Zimbabwean minister proposes 24-hour economy

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has urged Zimbabwe to embrace a 24-hour economy, arguing that round-the-clock operations could unlock productivity by making better use of electricity available during off-peak hours.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) in Bulawayo, Ncube said the country's traditional eight-hour working culture was limiting economic growth.

"But also, I think we have an eight-hour economy, don't we? By 4.30pm, we are all going home," he remarked. "We arrive at the office at 8am, take a two-hour lunch break. By 4.30pm, we are going home."

The Minister highlighted that large amounts of electricity go unused at night when households are asleep, presenting an opportunity for businesses to expand production and services.

"We need a 24-hour economy. Overnight, there is more electricity because the households are sleeping, so it's actually more electricity," he said.

Ncube urged policymakers and industry players to draw lessons from other nations that have successfully adopted round-the-clock economies.

"So again, we need to be certain to have a 24-hour economy. Other countries that are doing this, why not us?" he said.

The proposal comes as government continues to push for structural reforms and investment-driven growth to strengthen the economy and attract new capital inflows.