By Dickson Bandera and Bradley Mhungu
Imagine a Zimbabwe where factories hum day and night, where farms export finished products instead of raw materials, where highways and railways connect production hubs to regional markets, and where Zimbabwean skills, qualifications and innovations command respect across borders.
Picture cities sustained by reliable infrastructure, children learning with digital tools from an early age, and universities producing graduates who build industries rather than wait for employment. This is the image of an upper middle-income Zimbabwe—confident, productive and self-assured.
For the past years, the term upper middle income economy has become common in Zimbabwe, having been popularized under the administration of president Mnangagwa
That image is no longer theoretical. Across agriculture, education, tourism and economic governance, measurable milestones are beginning to take shape, signalling a country moving steadily from recovery to consolidation.
Agriculture has been one of the clearest indicators of this momentum. Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector, long a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and export earnings, has broken historical records. By 2025, national tobacco output surpassed 350 million kilograms, generating more than one billion United States dollars in earnings and directly benefiting over 100 000 farmers.
This performance did not happen by accident. It reflects improved farmer support systems, contract farming arrangements, expanded irrigation, and stronger market coordination. For rural communities, it has translated into incomes, household stability and renewed economic activity.
Equally transformative has been the turnaround in wheat production. Once a net importer, Zimbabwe has recorded successive bumper wheat harvests, with output exceeding 630 000 tonnes in 2025—the highest in the country’s history.
This achievement has significantly reduced dependence on imports, strengthened food security and conserved foreign currency. It also demonstrates the power of targeted planning, policy consistency and farmer discipline in reversing structural weaknesses.
These domestic gains have begun to reflect in international economic outlooks. In its 2 December 2025 economic update, the World Bank projected Zimbabwe’s growth at around 6.6 percent for 2025, a sharp improvement from the subdued growth recorded in the previous year.
The report attributed this resilience largely to strong agricultural performance, improved services activity and infrastructure investment, while also projecting medium-term growth stabilising around five percent. While challenges remain, the assessment marked a shift from fragility to cautious optimism and underscored the country’s recovery capacity.
Tourism has also emerged as a powerful signal of renewal. Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, anchored by Victoria Falls, wildlife reserves and cultural sites, has attracted renewed global attention. International travel platforms and publications, including Forbes, have ranked Zimbabwe among the world’s most attractive destinations, reinforcing its reputation as a high-value tourism market. This recognition has direct economic consequences: rising visitor numbers, increased tourism receipts, job creation in hospitality and transport, and expanded opportunities for communities surrounding tourist hubs.
Underpinning these sectoral gains has been a gradual stabilisation of government systems and administrative procedures. Greater policy predictability, digitalisation of public services and efforts to streamline regulatory processes have improved the business environment. While reform is ongoing, the direction has been towards clarity and consistency—conditions essential for enterprise growth and long-term investment planning. Zimbabwe’s improving performance on ease-of-doing-business indicators reflects this shift, even as further reforms remain necessary.
Perhaps the most strategic investment, however, has been in human capital. Across the country, universities and tertiary institutions have continued to expand, both in number and in programme diversity. New disciplines in science, technology, engineering, agriculture and entrepreneurship are being introduced to align education with productive sectors of the economy. This expansion is reshaping the skills base required for industrialisation and innovation.
At primary and secondary level, the ongoing computerisation of schools marks a decisive move towards digital inclusion. By introducing ICT tools early, Zimbabwe is preparing a generation capable of operating in a technology-driven economy. Education, in this sense, is no longer just a social service; it is a central economic investment.
These milestones collectively point to a development philosophy rooted in inclusion. The principle of leaving no one behind remains central. Agricultural success must uplift smallholder farmers, not only commercial producers. Tourism growth must translate into community livelihoods. Education expansion must reach rural and marginalised learners. Development is meaningful only when it improves the quality of everyday life across society.
At the heart of this journey lies a deeply held national conviction: nyika inovakwa nevene vayo. A country is built by its own people. Records can be broken, projections can improve and institutions can reform, but sustainable development depends on citizen ownership—on productivity, discipline, innovation and collective responsibility.
When Zimbabwe eventually attains full upper middle-income status, the evidence will not be confined to reports or rankings. It will be visible in secure food systems, skilled graduates, modern schools, thriving enterprises and dignified livelihoods. The milestones already achieved suggest that the destination is attainable.
And when that moment arrives, the reward must belong, first and foremost, to Zimbabweans. Not because progress was promised, but because it was earned.
