Zimbabwe economy reaches US$66 billion milestone amid stability

Zimbabwe is experiencing significant economic shifts, with its nominal GDP reaching a milestone of over US$66 billion. This growth places the nation among Africa’s largest economies, according to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. Recent data shows that fiscal and monetary discipline helped bring local currency inflation into single digits in early 2026, supporting real GDP growth that averaged nearly 6% between 2021 and 2025.

A new World Bank report highlights that while stability has improved, the country must implement structural reforms to translate growth into formal employment. Currently, 80% of the population works in the informal sector. The report suggests that accelerating reforms could create up to 230,000 new jobs by 2040 and significantly raise real GDP.

However, the World Bank has cautioned against a rapid de-dollarization process. It advised against rushing the transition from the US dollar to the gold-backed ZiG currency by the 2030 target, warning that premature shifts could trigger capital flight. Additionally, as the government seeks to attract mining investment, addressing infrastructure bottlenecks in power and transport remains a critical priority for sustained development.