ZIMBABWE TOURISM EXPANSION, MINING REVENUE AND ECONOMIC REFORMS DOMINATE THE NATIONAL AGENDA
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
ZIMBABWE TOURISM EXPANSION, MINING REVENUE AND ECONOMIC REFORMS DOMINATE THE NATIONAL AGENDA
Zimbabwe is seeking to strengthen economic growth through tourism, mining, investment and infrastructure while confronting persistent challenges involving public finances, informal trading and economic governance.
The country's latest economic agenda is closely connected to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 programme, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
TOURISM TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Zimbabwe has recently hosted the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo, with the 2026 edition running from 9 to 12 September.
The event is significant because Masvingo is home to Great Zimbabwe, one of Africa's most important archaeological and cultural sites.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has described the decision to take the tourism expo to different provinces as part of the government's devolution strategy.
The objective is to ensure tourism investment reaches areas outside Harare and Victoria Falls.
GREAT ZIMBABWE
Great Zimbabwe provides Zimbabwe with an exceptional tourism asset.
The stone city is one of Africa's most important pre-colonial archaeological sites.
Its presence gives Zimbabwe an opportunity to develop cultural tourism alongside wildlife tourism.
The combination of Great Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls and the country's other attractions provides a diverse tourism portfolio.
TOURISM ARRIVALS
Zimbabwe's tourism sector has been recovering strongly.
The government wants to use increased visitor numbers to generate foreign exchange, create jobs and encourage investment in hotels, restaurants, transport and entertainment.
However, tourism growth requires reliable infrastructure.
Airports, roads, electricity, water and digital connectivity all influence visitors' experiences.
MINING REMAINS CENTRAL
Mining remains the backbone of Zimbabwe's export economy.
Gold, platinum, lithium, diamonds and other minerals provide significant foreign exchange.
Zimbabwe has become particularly important in the African lithium sector because of growing global demand for battery minerals.
However, the government faces a major challenge: ensuring that increased mining activity generates sufficient public revenue.
Recent reporting in Zimbabwe has questioned why the country's mining boom has not translated into greater government income, with royalties contributing only a small proportion of expected state revenue.
THE LITHIUM OPPORTUNITY
Lithium has attracted substantial international interest because it is essential for many battery technologies.
Zimbabwe's deposits could become strategically important as global manufacturers seek secure supplies of critical minerals.
But exporting raw minerals provides less economic value than processing them domestically.
The government has therefore encouraged mineral beneficiation and local processing.
The long-term objective is to create industrial value chains around Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
INFORMAL ECONOMY
Another major challenge is the rapid growth of informal trading.
Municipal authorities in several cities are attempting to regulate street vending and move traders into designated areas.
Harare has recently prohibited certain forms of open-air activity in central commercial areas, while other municipalities have intensified enforcement against informal vendors.
Authorities argue that unregulated vending can obstruct roads, create sanitation problems and reduce formal business activity.
Traders, however, depend on informal markets for their livelihoods.
The challenge is therefore to regulate rather than simply eliminate the informal economy.
HEALTH CARE REFORM
Zimbabwe is also restructuring its healthcare administration.
The Ministry of Health has established a new Directorate of Medical Services intended to improve clinical operations, emergency care and specialist services.
Healthcare reform is important because Zimbabwe has historically faced shortages of medicines, equipment and healthcare workers.
Improving management and coordination could help strengthen the public healthcare system.
ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Zimbabwe continues to require major investment in electricity generation and transmission.
Hydropower, coal and renewable energy are all part of the country's energy strategy.
Solar power offers particularly strong potential because Zimbabwe receives high levels of sunlight.
Expanding solar generation could reduce pressure on the national grid and improve electricity reliability.
INVESTMENT
Zimbabwe is also seeking stronger investment relationships.
Recent cooperation between the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency and international partners has focused on investment promotion and trade.
The country wants to attract investment into tourism, mining, manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure.
For investors, however, policy consistency remains important.
Businesses require clear regulations, access to foreign currency and predictable taxation.
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture remains essential to Zimbabwe's economy.
The country has historically been a major agricultural producer in the region.
Tobacco remains an important export crop, while maize, wheat, horticulture and livestock support domestic food security.
Climate change and drought remain major threats.
Irrigation investment will therefore be essential if Zimbabwe wants to reduce dependence on rainfall.
THE VISION 2030 CHALLENGE
President Mnangagwa's government has repeatedly presented Vision 2030 as the framework for transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
The ambition is significant.
But achieving it requires more than mining and tourism.
Zimbabwe needs industrialisation, job creation, infrastructure investment, agricultural productivity, strong institutions and stable monetary conditions.
Zimbabwe has substantial economic assets.
It possesses mineral resources, agricultural land, tourism attractions, a skilled population and strategic access to southern African markets.
The challenge is converting these advantages into broad-based prosperity.
Tourism events such as Sanganai/Hlanganani can help attract international visitors and investors.
Mining can generate foreign exchange.
Agriculture can support food security.
Manufacturing can create jobs.
But all four sectors require reliable infrastructure and sound economic policy.
Zimbabwe's next development phase will therefore depend on whether the country can move from exporting raw resources toward creating greater value inside the national economy.
If that transformation succeeds, tourism, mining, agriculture and manufacturing could provide the foundation for stronger growth and employment.
The country's challenge is now to ensure that economic growth is translated into measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
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