Zimbabwe recorded foreign currency inflows totaling US$7.3 billion in the first six months of 2025, according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) latest Monetary Policy Statement (MPS).

RBZ Governor Dr. John Mushayavanhu, while delivering the Mid-Term Budget Review this week, announced that the country saw a 23.1% increase in forex receipts compared to the US$5.9 billion received during the same period in 2024.

On the expenditure side, Zimbabwe’s foreign payments rose to US$5.0 billion—up 17% from US$4.3 billion recorded in the first half of 2024.

Dr. Mushayavanhu highlighted that the improvement in foreign currency inflows is expected to boost the country’s current account surplus, which is projected to grow from US$501.2 million in 2024 to US$621.7 million in 2025. This positive trend is largely attributed to stronger export performance and rising remittances.

The MPS also indicates that Zimbabwe’s banking sector remains stable and resilient, despite isolated prudential concerns. By June 30, 2025, 17 of the 19 banking institutions were in compliance with the minimum regulatory capital thresholds.

The non-performing loans (NPL) ratio improved to 2.89%, down from 3.37% at the end of December 2024.

Meanwhile, diaspora remittances reached US$635.2 million during the first half of 2025—marking a 7.1% year-on-year increase.

The central bank projects that total remittances for the full year will grow by 4.9%, from US$2.6 billion in 2024 to US$2.7 billion in 2025.

Acknowledging the critical role of the Zimbabwean diaspora, authorities emphasized the government’s commitment to deepening engagement with the diaspora to support national development initiatives

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Minister of Industry and Commerce Hon. N. M. Ndlovu officially opened the 2025 Mid-Year Strategic Plan Review Workshop in Kadoma, calling for renewed urgency, accountability, and strategic foresight as Zimbabwe moves into the final phase of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

Addressing delegates at the Rainbow Hotel in Kadoma, Minister Ndlovu described the workshop as a critical opportunity to reflect on progress, recalibrate efforts, and recommit to Zimbabwe’s industrial and commercial transformation agenda.

“This workshop arrives at a defining juncture,” he said. “As we draw closer to the completion of NDS1 and the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRGP), we must also lay the foundation for NDS2 and the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (ZNIDP 2).”

The Minister emphasized that the review must go beyond administrative formalities, urging participants to focus on revitalizing the manufacturing sector, enhancing local content, expanding commercial activity, and driving rural industrialization.

Minister Ndlovu challenged ministry officials and stakeholders to assess achievements critically, embrace shortcomings with humility, and extract lessons that can improve execution.

“Our strategic plan must meet three non-negotiable criteria,”  Minister Ndlovu said. “It must be actionable, measurable, and accountable.”

He called for “anticipatory governance” within the Ministry, stressing the need for proactive and adaptive leadership in a fast-changing global economic environment. “We must be relentless in implementation,” Minister Ndlovu added.

The workshop brought together top ministry officials, heads of state-owned enterprises, parastatals, and facilitators from the Public Service Academy. The Minister acknowledged the vital role of stakeholders in shaping national policy and industrial strategy.

“Your insights are the vessel in which we will forge better policies,” Minister Ndlovu told attendees. “As sector leaders, your perspectives will directly influence Zimbabwe’s industrial trajectory.”

The Minister expressed appreciation for the Public Service Academy’s role in facilitating the review, saying its expertise would sharpen the Ministry’s priorities and improve performance frameworks.

Concluding his address, Minister Ndlovu officially declared the Strategic Plan Review Workshop open, urging all participants to contribute meaningfully.

“This is not merely an administrative exercise,” Minister Ndlovu . “It is our opportunity to catapult the Ministry into the top tier of government performance, where we rightfully belong.”

The workshop ran from July 24–25, 2025, and is expected to produce a refined action plan aligned with the country’s broader economic development goals.

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has officially launched the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025–2030), a comprehensive blueprint aimed at steering the growth and modernization of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector over the next five years.

Speaking at the launch event, President Mnangagwa underscored the increasing importance of tourism as a pillar of economic development, noting that the industry has become one of the key contributors to the national GDP.

He highlighted that Zimbabwe’s GDP has risen significantly, from US$16 billion in 2018 to US$44 billion in 2025, a growth he attributed in part to strategic sectoral development.

“The unveiling of this policy comes at an opportune time,” said President Mnangagwa. “It aligns closely with our national development agenda and reflects our commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism industry.”

The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy builds on the Government’s broader Tourism Growth Strategy, which aims to stimulate domestic and international tourism, improve infrastructure, and promote the country as a destination of choice.

The policy outlines key pillars, including sustainable development, digital transformation, cultural preservation, and community involvement.

President Mnangagwa commended stakeholders for placing people and communities at the heart of the policy, stressing that the realisation of a balanced tourism sector is essential for equitable development.

He emphasized that rural and urban communities alike must benefit from tourism initiatives, and reiterated the need for continuous engagement with citizens to ensure their voices are heard.

“Connectivity and accessibility to our tourism destinations remain a priority area,” he said. “We must also leverage digital platforms and ICT to enhance the sector’s visibility and efficiency.”

The President called for the policy’s implementation to be grounded in a whole-of-government approach, with all ministries and agencies working together to achieve common goals. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, calling for greater attention to the preservation of flora and fauna.

Several key projects have already been completed under the Second Republic to support the tourism sector, including infrastructure upgrades and improved accessibility to major tourist attractions.

The President noted that such investments have laid a solid foundation for the successful rollout of the new policy.

“Our tourism must remain anchored in our rich culture, traditions, and values,” he added, highlighting that Zimbabwe’s unique identity is central to its appeal as a travel destination.

The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025–2030) is expected to serve as a strategic compass for both public and private stakeholders in navigating the evolving global tourism landscape, while ensuring that Zimbabwe’s development is inclusive, environmentally responsible, and economically rewarding.

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