Online Reporter
Harmony Agere
Zimbabwe’s economy recorded 6,8 percent growth during the first quarter of 2026, putting the country on course for another year of strong economic performance after registering 8,3 percent growth in 2025.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Term Budget Review and Budget Statement at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden on Thursday afternoon, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube said the first-quarter performance indicates that the economy could outperform the initial annual growth projection of 5 percent.
“The economy performed impressively at 6,8 percent during the first quarter of 2026,” he said.
“This is much higher compared to about 4 percent during the same period in 2025.
“If we continue on this trajectory, it is possible to meet or surpass the 8,3 percent recorded in 2025 for the full year of 2026.”
The strong first-quarter performance signals sustained economic momentum, with growth already exceeding the pace recorded during the corresponding period last year.
Government had initially projected the economy to grow by 5 percent in 2026, but the latest figures presented in the Mid-Term Budget Review suggest the country is on track to exceed that target if the current growth trend is maintained.
