Itai Mazire

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has officially set the stage for the 2026 tobacco marketing season, announcing that the golden leaf will begin hitting the floors in early March.

In a statement that has sent ripples of excitement through the agricultural sector, the regulator confirmed that auction tobacco sales will commence on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, followed by contract tobacco sales on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

The announcement brings much-needed clarity to thousands of growers across the country who have been meticulously preparing their crop for the market.

Butressing the importance of quality, the TIMB issued a spirited call to action in Shona: “Ngatigadzirei fodya yemandorokwati nokuti fodya yakanaka inozvitengesa yoga!” (Let us prepare high-quality tobacco because good tobacco sells itself!)

In a move aimed at ensuring the viability of tobacco farming, the TIMB has maintained a favorable payment structure for the upcoming season.

Growers are set to receive a significant portion of their earnings in hard currency, providing a crucial buffer against local inflationary pressures.

“TIMB wishes to advise tobacco growers that for the 2026 Marketing Season they will receive 70 percent of their payments in foreign currency (USD) while the remaining 30 percent will be paid in local currency (ZiG),” TIMB stated.

This 70/30 split is expected to empower farmers to reinvest in their operations, procure essential inputs, and settle international obligations, further cementing tobacco’s status as the nation’s premier foreign currency earner.

The 2026 season opens under the shadow of a historic 2025 performance, where the industry shattered multiple records.

Last year, Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector reached unprecedented heights, driven by favorable weather conditions and increased hectrage.

The jump from 232 million kilograms in 2024 to over 350 million kilograms in 2025 represented a monumental leap for the industry.

This surge in production saw earnings soar to a staggering US$1.2 billion, providing a massive boost to the national treasury.

As the 2026 season approaches, stakeholders are optimistic that the momentum from the previous year’s record-breaking harvest will carry forward. With the auction floors set to open in just a few weeks, all eyes are now on the quality of the leaf and the opening prices, as Zimbabwe looks to maintain its position as a global tobacco powerhouse.

Backs Constitutional Amendment No. 3: A Pillar for Stability and Growth

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has thrown its full weight behind the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill, declaring it essential for robust governance and enhanced state efficiency.

This powerful endorsement from the retail sector shows the amendment’s perceived role in securing national progress, investor confidence and sustained economic growth.

CZR President Cde. Denford Mutashu said the retailers’ stance, emphasising that “Peace, security and stability are the bedrock of National progress.” He indicated these as crucial for investor confidence, asset protection and policy continuity, all vital for achieving Vision 2030 under the National Development Strategy (NDS1 and NDS2).

The CZR’s support is firmly rooted in the tangible economic gains witnessed under the Second Republic.

Dr Mutashu cited a projected GDP surge from USD 20 billion in 2017 to USD 52 billion by 2025, inflation stabilized at 4.1 percent and restored fuel and energy stability.

Record outputs in gold, tobacco and wheat, alongside widespread infrastructure development and renewed investor confidence, were presented as clear evidence of progress.

In a bold move, the CZR explicitly endorsed extending President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030.

Dr Mutashu argued that “development requires leadership continuity to complete transformative projects and consolidate national gains,” asserting that current stability must not be jeopardised by “perpetual election cycles.”

“As retailers operating in every community, we witness daily the benefits of a stable environment.”

The CZR stands resolutely behind this constitutional reform, viewing it as a critical safeguard for stability and a catalyst for Zimbabwe’s accelerated journey towards an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

This strong backing from a key economic player signals significant business community alignment with the amendment, positioning it as indispensable for economic continuity and national development.

Dr. Mutashu said the CZR’s rationale for endorsing the Amendment Bill, “Peace, security, and stability are the bedrock of National progress. These pillars guarantee investor confidence, protect productive assets, and ensure policy continuity-essential elements for sustainable economic growth under NDS1 and NDS2 as we advance toward Vision 2030.

“Commerce flourishes where peace prevails. The stability we enjoy today must not be disrupted by perpetual election cycles.

“We therefore support extending His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, as development requires leadership continuity to complete transformative projects and consolidate national gains.

“The Second Republic is delivering measurable progress. As retailers operating in every community, we witness daily the benefits of a stable environment.

“We stand firmly behind this constitutional reform process that safeguards stability and accelerates our journey toward an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” said Dr Mutashu.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has appointed its former Chief Operating Officer, Fayaz King, as the Chief Executive Officer of its newly established infrastructure subsidiary, Econet InfraCo.

King is making a return to the telecommunications giant after departing in 2019 to serve as Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). He is set to assume his new role on 1 March 2026.

Econet InfraCo is expected to list on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) toward the end of March, subject to shareholder approval of Econet’s proposed delisting from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and transition to an over-the-counter trading platform overseen by the VFEX.