Zimbabwe has a chance to clear its long-standing arrears and restructure its $21 billion debt—an issue that has left it excluded from international capital markets for over 25 years—if it undertakes key fiscal reforms, according to the World Bank.
In a report on Zimbabwe’s public finances released Wednesday, the global lender emphasized the need for comprehensive fiscal adjustments to stabilize the economy. “By implementing bold fiscal reforms, Zimbabwe can break free from its prolonged economic instability, laying the groundwork for a credible national budget that is efficient, resilient to fiscal shocks, and fosters a stable, competitive currency,” the report stated. Successfully achieving this, the World Bank noted, could unlock opportunities for debt resolution and arrears clearance, making the country eligible for concessional multilateral funding to support both public and private sector investments.
Additionally, these reforms could place Zimbabwe on a path of sustained economic growth and macroeconomic stability, the Washington-based institution said.
Zimbabwe defaulted on payments to key lenders—including the World Bank, the Paris Club, and the African Development Bank—in 1999. However, in recent years, the country has intensified efforts to resolve its debt crisis. Initiatives include enlisting the support of AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina and former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano to facilitate negotiations, engaging the Paris-based Global Sovereign Advisory for guidance, and compensating farmers and nations affected by its land reforms of the early 2000s.
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Among the recommended changes, the World Bank highlighted the need to eliminate distortions in monetary and exchange rate policies to achieve low and stable inflation. It also advised reducing government expenditure by trimming the public-sector wage bill, particularly through eliminating redundant roles. Additionally, the report suggested removing tax exemptions on value-added tax (VAT) to boost revenue collection.
In April last year, Zimbabwe introduced the ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) as a step toward replacing the US dollar in domestic transactions. However, previous attempts to establish a viable local currency have failed, often triggering runaway inflation. To stabilize the ZiG, the central bank has taken measures such as controlling the money supply and compelling businesses to price goods in local currency, although informal traders continue to sell at higher unofficial exchange rates.
The World Bank further urged Zimbabwe to address the growing informal economy by reducing macroeconomic constraints, simplifying business compliance requirements, and ensuring a fair tax structure for formal transactions.
