Category: zimbabwe

HARARE – The World Bank has trimmed Zimbabwe’s economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.6%, down from the 5.0% projection issued in January, signalling a moderation in economic activity following a strong rebound expected this year.

According to the latest edition of the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report released in June 2026, Zimbabwe’s economy is projected to expand by 4.6% next year before slowing further to 4.2% in 2027. The revised outlook follows an estimated 7.5% growth rate in 2025, one of the strongest performances in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The downgrade reflects a broader trend of easing growth across developing economies as global demand softens, commodity prices stabilise, and investment conditions remain constrained by tighter international financial markets.

Despite the downward revision, Zimbabwe is still expected to rank among the region’s faster-growing economies, supported by continued mining output, agricultural recovery, infrastructure investments, and relative macroeconomic stability compared to previous years.

The country’s economic performance in 2025 was largely underpinned by a strong agricultural season following favourable rainfall, increased gold production, expanding lithium exports, and improved electricity generation, which helped boost industrial activity and export earnings.

However, economists note that sustaining high growth rates beyond the rebound phase may prove challenging. Structural constraints, including limited access to long-term capital, infrastructure deficits, high business operating costs, and external debt arrears, continue to weigh on the economy’s long-term growth potential.

The World Bank’s latest projections suggest that Zimbabwe’s economy is transitioning from a post-drought recovery phase to a more moderate growth trajectory. While growth above 4% remains robust by regional standards, it falls short of the levels required to significantly accelerate job creation, reduce poverty, and achieve upper-middle-income ambitions within the coming decade.

For investors, the outlook presents a mixed picture. Strong prospects in mining—particularly gold, platinum group metals, lithium, and other critical minerals—continue to attract interest, while growing opportunities in agriculture, energy, and manufacturing remain dependent on policy consistency and improvements in the business environment.

The revised forecast also comes as authorities continue efforts to stabilise the ZiG currency, contain inflationary pressures, and strengthen fiscal discipline. Analysts say maintaining macroeconomic stability will be critical in preserving investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic expansion.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, growth is expected to remain uneven, with commodity-exporting nations benefiting from demand for critical minerals linked to the global energy transition, while countries facing debt distress and climate-related shocks are likely to experience weaker growth.

For Zimbabwe, the World Bank’s outlook suggests that while the economy remains on a positive growth path, the pace of expansion is expected to moderate after the strong gains recorded in 2025, underscoring the need for continued reforms to unlock higher levels of private-sector investment and productivity growth.

The post Zimbabwe’s Post-Recovery Growth Expected to Moderate, Says World Bank appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – For the thousands of women who form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s middle-class households, the news this week should have been a cause for celebration. The government officially approved a five per cent increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers, bumping the monthly floor from US$85 to US$90. But in the dimly lit […]

The post Zimbabwe’s Shameful Secret: Government increases all domestic workers salaries… as some bosses demand lula lula from their maids first appeared on My Zimbabwe News.

NEW YORK — A federal judge has tossed out singer Dawn Richard’s lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, saying most of her claims of emotional and physical abuse, including groping, were not filed in the required year after the described events.

Judge Katherine Polk Failla in a ruling dated Friday and released publicly on Monday said Richard can refile her claims in state court on one allegation against the hip-hop impresario but cannot refile claims that have missed the deadline by which a lawsuit must be filed under New York law by over a decade.

The judge flexed her vocabulary in writing that the court ruling “exists independently of its disapprobation of the factual allegations, which, if true, are execrable.” In lay terms, that means the court’s ruling is not based on whether the judge approves or disapproves of what Comb’s is accused of.

Arick Fudali, a lawyer for Richard, said the singer will refile her primary claim in state court under the gender-motivated violence act.

“We certainly agree with the Judge that the allegations in this case are execrable,” Fudali said in a statement sent by email, repeating “execrable,” which means extremely bad. “We intend to continue to fight for Dawn until justice is achieved.”

Lawyers for Combs did not immediately return requests for comment. When the lawsuit was filed in September 2024, his representatives said Combs was “shocked and disappointed” by the lawsuit and questioned why Richard would work with him so long if he were so bad.

Richard, a singer in the Bad Boy Records groups Danity Kane and Diddy — Dirty Money from 2004 to 2012, testified at last year’s New York trial where Combs was convicted on prostitution-related charges but was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking charges.

She told the jury in Manhattan federal court that she saw Combs beat his girlfriend in 2009 and that Combs later threatened her to remain silent about what she witnessed.

In her lawsuit, Richard alleged that during her eight-year association with Combs, she suffered abuse, manipulation and violence and was subjected to Combs routinely using disparaging language to describe women.

According to the lawsuit, Combs regularly deprived Richard and her bandmates of food and sleep and made her feel embarrassed and powerless when he angrily responded to her request that he clothe himself when he held meetings in his underwear.

The lawsuit also alleged that Richard was regularly subjected to drug-fueled parties where Combs and his friends would perform sexual acts on incapacitated young women.

She claimed Combs regularly exploded in rage, hurling cellular phones, laptops, food and studio equipment. At other times, the lawsuit said, Richard witnessed him choking and strangling his protege and longtime girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.

Ventura testified for several days at the trial that resulted in a four-year, two-month prison sentence for Combs.

The post Judge tosses out Dawn Richard’s lawsuit against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

LUSAKA – Australian uranium explorer Atomic Eagle has significantly expanded the mineralised footprint of its flagship Muntanga Uranium Project, reinforcing Zambia’s growing profile as a strategic destination for uranium investment amid rising global demand for nuclear energy.

The company announced that recent exploration drilling at the Chisebuka Deposit has successfully extended the known uranium resource area and identified additional higher-grade mineralised zones that could enhance the economics of a future large-scale mining operation.

According to a report by Business Insider Africa, the latest drilling campaign has expanded the northern high-grade uranium zone to a surface projection of approximately 900 metres by 600 metres, while a newly delineated south-western high-grade zone now extends roughly 830 metres by 400 metres.

The exploration success forms part of Atomic Eagle’s ongoing programme to unlock the full potential of the Muntanga project, which spans a 146-kilometre strike length near Lake Kariba and comprises four mining licences and two exploration licences.

The company reported that 42 drill holes covering 4,209 metres have now been completed at Chisebuka, with results confirming continuity of uranium mineralisation beyond previously established resource boundaries.

Chief Executive Officer Phil Hoskins said the first phase of the 2026 exploration programme had exceeded expectations by both expanding the existing resource and uncovering an additional higher-grade zone.

“Subject to further studies, Chisebuka is demonstrating the potential to be a major contributor towards the company’s target of a larger-scale mine,” Hoskins said.

The executive added that parallel exploration activities across the broader licence area had generated promising new targets that had never previously been drill-tested.

Ground radiometric surveys completed across six initial target areas have helped refine exploration priorities, while two drilling rigs have now been deployed at the Muntanga North prospect to commence the first phase of drilling.

Further exploration momentum is expected later this year after access clearance was secured for the Namakande 1 and Namakande 2 targets, where radiometric surveys are scheduled ahead of drilling planned for the third quarter of 2026.

The latest developments come as global uranium markets continue to benefit from renewed investment in nuclear power generation, driven by energy security concerns, decarbonisation targets and growing electricity demand from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centres.

For Zambia, the expansion of uranium exploration activity represents a potential opportunity to diversify its mining sector beyond copper, attracting fresh foreign direct investment and strengthening its position within the global critical minerals value chain.

Atomic Eagle has also indicated plans to commence diamond drilling during the fourth quarter of 2026 to obtain core samples for metallurgical testing and grade verification, key steps toward advancing the project’s long-term development strategy.

The continued expansion of mineralised zones at Chisebuka is expected to play an important role in future resource growth and feasibility studies as the company works towards establishing what could become one of Zambia’s emerging uranium mining operations.

The post Australian Miner Expands Zambia Uranium Resource Base Exploration appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

HARARE – Zimbabwe has approved a substantial increase in minimum wages, lifting the wage floor for workers in unclassified sectors by 80% and introducing a new graded pay structure for domestic workers, in a move that signals growing confidence in the stability of the country’s ZiG currency regime and broader economic recovery.

The wage adjustments, approved following recommendations from the Wages and Salaries Advisory Council (WASC), come as policymakers seek to balance rising living costs with the need to sustain economic growth, employment creation and industrial competitiveness.

Under the new framework, the minimum wage for workers in unclassified sectors has been increased from US$150 per month to US$270 per month, while domestic workers will now earn between US$90 and US$117 per month depending on their responsibilities and qualifications.

The wage review represents one of the most significant labour market interventions since the introduction of the ZiG currency and is expected to affect thousands of workers outside collective bargaining arrangements and National Employment Council structures.

Higher wage floor reflects changing economic conditions

The revised wage structure follows a period of improving macroeconomic stability, moderating inflation and stronger foreign currency inflows.

Authorities say the increase reflects both rising household cost pressures and improved economic performance across key sectors.

The previous wage threshold was established under Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024, which set a minimum wage of US$150 for workers not covered by sector-specific wage agreements.

The new US$270 benchmark marks a significant uplift aimed at strengthening workers’ purchasing power while supporting domestic demand in the economy.

Economists note that the increase comes against the backdrop of stronger economic growth projections and a more stable monetary environment than existed during previous local currency regimes.

Unlike earlier wage adjustments that were often eroded by rapid currency depreciation, the latest framework maintains the wage floor in United States dollar terms while allowing payment in ZiG at the prevailing interbank exchange rate.

This means workers are protected from immediate erosion of value associated with exchange-rate volatility that characterised previous monetary systems.

Domestic workers gain structured wage framework

A notable feature of the reforms is the introduction of a differentiated wage scale for domestic workers, replacing the traditional one-size-fits-all approach.

Under the new structure, yard workers and gardeners will earn a minimum of US$90 per month, while cooks and housekeepers will receive at least US$99.

Workers providing care for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities will earn a minimum of US$108, while minders possessing a recognised Red Cross Certificate will receive US$117.

Labour market analysts say the new framework formally recognises differences in skills, responsibilities and professional qualifications within the domestic work sector for the first time.

The premium attached to Red Cross-certified caregivers is being viewed as a significant policy shift, creating a direct financial incentive for workers to acquire recognised professional training.

The new system also aligns with broader efforts to professionalise care services and improve standards within household employment.

Tripartite consensus boosts compliance prospects

Business leaders and labour representatives participated in the wage-setting process through the Wages and Salaries Advisory Council, a tripartite body comprising government, employers and organised labour.

The council includes representatives from organisations such as the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

Analysts say this consultative approach is likely to improve compliance levels because employers and labour groups were directly involved in determining the new wage thresholds.

Historically, minimum wage regulations imposed without broad stakeholder engagement often struggled to achieve full implementation, particularly in sectors dominated by informal employment.

The government hopes the consensus-driven approach will improve enforcement while reducing tensions between employers and workers.

Wage reforms coincide with improving macroeconomic outlook

The wage review comes at a time when authorities are projecting continued economic expansion supported by mining, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure investment.

Recent monetary policy indicators point to easing inflationary pressures, improved foreign exchange inflows and increased reserve accumulation.

The government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe have repeatedly argued that the stability of the ZiG currency has created conditions for more predictable wage and pricing structures.

Business leaders, however, are expected to closely monitor the impact of higher labour costs on productivity and profitability, particularly among smaller enterprises operating with narrow margins.

Living wage debate likely to intensify

While labour organisations have welcomed the increase, economists note that the new minimum wage levels may reignite debate over what constitutes a living wage in Zimbabwe.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the Zimbabwe Tripartite Negotiating Forum Global Summit on Inclusive Growth, Decent Work, Beneficiation and Investment Promotion scheduled for September in Victoria Falls.

The summit is expected to bring together policymakers, employers, labour representatives and international organisations to discuss wage policies, productivity, social protection and economic competitiveness.

For now, the wage reforms represent a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s labour market landscape, reflecting both a stronger emphasis on worker welfare and growing confidence that the country’s evolving monetary framework can support meaningful wage gains without triggering the inflationary spirals that undermined previous salary adjustments.

As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030 development agenda, policymakers increasingly view stable wages, currency stability and sustained productivity growth as interconnected pillars of long-term economic transformation.

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