FINANCE MINISTER NCUBE OPEN TO CUTTING IMTT AND SUGAR TAX. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube has welcomed proposals to reduce IMTT and sugar tax, subject to assessment of revenue implications before recommendations go to Parliament. He also highlighted improved revenue collection, macroeconomic stability and faster implementation of policies to ease doing business.

ZIMBABWE'S DIESEL CONSUMPTION SURGES 14.4% - SIGN OF GROWING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. Zimbabwe consumed 1.22 billion litres of diesel in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.4% from 1.07 billion litres in the same period in 2025, according to ZERA data. Diesel consumption reached a record 165.9 million litres in April 2026, the highest monthly figure since records began in 2009. The rising fuel demand is an encouraging indicator of increased economic activity, consistent with growth in mining, agriculture, transport and other productive sectors.

You can run but you can’t hide. You will pay for your driving mischief

MUTAPA GOLD RESOURCES’ PROFIT SURGES 200% TO US$156 MILLION. January–September 2026 Performance: -Profit after tax: US$156 million, up 200% from US$52 million. -Gold production: 89,639 ounces, up 16%. -Q3 revenue: US$127 million, up 39%. -Q3 EBITDA: US$67 million, up 58%. -Gold price realised: US$4,211/oz, up 22%. -2026 production forecast: Above 110,000 ounces. Expansion Projects: -Shamva Hill: US$240 million investment, targeting 80,000 ounces annually by 2028. -Jena Mines: Expansion targeting 40,000 ounces annually. Mutapa Gold Resources is a Zimbabwean state-owned mining group.

SCOTT SAKUPWANYA’S BETTERBRANDS GOLD DELIVERS 78.8 TONNES OF GOLD BETWEEN 2021 AND OCTOBER 2025. Betterbrands Gold, chaired by Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, has emerged as a major supplier to Fidelity Gold Refinery. Reported gold deliveries: ✳️2021: 14 tonnes ✳️2022: 18 tonnes ✳️2023: 13 tonnes ✳️2024: 15 tonnes ✳️Jan–Oct 2025: 18.8 tonnes, valued above US$1.9 billion Total: 78.8 tonnes (2021–Oct 2025). The company supports small-scale miners through equipment, fuel and mining inputs. Its new Bulawayo gold refinery is reportedly complete, awaiting official opening. Credit; @Mining_Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE ECONOMY TO REACH US$69.1 BILLION IN 2027 - MTHULI NCUBE. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube presented the following economic projections at the 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo today: 🔹GDP: US$66.4bn (2026) → US$69.1bn (2027) 🔹Economic growth: 8.3% (2025), 5% (2026), 3.5% (2027) 🔹Exports: US$14.9bn (2026) → US$15.7bn (2027) 🔹Diaspora remittances: US$3.2bn (2026) → US$3.4bn (2027) 🔹Current account surplus: US$3.9bn projected for 2026 🔹Gold and forex reserves: US$2.2bn projected 🔹Manufacturing investment: US$3.56bn 🔹2026 Government revenue: US$9.4bn projected 2026 Government expenditure: US$9.5bn projected 🔹2027 budget deficit target: Below 3% of GDP Government anticipates slower growth in 2027 due to Super El Niño drought risks, while prioritising infrastructure, agriculture, industrialisation and macroeconomic stability. Source: Ministry of Finance, 28 October 2026.

ZIMBABWE'S GDP PROJECTED TO REACH US$69.1 BILLION IN 2027. Zimbabwe's nominal GDP is projected to increase from US$66.4 billion in 2026 to US$69.1 billion in 2027, according to Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube. Source: 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, 28 October 2026.

ZIMBABWE'S ECONOMIC GROWTH PROJECTED AT 5% IN 2026, 3.5% IN 2027. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube outlined Zimbabwe's economic growth figures: ✅2025: 8.3% ✅2026: 5.0% (projected) ✅2027: 3.5% (projected) The anticipated slowdown in 2027 reflects climate risks associated with a potential Super El Niño and global economic uncertainties. Source: 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, 28 October 2026.

ZIMBABWE'S EXPORTS PROJECTED TO REACH US$15.7 BILLION IN 2027. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube outlined Zimbabwe's export performance and projections: 🟢2025: US$11.0 billion 🟢2026: US$14.9 billion (projected) 🟢2027: US$15.7 billion (projected) Exports increased by 60.7% to US$9 billion during January–August 2026, driven by gold, tobacco, platinum group metals, lithium and steel. Source: 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, 28 October 2026.

ZIMBABWE'S DIASPORA REMITTANCES PROJECTED TO REACH US$3.4 BILLION IN 2027. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube announced the following figures: ✳️2025: US$2.6 billion (approximately, implied by H1 growth) ✳️2026: US$3.2 billion (projected) ✳️2027: US$3.4 billion (projected) Diaspora remittances exceeded US$1.55 billion during January–June 2026, representing a 41.4% increase over the corresponding period in 2025. Source: 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, 28 October 2026.

ZIMBABWE'S CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS PROJECTED TO REACH US$3.9 BILLION IN 2026. Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube announced Zimbabwe's current account performance: 🔵2025: US$2.1 billion surplus 🔵2026: US$3.9 billion surplus (projected) 🔵Increase: US$1.8 billion (85.7%) 🔵During January–June 2026, Zimbabwe recorded a US$1.1 billion surplus, compared to US$248.2 million during the same period in 2025. The improvement was supported by strong exports, diaspora remittances and higher gold and platinum prices. Source: 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar, 28 October 2026.