Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
CURRENCY stability is expected to dominate the 2026 Monetary Policy Statement to be presented this week by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mushayavanhu.
Zimbabweans are expected to receive guidance on key economic indicators, including inflation trends, measures to sustain currency stability, banking sector performance, the direction of interest rates and the foreign currency earnings roadmap for 2026.
The policy statement comes as Zimbabwe records a 4.1 percent domestic currency inflation rate the first such milestone since 1997, raising expectations within the business community that monetary authorities will maintain a tight policy stance to safeguard the gains.
Economic analyst Mr Jonathan Dube said the statement would be pivotal in refining current policy measures.
“This monetary policy is therefore critical as it will enable the central bank to have a relook into the current policies and focus on those issues that stimulate production across all the sectors of the economy,” he said.
As the RBZ outlines its 2026 agenda, calls are mounting for measures that enhance policy certainty, including the possible introduction of new notes to buttress ZiG gains and boost savings within the banking sector.
Operations Director at Geosard Engineering, Mr George Sadziwa, underscored the need for consistency.
“Certainty is key, we need those policies that make it easier to plan and do our activities without any challenges, and if this is sustained, then indeed the nation will further build up on such gains,” he said.
Under the current framework, exporters retain 70 percent of their earnings in foreign currency and surrender 30 percent to the central bank at the prevailing official rate in exchange for ZiG. The arrangement is expected to come under scrutiny as Zimbabwe seeks to increase foreign currency inflows from agriculture, mining, tourism and horticulture.
Tax Partner at Baker Tilly, Mr Simba Hamudi, said exports remain central to economic stability.
“Exports play a critical role, and we are looking forward to seeing what will be done to unlock more value for this strategic component of the economy that also brings in more foreign currency,” he said.
The policy statement is expected later this month following consultations. It also comes after an International Monetary Fund mission to Zimbabwe described the tight monetary policy stance as key to achieving a five percent growth target by year-end.
