Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers.
Surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west,
Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east.
This country is blessed with amazing fauna and flora, minerals and many other natural resources.
it is one of the world’s biggest producer of Gold, and the third biggest producers
of Platinum after Russia and South Africa. Zimbabwe is a low middle income economy country,
in the same group with the likes of Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria. the country managed to make
a comeback after being downgraded to low income country by the World Bank, in 2019. Natural
disaster, land reform and a decrease in production have plagued Zimbabwe economy since year 2000.
However, Zimbabwe showed a steady growth recently, expecting growth rate of 3.9 percent in 2021,
according to the World Bank reviews, a significant improvement after a two-year recession,
due to Covid nineteen among other reasons. Hello and welcome, if you have not subscribed yet,
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The Economy of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe's economy is now the
fastest growing economy in Sub Sahara Africa according to the World Bank.
The economy of Zimbabwe is expected to grow faster than its neighbors, rising from 3.9% in 2021,
to 5.1% by 2022, compared to average growth rate for Sub Saharan Africa which is 2.8% in 2021.
Gross domestic product is estimated to be 21 Billion, in 2020, slightly less than Zambia
and more than of Botswana. The GDP per Capita is currently standing at US$ 1,128.00, after 2
consecutive years of economy contraction. World Bank analysts estimates Zimbabwe unemployment
rate to be about 5%, not 95% of popular belief. Ongoing major projects to resolve power issues
The total power station infrastructure installed across Zimbabwe has a total output capacity
of approximately 1,940 Megawatts, just a small difference to 2,200 Megawatts of country demand.
However, due to decommissioning and lack of maintenance, the country is currently producing
845 Megawatts only, of its own electricity, then source the balance from neighboring countries.
In the past 3 years, Zimbabwe has experience worst power cuts.
In order to address this issue, the government has been working around the clock,
since 2018 to rehabilitate, upgrade and recommission these power stations,
across the country. Upon completion of these following ongoing projects, Zimbabwe will
have sufficient electricity for both national consumption and exporting to other countries.
Number 1 Expansion of Hwanje Thermal Power Station
Hwanje power station has been operational since 1983. In 1987, the plant was upgraded to 920
Megawatts, being the biggest power station in Zimbabwe. The expansion and rehabilitation of
Hwanje thermal power station began in March 2019, and it is scheduled for completion in 2022. Upon
completion, this $1.5 billion project is expected to supply additional 600 Megawatts, increasing the
plant’s capacity to 1,520 Megawatts, supplying Zimbabwe with 60% of it's national demand.
Number 2 Batoka Gorge hydro-power plant
Batoka Gorge hydroelectric project, it is planned to be developed on the Zambezi River by both
governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia, along the border of both countries. This power plant will
supply a total of 2,500 Megawatts of electric power. It's estimated cost is US$4billion.
Number 3 Deka Upgradation Project
It’s a spin off project to upgrade the old Deka water pipelines,
in order to supply Hwanje power station with supply of water. Valued at US$48 million.
Number 4 Bulawayo Repowering
Project Bulawayo Repowering Project it is a upgrading
and recommissioning of 90 Megawatts chain grate boilers, of the Bulawayo thermal power station.
Valued at US$100 million. Number 5
Munyati repowering project Construction of the Munyati repowering
project, expected to contribute 70 Megawatts of power to Zimbabwe. Valued at US$113 million.
Other ongoing projects New Parliament building
A monumental six storey new parliament, it is a state of art building,
in Mount Hampden, the new capital city, 25km west in the outskirt of the capital Harare.
The construction began in November 2018, and it is now nearing completion. This new parliament
will replace the current 100seat parliament building, in downtown Harare, which the
government considers too small for Zimbabwe’s 350 parliamentarians. Value $140 million.
Expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport
The US$153 million project will add a new international terminal building and aprons,
four new bridges, a secondary radar system, a VVIP pavilion,
and an airfield ground lighting and communication system among other things. Upon completion,
this airport will become a regional aviation hub, handling about 6 million passengers annually,
from the 2.5 million of current capacity. This project is expected to be completed by 2022.
Zimbabwe has also initiated multibillion dollars projects including housing projects, roads, water
and sanitation projects across the country to improve the state of life of people of Zimbabwe.
most of this projects are expected to be finished by year 2022.
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