Source: Zim creates half a million jobs in the past two years – herald
Emmanuel Kafe
ZIMBABWE created almost half a million jobs in the past two years, with nearly half — 238 000 — registered last year, latest statistics from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) reveal, pointing to the continued growth of the economy under the Second Republic.
According to NSSA, a statutory body responsible for administering social security and pension schemes for formally employed workers in Zimbabwe, new employment increased from 226 000 in 2024 to 238 000 in 2025, while the number of new employers rose from 4 600 to 5 500, representing a 15 percent jump.
Cumulatively, more than 464 000 jobs were created over the past two years.
The figures suggest a steady broadening of the formal economy as businesses scale up operations and absorb more workers.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) describes an employee as anyone working for a public or private employer for more than 30 hours per week, while an employer is any individual or entity employing workers beyond that threshold.
NSSA chief executive officer Dr Charles Shava said the latest employment figures point to rising economic activity and strengthening confidence across key sectors.
“The increase in registered employers and new employments is a positive indicator for the economy. It shows that businesses are expanding and more Zimbabweans are entering formal employment,” said Dr Shava.
“This also strengthens social protection coverage as more workers become part of the national social security system.”
The statistics further show that the number of active employees under NSSA increased from 1,36 million in 2024 to 1,39 million in 2025, while the total number of employees — active and inactive — rose from 3,7 million to 3,9 million.
Economic analysts say the expansion in formal employment is likely to ripple through the economy, lifting household incomes, supporting consumer demand and bolstering Government revenue collections.
The rise in the number of jobs comes as President Mnangagwa’s administration intensifies efforts to drive private sector-led growth through industrialisation, infrastructure development and investment promotion.
Massive public infrastructure projects — including roads, dams, border modernisation and energy developments — have injected momentum into sectors such as construction, mining, manufacturing and transport, generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Speaking during Workers’ Day commemorations last week, President Mnangagwa warned against the casualisation of labour, urging employers to provide secure and decent jobs, in line with labour laws.
The President said economic growth must translate into improved livelihoods for ordinary Zimbabweans.
International financial institutions have also taken note of Zimbabwe’s improving economic outlook.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently projected Zimbabwe’s economy to grow by 6 percent this year, driven by improved agricultural output, mining expansion and tighter fiscal and monetary policies.
The IMF said increased economic activity, strong mineral prices and better climate conditions were helping to underpin the country’s recovery.
Zimbabwe’s mining sector, particularly gold and lithium, together with manufacturing and agriculture, continues to anchor economic growth and employment creation.
The rise in formal employment is also expected to strengthen pension contributions and broaden social security coverage under NSSA.
Beyond pensions, NSSA administers the Accident Prevention and Workers’ Compensation Scheme, which provides compensation, rehabilitation and medical support for workers injured on duty.
Dr Shava said the authority remains committed to supporting workers and employers while reinforcing workplace protection systems.
“As more employers register and formal employment expands, we are laying a stronger foundation for social security and long-term economic resilience,” he said.
With investment continuing to flow into mining, agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure, the latest employment figures are expected to further reinforce confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory and the Vision 2030 agenda.
The Government is currently pushing a number of new policies to boost the country’s industrial base and employment sectors.
Cabinet has since approved the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP2) 2026-2030, which seeks to accelerate economic transformation and support the National Development Strategy 2.
Cabinet has also approved the National Formalisation Strategy and the National Employment Policy (2026-2030).
The National Formalisation Strategy seeks to integrate informal workers and enterprises into the formal economy by improving access to social security, labour rights and financial services.
As the economy has continued to expand, capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector has resultantly risen to 57 percent during the first three months of the year, up from 47,7 percent in the same period last year.
In a recent interview, Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu told The Sunday Mail that the “performance of industry has brought with it numerous new jobs, similarly with commerce”.
“At the ZITF (Zimbabwe International Trade Fair), I visited Paramount Garments in Bulawayo, and they are operating at almost 80 percent capacity, employing just over a thousand people and the average age there is 25 years,” he said.
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