The International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic reforms but confirmed it remains unable to lend due to $12.2 billion in external arrears. IMF Africa Director Abebe Aemro Selassie said discussions are advancing toward a staff-monitored program to support fiscal stability and policy discipline. He highlighted reduced central bank financing as vital for controlling inflation. Zimbabwe’s finance ministry reported “fruitful deliberations” with the IMF and expects an IMF mission in Harare later this month.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) projected foreign currency reserves to surpass US$1 billion by the end of 2025, strengthening confidence in the ZiG as the nation’s main currency. Acting Governor Dr. Jesimen Chipika said reserves rose from US$276 million in April 2024 to over US$900 million by September 2025. She noted the reserve base now covers ZiG money four times, supporting exchange stability, inflation reduction, and the gradual shift to a mono-currency system.

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) announced its new lithium sulfate plant is 75% complete and will begin production in early 2026. The facility will produce 60,000 tonnes annually, doubling the company’s revenue. Mines Minister Winston Chitando said the project advances Zimbabwe’s value-addition policy and supports the ban on raw lithium exports. The Government plans to prohibit lithium concentrate exports by 2027 to promote local processing and industrialization.