The Zimbabwe Economic Pulse (ZEP) is a flagship report of the Africa Economic Development Strategies and Business Times, which provides hard facts, granular information and forecasts on the country’s economic prospects grounded in rigorous economic inquiry and analysis. The ZEP seeks to fill in fundamental lacuna of independent views on the state of the economy and economic prospects which is anchored by economic modelling, deep analysis of existing data and development of powerful insights.
Zimbabwe suffers from a shortage of good-quality, well-analysed economic data and information. Ironically, raw data is available from various sources such as the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, ZimStat, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, various ministries, departments and agencies, the World Bank’s Development Indicators, the UNDP Human Development Index, the International Trade Centre, and IMF financial statistics. On a monthly basis, AEDS will produce the Zimbabwe Business and Economic Intelligence report, which will provide uninterrupted granular information on economic developments in Zimbabwe by breaking existing data into meaningful insights that may not be readily apparent. AEDS envisages to establish a regional one-stop shop and a dashboard for modelled and forecasted macroeconomic fundamentals, which are key to inform both business and public policy. The platform will focus on: (a) stock price developments; (b) exchange rate dynamics; (c) inflation developments; (d) unemployment; (e) balance of payment; (f) national debt and its impact on the economy; (g) commodity prices, both local and international; (h) gross domestic product and economic outlook; (i) impact of trade agreements and investment deals on African economies; and (j) exogenous shocks and their impact on African economies.
The Zimbabwe Business Focus is AEDS’ flagship quarterly investment promotion magazine which showcases high-potential opportunities across Zimbabwe’s key sectors and provinces, including mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure, and renewable energy. It will present data-driven insights into resource endowments, market potential, and value chain opportunities, while profiling strategic projects, Special Economic Zones, and industrial clusters. The report will also highlight policy incentives, regulatory reforms, and ease of doing business improvements, alongside emerging opportunities in value addition, export diversification, digital transformation, and climate-smart investments. Through investor case studies, success stories, and public-private partnerships, it will demonstrate bankable opportunities, strengthen investor confidence, and position Zimbabwe as a competitive gateway to regional and global markets, while providing a platform for business visibility, engagement, and stakeholder networking.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources and the Agricultural Marketing Authority, in partnership with AEDS, will host the inaugural National Agriculture Conference on from 24 to 25 September 2026. The conference is conceived as a high-level policy, investment, and knowledge-sharing platform aimed at consolidating recent sector gains while addressing persistent structural and climate-related challenges. It will provide a strategic interface between government, the private sector, development partners, research institutions, and other relevant actors to align priorities, unlock investment, and strengthen implementation coherence under AFSRTS-2. Specifically, the conference will: (a) present the State of the Agricultural Sector Study as the main output; (b) launch the Localisation Strategy; (c) facilitate public–private dialogue; (d) align stakeholders around Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (2026–2030) priorities; and (e) promote Zimbabwe as an investment-ready agricultural economy. Overall, this is a must-attend conference because it goes beyond dialogue towards actionable outcomes, including investment commitments, policy alignment, and strengthened partnerships for sustainable agricultural transformation.
The AEDS’ Market Watch is a leading newsletter produced monthly by AEDS, providing real-time market data, business news, analysis of emerging economic trends and policy issues, and investment tools for both individual and institutional investors. The AEDS’ Market Watch serves a diverse audience, including both individual and institutional investors, financial advisors, and corporate executives. It covers news and analysis designed to help readers track market performance, identity investment opportunities and make informed financial decisions.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in partnership with AEDS and ZimTrade hosted the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE) at the HICC, Harare on 23 – 24 July 2026. The event combined a high-level conference and exhibition aimed at accelerating Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation. The Head of State and Government, H.E. Dr E.D Mnangagwa, gave a keynote address and called for an urgent national push to scale up local beneficiation, value addition, and the export of processed products to position the country as a competitive regional industrial hub. One of the major highlights of the event was the Ministers’ Dialogue – a plenary session with economic cluster ministers. The session addressed impediments affecting industrial competitiveness and recommended the way forward. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, financiers, and technology providers to explore key issues, including the implementation of industrial policy, value addition and beneficiation, access to industrial finance, export competitiveness, and digital transformation through Industry 4.0 technologies. The Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo showcased investment opportunities across manufacturing value chains, including mineral beneficiation, agro-processing, and the iron and steel industry, while facilitating business-to-business engagements and partnerships.
The Africa Economic Development Strategies hosted the Mid-Term Economic Review and High-Level Policy Dialogue on July 2, 2026, at Cresta Lodge. The high-level gathering served as a stock-taking platform for the first six months of the fiscal year to analyse domestic trends, evaluate independent economic modelling and directly inform Zimbabwe’s forthcoming Mid-Term Fiscal Policy and Monetary Policy review.
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe deputy governor Dr Innocent Matshe assured delegates at the forum that the central bank remained committed to protecting economic stability gains, ensuring the market retains its newfound predictability.
Africa Economic Development Strategies executive director Prof Gift Mugano called on Treasury to create stronger demand for the local currency through tax policy changes in the mid-term budget review expected later this month to accelerate the transition to a mono-currency system.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu, represented by the Ministry’s Acting Director, Ruvimbo Sandauke, said government is intensifying efforts to promote local products and reduce reliance on imports that are draining billions of dollars from the economy and straining national budgets.
Africa Economic Development Strategies board chairman Dr Farai Matanhire said the economy was showing broad-based resilience despite severe pressures from global geopolitical fragmentation and trade disputes.
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairman Tafadzwa Musarara said authorities should ensure that the local currency is entrenched in the local agricultural value chain.
Economist Brains Muchemwa commended the growing culture of discipline among policymakers, noting that the resulting economic stability is historic and represents a significant departure from previous years.
The forum brought together business executives, policymakers, monetary authorities and government officials, who emphasised that maintaining discipline was now vital to accelerating investment across all value chains and driving industrialisation.
