Online Reporter
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE’S mining- and agriculture-driven economy has continued to gain continental recognition, with the country now ranked among Africa’s emerging economic powerhouses.
This follows years of sweeping reforms introduced under the Second Republic.
According to the latest 2026 Best Countries ranking published by Business Insider Africa, Zimbabwe is among the top-performing countries on the continent, buoyed by its vast mineral wealth, expanding agricultural output and improving economic fundamentals.
The report noted that “resource-rich countries such as Algeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Nigeria are bolstered by exports of oil, gas, minerals and agricultural products,” placing Zimbabwe among nations driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The latest development has been touted as a result of the impact of President Mnangagwa’s aggressive economic policies, which have prioritised mining expansion, agricultural recovery, infrastructure development, and fiscal discipline since 2017.
Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has recorded significant growth in gold, lithium, platinum and tobacco production while also witnessing increased wheat and maize output under Government-backed agricultural programmes.
President Mnangagwa recently reaffirmed that mining and agriculture remain the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economic resurgence.
“Our economy continues to be driven by strong performance in mining and agriculture, sectors which remain critical pillars towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” President Mnangagwa said, while addressing stakeholders on the state of the economy.
The country’s mining sector has particularly emerged as a key economic driver.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe reported strong mineral export performance driven by gold, lithium and platinum shipments amid rising global demand for strategic minerals.
MMCZ indicated that mineral exports continued to generate critical foreign currency inflows while strengthening Zimbabwe’s position as one of Africa’s leading mining jurisdictions.
Agriculture has also remained central to the economic turnaround, with Government-supported irrigation projects, mechanisation programmes and climate-proofed farming systems boosting national food security and exports.
The ranking evaluated countries on governance, economic performance, infrastructure, opportunity, natural environment and overall quality of life, with Zimbabwe increasingly gaining prominence due to its resource base and resilient economic reforms.
