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.
