May Day, AI & Work, RBZ & Shah - The Central Bank Relied on Loans to Keep Afloat | Friday Drinks

Zimbabwe bans foreign investors in SME Mining, wants 98% locals in senior management | Friday Drinks

In this episode, Ranga and Rufaro discuss Zimbabwe’s mining sector amid major policy shifts, including the ban on foreign participation in small-scale gold mining and requirements for 98% local representation in senior and middle management roles across mining operations. They unpack what these changes mean for investment, skills development, and the long-term competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mining industry. The discussion explores key questions around regulatory risk, ease of doing business, and whether policy is aligned with the realities of large-scale mining development and global capital requirements. Zimbabwe holds significant mineral wealth, including lithium and gold, and continues to attract investor interest. But how these policies are implemented will shape confidence in the sector going forward. Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. This episode is sponsored by Dairibord Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s new mining policy a ban foreign participation in small-scale gold mining The 98% local requirement for senior and middle management in mining operations What “localisation” means in practice for skills, capacity, and leadership The role of foreign expertise in large-scale mining and whether it is replaceable locally Regulatory risk and how sudden policy shifts affect investor confidence Ease of doing business in Zimbabwe’s extractive sector Implications for capital-intensive projects like lithium mining Balancing economic empowerment with attracting foreign direct investment What these policies signal about Zimbabwe’s long-term industrialisation strategy The future of mining competitiveness in a global commodity market

Decline in Agriculture Funding, Banking Crisis, FDI Inflows & US Dollar Economy | Friday Drinks

Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack why Command Agriculture failed? Why is Zimbabwe struggling to attract meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI)? And what does it mean for the economy when the US dollar dominates everyday transactions? Zimbabwe’s banking sector, low deposit levels, the decline in agricultural funding, the shift from maize to tobacco farming, the US dollar economy and ZiG, and the broader economic and political challenges affecting growth and investment. The team also discusses: Millers and GMB The impact of politicised agricultural funding Why bank deposits in Zimbabwe remain low The dominance of the US dollar in rural economies Whether politics continues to hold Zimbabwe back economically Why Zimbabwe is not attracting investment at the same scale as other African countries Sponsored by Delta Corporation — Share a Coke and join the conversation.

Friday Drinks: Reviewing the First Mutual Wealth (FMW) gold ETF (Special Edition)

Ranga and Rufaro sit down with Simba Mangwendeza from First Mutual Wealth to unpack the First Mutual Wealth Gold ETF — an innovative investment product now listed on the VFEX. We explore: the ETF is linked to gold, what it offers investors, and why VFEX was chosen over the ZSE for listing. FMW Gold ETF units can also be sold on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with proceeds remitted in hard currency — adding cross-border liquidity and investor flexibility. This is a key moment for Zimbabwe’s capital markets as new financial instruments continue to emerge.

Friday Drinks: Reform, Reality & Recovery: Is Zimbabwe’s Economy Finally Turning the Corner?

Ranga, Rufaro and Simba Mangwendeza unpack key issues shaping Zimbabwe’s economy and financial sector. The conversation explores interest rates, monetary policy and the challenge of building confidence in the ZiG within a highly dollarised economy. The panel also discusses banking sector dynamics, including low lending activity, weak long-term deposits and shifting loans-to-deposits ratios. Further topics include ease of doing business, rising tax pressures, IMTT and the complexities of taxing a largely informal and cash-based economy. The discussion also looks at Zimbabwe’s gold reserves, mining sector potential and the estimated US$15.5bn capital requirement needed to fully unlock growth in the industry. A deep dive into the realities, contradictions and opportunities within Zimbabwe’s evolving economic landscape.

Promoting Zimbabwe Tourism from Tiger Bay | 67 Farms & ZIMSEC Debate | Friday Drinks

Join Tinashe, Rufaro and Ranga coming to you live from Tiger Bay, set on the banks of the Ume River and surrounded by the Matusadona National Park in Kariba. This episode is sponsored by Tiger Bay — a hospitality unit of the Nyaradzo Group. Key talking points during the show: How do we promote Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, and are we doing enough to sell Zimbabwe to the world? • Why Zimbabwe needs to package and market itself better as a tourism destination. • The challenges affecting tourism accessibility, including poor road infrastructure and potholes. • Tinashe highlights that sometimes “you have to endure some level of discomfort to get to your travel destination. It’s the uncomfortable part of the experience.” • The need for better roads, improved infrastructure and domestic flights between Harare and Kariba. • Why policymakers need to prioritise accessibility to strengthen tourism growth. Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro discuss Zimbabwe returning 67 farms protected under bilateral agreements, together with compensation and settlement of black-owned farms. • Debate around making ZIMSEC compulsory — and whether this is a problem government should solve.