馃嚳馃嚰ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Zimbabwe ranks among Africa's top performers in budget transparency
via NewsDay Zimbabwe5 min read
Zimbabwe has achieved a strong performance in the 2025 Open Budget Survey OBS, ranking third in Sub-Saharan Africa and second in the Southern African Development Community SADC. The survey, conducted by the International Budget Partnership, evaluates countries on budget transparency, public participation, and oversight. Zimbabwe scored 62 out of 100 on the Open Budget Index OBI, surpassing the Sub-Saharan African average of 38 and the international benchmark for adequate public access to budget information. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion attributed this success to ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing fiscal transparency, improving public access to budget information, and implementing public financial management reforms under the National Development Strategy 2 NDS2 and Vision 2030. While acknowledging progress, the government noted the need to strengthen public participation in the budget process. To address this, nationwide budget consultations for the 2027 National Budget are planned between July and December next year, inviting input from citizens, civil society organizations, and various community representatives. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube reaffirmed the government's commitment to deepening transparency and citizen engagement. The Ministry also recognized the contributions of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Office of the Auditor-General, UNICEF, and the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in advancing these refo
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Must ReadMinisters from the Southern African Development Community responsible for transport, information and communication technologies, information, and meteorology are convening in Bulawayo. Their objective is to create a roadmap for regional integration. This ministerial meeting follows three days of discussions by senior government officials and policymakers who reviewed sector progress and finalized briefing documents on topics such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, broadband expansion, artificial intelligence, and disaster preparedness. The summit's agenda focuses on four key areas: modernizing regional transport corridors, accelerating digital transformation and ICT integration, strengthening climate resilience and meteorological services, and advancing innovation, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in infrastructure development. A high-level ministerial roundtable also addressed regional aviation priorities, harmonizing aviation taxes, route development, and implementing the Single African Air Transport Market. The ministers are expected to evaluate progress against the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and the Short-Term Action Plan II of the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan. Deliberations will also be guided by the 1996 SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology. The SADC secretariat anticipates that the meeting's outcomes will lead to improved efficiency in regional systems, enhanced trade facilitati
Must ReadZimbabwean news reports highlight various national issues, including the country's performance in budget transparency, economic updates such as rising confidence in the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange ZMX with trades reaching US$1.28 million, and a rebound in tobacco auction prices. The total volume for the 2025/2026 tobacco marketing season is projected to exceed 355 million kilograms. Challenges faced by ART operations, including power outages and raw material shortages, led to declines in export and paper division volumes by 6% and 26% respectively in the third quarter to June 2022. Political tensions at grasslands plots have resulted in violent attacks and forced evictions. Stanbic Bank has deepened its partnership with the mining sector, extending US$227 million in credit support. Other news covers sports, local community programs, and business expos.
Must ReadART, a manufacturer, reported a decline in export and paper division volumes by 6% and 26% respectively, during the third quarter ending June 2022. This downturn was attributed to power outages and shortages of raw materials.