Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE is projected to achieve economic growth of up to 5% in 2026, according to the World Bank, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasting a 4.6% expansion. The projections reflect growing confidence in the country’s recovery and investment potential.
Both institutions, which maintain offices in Zimbabwe, outlined their forecasts in the latest Global Economic Outlook, highlighting agriculture, mining, and other strategic sectors as key drivers of growth.
University of Zimbabwe Economics Lecturer, Dr Moses Chundu, said the projections signal a positive shift in international perceptions of Zimbabwe’s economy.
“The IMF and the World Bank have robust methods of assessing growth rates, so whatever they say removes any doubts from the people regarding the projections. Given the good agriculture season, the expectations from the two institutions are that this will be followed by mining and other strategic sectors,” he said.
While showing a promising outlook for the global economy, the IMF and World Bank data state that economies, including Zimbabwe, should safeguard their gains by reducing debts, stimulating productivity, increasing exports, taking advantage of the AI growth and continuously seeking to stabilise currencies.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube is on record saying Zimbabwe is ready to work with the global financiers like the World Bank and the IMF.
“An International Monetary Fund team will be in Zimbabwe during the first week of February to further assess our policies and indication of how we intend to work together, riding on the ongoing engagement and reengagement drive,” he said.
The 2026 global economic outlook shows how global economies are expected to grow, owing to budget implementation and efforts to improve people’s standards of living.
