Zimbabwe lowers growth forecast to 3.5 pct in 2027 amid drought fears

By Xinhua

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ZIMBABWE has slashed its growth forecast for 2027 to 3.5 percent from an initial 5 percent, citing the impact of an El Nino-induced drought expected in the 2026/2027 summer cropping season.

Addressing the 2027 pre-budget seminar in the country’s second-largest city of Bulawayo on Wednesday, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said growth is expected to moderate from a high of 8.3 percent in 2025 and 5 percent in 2026.

“In 2027, growth is expected to moderate further to 3.5 percent, reflecting the anticipated impact of climatic risks and a more challenging external environment,” he said.

The 3.5 percent projection is based on assumptions including entrenched macroeconomic stability, strong mineral export performance, continued implementation of ease-of-doing-business reforms and an easing of geopolitical tensions that is expected to support higher global economic growth, Ncube noted.

Despite the lower growth projection for next year, Zimbabwe remains focused on sustaining the foundations for long-term growth and ensuring economic progress yields tangible benefits for its people, Ncube added.

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