Bata Shoe Company credited government efforts against smuggling for helping boost its workforce to approximately 1,350 employees, up from 1,200 the previous year. The footwear manufacturer shared this update during a visit from Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Thomas Utete Wushe to its Gweru facility. Country manager Simon Mutisya told reporters the company directly employs…
Zimbabwe’s economy has gained stability through tighter monetary controls, according to a recent International Monetary Fund report. The southern African nation expects growth to recover this year after slowing in 2024, helped by favorable weather and high gold prices. Annual inflation reached about 30 percent by December 2025, meeting government targets, while forecasts point toward…
Zambian electricity provider ZESCO Limited faces potential fines approaching $5 million after substantially surpassing its authorized water usage at Kariba Dam for electricity production by year’s end. The Zambezi River Authority projects the company will consume 4.7 billion cubic meters beyond its permitted share, triggering monetary sanctions totaling approximately $5.1 million. ZESCO and Zimbabwe Power…
President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised government officials for pushing agricultural output to $10.3 billion this year, exceeding an initial $8.2 billion objective despite severe drought conditions during the 2023-24 growing period. The head of state made his remarks in introductory comments for the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2, which establishes sector priorities through…
Building material costs showed varying trends during the third quarter of 2025 across Zimbabwe’s three pricing categories, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency. The quarterly inflation rate measured in ZiG currency slowed to 0.1 percent by September, down from 1 percent recorded three months earlier. Glass products, steel window frames, cement, and roof-mounted water…
Zimplats has started building a 45-megawatt solar facility worth $54 million as the platinum miner works toward energy independence and reduced dependence on Zimbabwe’s electrical grid. The company spent $12 million during the quarter ending on Sept. 30 and has allocated another $36 million for the Phase 2A project. Construction should finish in early 2027,…
A total of 82,965 tobacco farmers completed registration for the 2025-26 growing season before the Oct. 31 cutoff, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. The agency charges $10 for timely enrollment, but growers who miss the deadline face escalating fines that reach $90 if they wait until after sales begin. Registration requirements mandate…
South African stocks extended their winning run to eight consecutive months in October, marking the longest such streak since early 2013. The benchmark FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index climbed 1.5 percent during the month as investors responded to improved domestic economic prospects and expectations for easier monetary policy worldwide. Banking, technology and telecommunications companies drove…
Gold prices hovered near $4,000 per ounce on Friday as investors assessed a temporary agreement between Washington and Beijing that left underlying economic tensions unresolved. The precious metal dropped as much as 0.8 percent after gaining 2.4 percent during the prior trading session, snapping a four-session decline. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping…
Independent game developers dominated the Golden Joysticks 2025 Ultimate Game of the Year shortlist announced on Monday, claiming seven of 12 nominations despite a crowded field of major studio releases throughout the year. The recognition marks the first major awards ceremony to reveal its top game category for 2025. Five independently produced titles without backing…
