The World Bank has delisted Zimbabwe from the World Bank Group’s classifications of countries affected by conflict and institutional fragility, effective July 1, this year.
Under the World Bank Group’s revised classification framework for the 2027 fiscal year, Zimbabwe is no longer on the list of countries that are classified as fragile and conflict-affected economies.
In a statement, Finance Professor Mthuli Ncube said this marks an important milestone in the country’s ongoing economic and institutional transformation.
“The development signals international recognition of Zimbabwe’s improving institutional resilience and provides further impetus to the reforms underway under the Second Republic toward attaining Vision 2030 and an Empowered and Prosperous Upper-Middle- Income Society.
“Beginning in July 2026, the World Bank Group introduced two separate classifications: The Public Fragility, Conflict and Violence List, which identifies countries where organised political violence affects at least 20% of the population; and the Institutional Fragility List, which identifies eligible countries with a Country cy and Institutional Assessment score strictly below 3.0.
“Zimbabwe is no longer in these two lists, and it affirms the country’s economic and social progress.”
Prof Ncube also said this milestone coincides with significant progress in stabilising and transforming the economy.
“Real Gross Domestic Product growth of 8.3% in 2025, supported by strong performance in agriculture, mining, manufacturing and services;
“A decline in annual ZiG inflation to 2.9% in August 2026, reflecting sustained price and exchange-rate stability.
“Improved fiscal and monetary discipline, supported by measures to contain expenditure, limit monetary expansion and strengthen the domestic currency.
“Continued improvements in public financial management, institutional governance and the business environment.
“A transparency score of 62 out of 100 in the 2025 Open Budget Survey, placing Zimbabwe among the leading performers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Zimbabwe’s budget transparency score has increased by 39 points since 2017.”
Significance for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s exit from the fragility classification strengthens the country’s international standing and reinforces the positive narrative around its economic and institutional reform trajectory. Over time, this development will:
Improve international perceptions of Zimbabwe’s institutional and investment risk;
Strengthen investor confidence and support the mobilisation of long-term domestic 81 foreign investment;
Create greater scope for commercial project financing, infrastructure partnerships and co-financing arrangements;
Promote deeper trade, investment and development partnerships; and
Complement Zimbabwe’s ongoing Arrears Clearance, Debt Relief and Restructuring Process.
Building a resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy that creates jobs, attracts investment, improves public services and raises the quality of life for all its citizens, leaving no one and no place behind, remains the Government’s top priority.
Government remains committed to implementing the reforms necessary to consolidate macroeconomic stability, strengthen governance, improve the investment climate and advance the Structured Dialogue Platform on arrears clearance and debt resolution.
