IMF team in Zimbabwe for Staff-Monitored Programme talks

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation is in Zimbabwe for key engagements with authorities under the Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP), as the country continues efforts to stabilise the economy and advance its international re-engagement agenda.

In a statement, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion confirmed the visit by the Fund's team, led by IMF Mission Chief for Zimbabwe Mr Wojciech Maliszewski.

"The IMF Mission Chief for Zimbabwe, Mr Wojciech Maliszewski, and his team are in the country for a one-week mission which started on January 28 and runs until February 4, 2026," the Ministry said.

"The mission is here to discuss the Staff-Monitored Programme (SMP), its macro-fiscal framework, policy commitments underpinning the programme, quantitative targets and structural benchmarks."

The Ministry said the engagements will be broad-based, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders to provide the IMF team with a comprehensive overview of Zimbabwe's economic situation.

"The Zimbabwean team, comprising Government, the private sector, development partners and civil society representatives, will update the mission on recent economic developments and the broader economic outlook," it said.

The SMP is aimed at strengthening macroeconomic stability and rebuilding Zimbabwe's international re-engagement momentum, at a time when authorities are implementing reforms focused on restoring confidence, fiscal discipline and policy credibility.

In recent years, Zimbabwe has stepped up re-engagement efforts with multilateral financial institutions, bilateral creditors and development partners through the Structured Dialogue Platform (SDP), which seeks to resolve the country's long-standing external debt challenges.

Although the SMP does not provide direct IMF financing, it is regarded as an important technical cooperation framework that helps countries build a track record of sound economic policies and reform implementation.

Successful implementation of the programme could pave the way for further negotiations that may unlock bridging finance for debt clearance and eventually restore access to affordable long-term international capital.

Zimbabwe remains unable to access multilateral funding due to persistent external debt arrears to institutions such as the African Development Bank, the IMF and the World Bank, making reform initiatives such as the SMP central to the country's arrears clearance and re-engagement strategy.