Zimbabwe’s Treasury Permanent Secretary, George Guvamatanga, has projected that the national economy could grow by at least 8.5 percent in 2026.
Speaking during an engagement with global investors and industry leaders, at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday, Guvamatanga said Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory remained firmly positive, underpinned by strong sectoral performance and policy reforms aimed at stabilising growth.
“We are looking at growth of no less than 8.5 percent in 2026. This projection is anchored on robust activity in key sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture and mining, which continue to demonstrate resilience and expansion potential,” he said.
He noted that if achieved, the growth rate would significantly surpass last year’s estimated 6.6 percent expansion and exceed the Government’s earlier forecast of 5 percent for 2026.
“Our economy has shown that it is capable of outperforming expectations. The 6.6 percent growth recorded previously is evidence of the underlying strength and recovery momentum.
We are now seeing increased productivity, improved investment flows and enhanced sectoral contributions,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary attributed the anticipated acceleration to improved agricultural output and sustained growth in mining, which remains one of Zimbabwe’s major economic pillars.
“Agriculture continues to benefit from targeted support programmes, while mining is experiencing renewed investor confidence.
“These sectors are not only driving growth but are also contributing meaningfully to employment, exports and overall economic stability,” Guvamatanga noted
The Treasury Permanent Secretary also emphasised the Government’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic discipline and creating a predictable investment climate.
“We are focused on policy consistency, fiscal prudence and structural reforms. Our objective is to ensure that growth is not only strong but also sustainable and inclusive,” he said.
However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has offered a more cautious outlook. While acknowledging that Zimbabwe’s economic growth in 2025 “surpassed the initial projection of 6.6 percent,” the IMF forecasts a more moderate 4.6 percent growth rate for 2026.
Responding to the differing projections, Guvamatanga said Zimbabwe’s authorities remained confident in their economic strategy.
“Forecasts will naturally differ depending on assumptions and methodologies. From our standpoint, we are seeing tangible improvements across sectors, stronger fundamentals and expanding economic activity, which give us confidence in our growth outlook,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe’s focus was on consolidating gains and accelerating development.
“Our priority is to sustain momentum, deepen reforms and unlock value across productive sectors. We believe Zimbabwe is well-positioned for higher growth,” Guvamatanga highlighted.
Zimbabwe’s economy has experienced fluctuating growth patterns in recent years, influenced by global commodity trends, climate variability and macroeconomic adjustments. Agriculture and mining remain critical drivers of economic performance, while government policy continues to emphasise stabilisation, investment attraction and structural transformation.
