Columnist / Victor bhoroma
Fully utilizing ZIDA to promote economic growth
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Bill was gazetted on the 5th of April 2019. The purpose of the bill is to establish a single focal point that facilitates entry and implementation...Published: 09 Aug 2019 at 21:46hrs | 478 | by Victor Bhoroma
Policy inconsistency hurting economy
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) reintroduced the Zimbabwean Dollar and outlawed the use of multicurrencies on the local market on the 24th of June 2019, despite widespread concerns on burning the m...Published: 05 Aug 2019 at 09:12hrs | 1994 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe economy needs free-market policies to grow
The introduction of the foreign exchange interbank market by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) in February 2019 was a major milestone towards free market economics. Even though there are fears of gov...Published: 28 Jul 2019 at 17:59hrs | 532 | by Victor Bhoroma
The reality of stagflation in Zimbabwe
The current fiscal year is turning out to be a challenging year for the Zimbabwean economy. The country is experiencing all the features of economic decline from a recession, high unemployment rate, d...Published: 20 Jul 2019 at 19:31hrs | 2447 | by Victor Bhoroma
Lessons from Singapore on economic development
Singapore is a tiny island-city state in Southeast Asia with a total area of 718km2 (543 times smaller than Zimbabwe) and part of the four Asian Tigers (Others include Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Kore...Published: 15 Jul 2019 at 09:56hrs | 1321 | by Victor Bhoroma
Revisiting the Beitbridge-Harare highway
The state of the Beitbridge-Harare (A4) Highway is now a cause for concern as the number of human fatalities grows by each day due to deadly accidents in the narrow strip that links Zimbabwe and South...Published: 06 Jul 2019 at 08:06hrs | 2145 | by Victor Bhoroma
Recession, Zim Dollar return and Economic Outlook
As the country enters the last half of the year and warms up to the re-introduction of the Zimbabwean Dollar, it is now evident that the economy is swiftly sliding into a recession. In 2018, the econo...Published: 01 Jul 2019 at 12:20hrs | 5250 | by Victor Bhoroma
Smuggling: the new corruption frontier in Zimbabwe
As the Zimbabwean economy rapidly slides into hyperinflation induced recession, the levels of smuggling at the country's border posts has reached alarming levels. Cross border traders, foreign nationa...Published: 24 Jun 2019 at 20:27hrs | 3723 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe's currency reforms dilemma
The Zimbabwean government has indicated that the country will be launching a new currency before the end of 2019. The announcement has caused some confusion amongst businesses and the transacting publ...Published: 17 Jun 2019 at 18:01hrs | 2218 | by Victor Bhoroma
A case for subsidies in the mining sector
Zimbabwe racked in US$3.2 billion from mineral exports in 2018, a figure which represents 76% of the country's official total export earnings. This year the government has set the target at US$4.2 bil...Published: 11 Jun 2019 at 09:35hrs | 753 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe now in de-facto dollarization
The persistent price volatility in the economy has left producers and retailers in Zimbabwe with very limited options apart from indexing their products in the US Dollar or pegging their RTGS prices u...Published: 02 Jun 2019 at 21:06hrs | 2593 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe now in defacto dollarisation
THE persistent price volatility in the economy has left producers and retailers in Zimbabwe with very limited options apart from indexing their products in the US dollar or pegging their Real-Time Gro...Published: 31 May 2019 at 08:08hrs | 2967 | by Victor Bhoroma
Achieving self-sufficiency in electricity generation in Zimbabwe
As Zimbabwe enters its third week of electricity blackouts under the national load shedding programme announced by the country's power utility, Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The experi...Published: 27 May 2019 at 12:21hrs | 991 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe should fully liberalize the petroleum industry
It has become apparent that the Zimbabwean government is failing to sustain its fuel subsidy in the economy due to foreign currency shortages. The rationale for such a subsidy has been to bring price ...Published: 18 May 2019 at 18:23hrs | 610 | by Victor Bhoroma
Import substitution: best remedy to high import bill
Zimbabwe imported goods worth $6.85 Billion in 2018, a 38% increase from 2017. That import figure can go up by 30% if smuggled merchandise and under declared imports at the country's border posts are ...Published: 12 May 2019 at 23:15hrs | 457 | by Victor Bhoroma
The nexus between confidence and economic growth
A change in the Zimbabwean government in November 2017 was somewhat a confidence booster in the economy as the new administration announced business oriented policies and went on an overdrive to re-en...Published: 29 Apr 2019 at 08:45hrs | 797 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can Zimbabwe manage to de-dollarize
The Zimbabwean government has indicated that a local currency will be introduced in the next 12 months in a move widely believed to be a precursor to joining the Common Monitory Area (CMA), also refer...Published: 23 Apr 2019 at 15:18hrs | 6224 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can Zimbabwe manage to de-dollarise?
THE Zimbabwean government has indicated that a local currency will be introduced in the next 12 months in a move widely believed to be a precursor to joining the Common Monetary Area (CMA), also refer...Published: 19 Apr 2019 at 11:08hrs | 781 | by Victor Bhoroma
Massive retrenchments loom as Zimbabwe economy slows down
HUNDREDS of formal jobs are on the line in the economy as various businesses grapple with the realities of hyperinflation and exchange rate-induced losses. The market has witnessed massive price hikes...Published: 12 Apr 2019 at 09:14hrs | 4308 | by Victor Bhoroma
Export incentives - Good Call on managing the trade deficit
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) introduced the Export Incentive Policy in September 2016 at 5% of Gross Export Receipts in order to improve production of minerals and tobacco. The policy was widene...Published: 01 Apr 2019 at 09:28hrs | 837 | by Victor Bhoroma
Removal of the Indigenization policy: Good Riddance
The announcement by the Zimbabwean government that it will scrap the Indigenization and Empowerment policy for all investments into the country comes as a welcome development for domestic and foreign ...Published: 25 Mar 2019 at 13:04hrs | 2931 | by Victor Bhoroma
Revisiting the ZUPCO urban transportation model
The re-introduction of ZUPCO buses to ply urban routes in the aftermath of January fuel protests was a welcome move for most urban commuters. This is largely because commuter omnibus operators had tak...Published: 19 Mar 2019 at 13:58hrs | 3552 | by Victor Bhoroma
Billions missed through raw tobacco exports
Zimbabwe prepares for the opening of the 2019 Tobacco Marketing season set to start on the 21st of March, the local market is hyped up in anticipation. In 2018, Zimbabwe produced an all-time high of 2...Published: 10 Mar 2019 at 07:10hrs | 749 | by Victor Bhoroma
Exploring joint ventures for Special Economic Zones
The Zimbabwean government has designated various tracts of land as Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in a noble production oriented policy which requires follow through. The Special Economic Zones Act (Cha...Published: 04 Mar 2019 at 10:15hrs | 908 | by Victor Bhoroma
Key constraints to economic growth in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a naturally endowed country with unimaginable potential across various economic sectors from mining, tourism, agriculture and manufacturing among others. The country has a highly diversifi...Published: 04 Mar 2019 at 10:11hrs | 1652 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can the interbank FX market end the black market?
The recent monitory policy statement announcement by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) paved way for the re-introduction of the Interbank Foreign Exchange market as recommended by industry captains w...Published: 04 Mar 2019 at 10:09hrs | 2384 | by Victor Bhoroma
Pre-monitory policy statement expectations
Expectations are high as the market awaits the presentation of the first monitory policy statement (MPS) of 2019 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in the coming days. The bank knows the weight of hyperi...Published: 17 Feb 2019 at 22:58hrs | 1059 | by Victor Bhoroma
Redefining the role of government in an economy
The Zimbabwean economy has over the years been largely dominated by the government as the law maker, the regulator, business owner (competitor/supplier), consumer, financier and tax collector at the s...Published: 17 Feb 2019 at 22:55hrs | 290 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can Air Zimbabwe be run profitably?
Air Zimbabwe was placed under reconstruction on 4 October 2018 after operating for over 51 years in the skies. The airline has debts of over $350 million that are weighing down any restructuring exerc...Published: 17 Feb 2019 at 22:54hrs | 496 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can Air Zimbabwe be run profitably?
AIR Zimbabwe was placed under reconstruction on October 4 2018 after operating for over 51 years in the skies.The airline has debts exceeding US$350 million that are weighing down the restruct...Published: 15 Feb 2019 at 08:25hrs | 293 | by Victor Bhoroma
Redefining the role of government in an economy
The Zimbabwean economy has over the years been largely dominated by the government as the law maker, the regulator, business owner (competitor/supplier), consumer, financier and tax collector at the s...Published: 02 Feb 2019 at 13:29hrs | 231 | by Victor Bhoroma
A black diamond curse for Mutoko
The paradox of resource abundance typically explains the case of black granite mining in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe. The area is home to the best black granite rock highly demanded ...Published: 01 Feb 2019 at 14:32hrs | 3979 | by Victor Bhoroma
Redefining the role of government in an economy
The Zimbabwean economy has over the years been largely dominated by the government as the law maker, the regulator, business owner (competitor/supplier), consumer, financier and tax collector at the s...Published: 01 Feb 2019 at 14:28hrs | 150 | by Victor Bhoroma
The death of Zimbabwean economic giants
The market landscape of any country is shaped by a few companies that underpin socio-economic activities of that particular nation. These companies are mirrored on the competitive advantages that the ...Published: 01 Feb 2019 at 14:16hrs | 898 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can currency reforms save the Zimbabwean economy?
There is no doubt that the unresolved currency issue lies at the heart of Zimbabwe's economic meltdown in the past 3 years and the price distortions in the local market. The origins of the currency cr...Published: 28 Jan 2019 at 16:46hrs | 1568 | by Victor Bhoroma
Enter the dragon: The rise of China
The most remarkable economic turnaround story of the 21st century undoubtedly belongs to the People's Republic of China. As the country marks the 40th anniversary of economic reforms and opening, the ...Published: 28 Jan 2019 at 16:43hrs | 3860 | by Victor Bhoroma
Can currency reforms save the Zimbabwean economy?
There is no doubt that the unresolved currency issue lies at the heart of Zimbabwe’s economic meltdown in the past 3 years and the price distortions in the local market. The origins of the currency ...Published: 21 Jan 2019 at 14:11hrs | 3541 | by Victor Bhoroma
Enter the dragon: The rise of China
The most remarkable economic turnaround story of the 21st century undoubtedly belongs to the People's Republic of China. As the country marks the 40th anniversary of economic reforms and opening, the ...Published: 21 Jan 2019 at 14:10hrs | 2474 | by Victor Bhoroma
Why cutting government exposure is a mammoth task
Zimbabwe's budget deficit averages $2.3 billion for the past 3 years. Government expenditure is pegged at $8.2 billion and the budget deficit forecast is $1.6 billion for 2019. For the past three year...Published: 24 Dec 2018 at 16:58hrs | 518 | by Victor Bhoroma
Economic meltdown pushing many into poverty
As the festive mood grips the nation, there is a feeling among most Zimbabweans that the 2018 Christmas will be dull. Economic woes headlined by cash shortages, fuel shortages, multi-tier pricing and ...Published: 24 Dec 2018 at 16:52hrs | 955 | by Victor Bhoroma
Supply side intervention key for Zimbabwean Industries
The local industry has been operating below par in the last 20 years. Various policies by the government have failed to reindustrialize the economy with the sector's contribution to GDP falling below ...Published: 01 Dec 2018 at 10:22hrs | 727 | by Victor Bhoroma
Key economic expectations from the 2019 budget presentation
As the finance minister prepares to present the 2019 National Budget to parliament on the 22nd of November, a lot is at stake for economic development. In 2016, Zimbabwe's tax revenues were $3.5 billi...Published: 22 Nov 2018 at 11:25hrs | 1235 | by Victor Bhoroma
Chinese deals, raw or fair for the Zimbabwean economy?
Given the recent developments in Zimbabwe and the African continent, it is worthy assessing how Chinese investments can affect the local economy going forward. Critical for Zimbabwe is how the country...Published: 17 Oct 2018 at 21:41hrs | 1965 | by Victor Bhoroma
Product dumping killing Zimbabwe industry
As local manufacturers struggle to raise foreign currency to import raw materials and equipment on one end, another uncontrolled delinquent flourishes on the other to their detriment. Cheap imports ha...Published: 07 Aug 2018 at 07:31hrs | 262 | by Victor Bhoroma
Is multi-tier pricing the problem or symptom?
As Zimbabwe's central bank tries to calm the problem it caused in the market through the introduction of bond notes in November 2016, questions have been raised on whether the multi-tier pricing syste...Published: 26 Jun 2018 at 07:17hrs | 413 | by Victor Bhoroma
SMEs transition key in uplifting the Zimbabwean Economy
The transition of SMEs to big business or corporates is pivotal in any economy in the world. It is actually the relative measure of how well an economy is performing as SMEs are the seed-bed of busine...Published: 18 May 2018 at 17:51hrs | 7722 | by Victor Bhoroma
Made in Zimbabwe
The advent of globalization has demonstrated that each country has expertise in a certain trade and there are commodities that resonate with certain nations more than others. It is often argued that t...Published: 18 May 2018 at 17:48hrs | 2502 | by Victor Bhoroma
How Zimbabwe can benefit from the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA)
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was launched on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The trade agreement was signed by 44 heads of state and government, save for 10 countrie...Published: 18 May 2018 at 17:42hrs | 614 | by Victor Bhoroma
Zimbabwe losing the product counterfeit war
The unchecked growth of counterfeit (fake) products dumped in the Zimbabwean market has reached alarming levels. Although the country's official import bill shows that imports into the country have sl...Published: 18 May 2018 at 17:38hrs | 903 | by Victor Bhoroma
Taming government expenditure
Zimbabwe's finance ministry made a bold budget presentation of $5,071 billion in anticipated revenues against a planned expenditure bill of $5,743 billion. The budget deficit is expected to ease to $6...Published: 18 May 2018 at 17:34hrs | 504 | by Victor Bhoroma
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