Policy certainty a welcome move 

Yesterday, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga delivered a message that Zimbabwe’s markets, businesses and investors have long waited to hear saying policy certainty is now the centrepiece of the Government’s economic strategy.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Chiwenga outlined a firmer policy stance anchored on predictability, fiscal discipline and investor protection, principles that sit at the heart of any functioning, investment-driven economy. It was a clear attempt to reset the narrative around Zimbabwe’s economic trajectory and rebuild confidence after years of volatility.

The message was right. The timing was critical. But the burden now shifts from rhetoric to resolve.

Investors do not demand perfection, they demand consistency. They can navigate inflation, currency shifts and global shocks. What they cannot navigate is a policy environment that changes direction without warning.

For too long, Zimbabwe’s economic story has been defined by policy inconsistency. Strong policy pronouncements have often been undermined by abrupt reversals, weak enforcement or fragmented implementation across institutions. This has not only deterred foreign capital but has also constrained domestic investment, as local players adopt a defensive posture in uncertain conditions.

Chiwenga’s emphasis on the policy consistency, transparent regulation and ease of doing business reforms signals a recognition of these historical shortcomings. It suggests that Government understands that rebuilding trust is not about grand announcements, but about credible, predictable behaviour over time.

There are, to be fair, early signs of progress. Inflation has moderated, fiscal discipline has improved and reform efforts are beginning to stabilise key economic fundamentals. These gains provide a platform for recovery.

But they are not, in themselves, sufficient to unlock the scale of capital Zimbabwe requires.

Government’s plan to streamline licensing systems, digitise public services and expand special economic zones is strategically sound. These reforms have the potential to lower the cost of doing business and improve competitiveness. However, their success will hinge on execution on whether institutions move with urgency, coordination and discipline.

Equally important is the renewed focus on domestic capital. Chiwenga’s call for the private sector to take a leading role in infrastructure development is both pragmatic and necessary. In a constrained global financing environment, local capital must become a central pillar of national development.

But this call must be underwritten by trust. Domestic investors will only deploy capital at scale if they are confident that policy will remain stable, contracts will be honoured and returns will not be eroded by sudden regulatory shifts.

The proposed rehabilitation of key rail corridors and the ambition to position Zimbabwe as a regional logistics hub are economically compelling. Infrastructure, after all, is a catalyst for growth across sectors.

Yet such long-term investments demand something Zimbabwe has historically struggled to provide, policy consistency over time.