Mishma Chakanyuka, Staff Writer 
THE government has expressed confidence in achieving a six percent economic growth rate this year, attributing the optimism to a rebound in agriculture and ongoing capital investments in the manufacturing sector.
Speaking to The Financial Gazette, the Finance minister, Mthuli Ncube, emphasised that favourable weather patterns are key to reaching the target.
“If the current weather trajectory continues, we should be able to achieve, or at least come close to achieving, the six percent growth target for this year,” said Ncube.
“This is a recovery year following the drought in 2024, when growth was just two percent. We expect recovery to drive a growth rate close to six percent. So, we are very optimistic about economic recovery and transformational progress.”
Zimbabwe’s economy has struggled with recurring challenges, including droughts, floods, and power shortages.
The delayed onset of the rains this farming season has cast doubt on the forecasted 12,5 percent agricultural growth for 2025, a key factor underpinning the government’s growth projections.
Should weather conditions remain unfavourable, the government may need to revise its targets.
The World Bank’s latest World Economic Outlook report aligns with the government’s optimism, projecting 6,2 percent growth for Zimbabwe in 2025.
This is a notable increase from its June forecast last year, which estimated growth of 3,3 percent for 2024 and 3,6 percent for 2025. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank predicts an average growth rate of 4,2 percent between 2025 and 2026, supported by improved commodity prices.
However, the World Bank also highlighted risks to commodity exporters like Zimbabwe, particularly due to slower economic growth in China.
“Weaker-than-expected growth in China could adversely impact demand for minerals and metals,” the report noted.
“Lower prices for these key commodities would significantly affect several low-income Sub-Saharan African countries.”
The report further cautioned that reduced Chinese growth could limit investment flows into the region.
Meanwhile, FBC Securities, the equities and research firm, suggested that Zimbabwe’s growth could also be bolstered by robust performance in the mining, construction, and tourism sectors.
However, FBC warned that stability in the monetary sector remains critical to achieving the projected growth.
“Since the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, the monetary sector has been generally stable. Expectations are moderately high that this stability will persist during the first half of 2025,” FBC said.
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