By: David Shoombe
Key findings on the Zimbabwe Targeted Review Report presented by Ambassador Aly El-Hefny, highlighted the progress achieved in strengthening economic governance.
The strengthening was achieved via improved public financial management, improvement in anti-corruption and anti-money laundering frameworks, participatory governance, regional economic integration, and investment climate reforms.
He noted that these measures have contributed to greater fiscal transparency and accountability, increased stakeholder engagement, improved investor confidence, and a foundation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He also highlighted areas that need continued improvement, including off-budget expenditures, rising public debt, delayed financial reporting, institutional capacity limitations, weak public-sector integrity, and limited participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups in governance processes.
The 2025 African Peer Review Mechanism Targeted Review Report on Zimbabwe noted that the country has implemented key economic reforms aimed at promoting self-reliance and sustainable development through national and sectoral strategies across government ministries. These efforts are intended to support Zimbabwe’s goal of attaining upper-middle-income economy status by 2030.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed confidence in his country’s governance and its openness to continental scrutiny as a means of advancing economic development.
Speaking at the presentation of the 2025 African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Targeted Review Report, President Mnangagwa said that “Since Zimbabwe’s voluntary accession to the continental review mechanism in 2020, its collaboration with the APRM has demonstrated the country’s commitment to good governance, sustainable development, and the realisation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063”
Representing the African Union, Commissioner for Economic Development, Claudine Sigam, Acting Director General of the African Minerals Development Center, stated that Zimbabwe has significant mineral potential, particularly its strategic lithium resources.
Sigma stated that Zimbabwe shall prioritise governance and responsible management of its natural resources to advance industrialisation.
Zimbabwe’s economy has shown significant improvements in the last 3 years.
In the last quarter of 2025, Zimbabwe was estimated to be among the high-growth countries in Africa by the IMF, which estimated growth of 6%.
A recent moratorium on exportation of raw materials to critical minerals such as lithium has seen Zimbabwe improve its export earnings and accelerate its diversification strategy.
Zimbabwe trade statistics show that Zimbabwe’s exports shot up 42% to $4.5 billion against US$3.1 billion in the first 5 months compared to the same period last year.
