrastructure bonds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Green Bonds, which are expected to become important tools for financing long-term development projects.

ASZ anticipates growth in specialised financial instruments under this policy direction, noting that they could help address the shortage of quality long-term assets needed by pension funds and insurance companies.

The Society added that prescribed asset frameworks are likely to evolve to prioritise infrastructure-linked and developmental investments.

“As a result, actuaries and investment analysts will need enhanced skills in valuing complex infrastructure projects and assessing climate-related risks,” the report said.

ASZ also cautioned that environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are now integral to financial sector growth, urging institutions to adopt ESG frameworks urgently.

According to the Society, access to international funding and local green finance incentives will increasingly depend on strong ESG compliance, positioning sustainability as a core component of financial deepening under NDS2 rather than an optional add-on.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to orderly urban management and improved service delivery, as it moves to address the challenge of illegal vending in cities.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting held at the Bulawayo City Council Chambers, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable A.T. Mavhunga, said the Government’s approach to vending relocation is aimed at creating safe, dignified and sustainable trading environments, while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery.

The meeting focused on assessing illegal vending sites and inspecting proposed relocation areas, allowing Government to evaluate progress made by local authorities, identify gaps and offer policy guidance in line with existing legislation.

Hon. Mavhunga commended local authorities and stakeholders for their cooperation, stressing that vendor relocation is not an end in itself but a strategy to promote urban order, protect public health and safety, and support sustainable livelihoods.

He acknowledged the critical role played by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in sustaining livelihoods and driving local economies, noting that they are an important pillar in Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 of becoming an upper middle-income economy.

However, the Deputy Minister emphasised the need to balance economic activity with orderly urban planning, environmental health and public safety.

“This engagement is guided by the Government’s No Compromise to Service Delivery Blueprint, which demands efficient, consistent and uninterrupted service delivery by local authorities,” he said.

Hon. Mavhunga noted that illegal vending in undesignated areas often disrupts refuse collection, sanitation services and access to public infrastructure, creating challenges for both councils and traders.

He reminded local authorities that their actions are grounded in the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 29:15], which empowers councils to regulate land use, designate vending sites and enforce compliance with by-laws in a lawful and transparent manner. He also highlighted the need for compliance with Minimum Service Delivery Standards to ensure trading spaces are safe, clean and sustainable.

The Deputy Minister praised Bulawayo City Council for accommodating 4,488 traders in the Central Business District and 4,691 in suburban areas, describing the effort as commendable. However, he expressed concern over the more than 2,000 unregulated traders still operating in the CBD, which he said contributes to congestion and strains city services.

He further revealed that of the 11,047 planned vending bays in suburban areas, only 4,691 are currently occupied, leaving over 6,300 bays unused.

Calling for a collaborative approach guided by the principles of devolution and decentralisation, Hon. Mavhunga urged the Bulawayo City Council to ring-fence funds for the development and upgrading of MSME workspaces.

“This should be viewed not as an expense, but as an investment in the city’s economic future and social stability,” he said.

He encouraged traders to operate from designated sites, assuring them that regulation is meant to protect their safety and support legitimate, long-term business growth.

In his closing remarks, the Deputy Minister outlined a vision of an organised and decentralised economy, with vibrant suburban markets, an orderly Central Business District and decent trading spaces for all MSME operators.

“This is a shared journey,” he said. “Government, local authorities and traders must each play their part in building resilient urban economies that promote dignity, order and prosperity.”