Zimbabwe has made considerable progress on its arrears clearance roadmap and is now engaging a new generation of champions to support the process, a senior Government official has confirmed.Zimbabwe Business Directory
The country is currently implementing a 10-month Staff Monitored Programme (SMP) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Addressing a virtual media briefing from Washington DC, where he is attending the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube say the programme is consistent with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and contains no alarming or new conditions.
Minister Ncube revealed that Dr Sidi Ould Tah, the 9th President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), has committed to step in as a successor to Dr Akinwumi Adesina as a champion for the arrears clearance programme.
Dr Tah will work alongside former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, who has also been championing Zimbabwe’s case.
Minister Ncube, who held a virtual briefing with local media said there is also a need for other types of champions.
“We need champions who can advocate for Zimbabwe’s case in areas where we’re not present, in situations where that support is needed. But also we need champions who can support us in terms of giving us bridge funding in order to clear the World Bank and the AfDB loan,” Minister Ncube said.
Once the Staff Monitored Programme is successfully completed, Zimbabwe is also negotiating access to what is termed a “set-aside” — resources held in the soft windows of the AfDB and the World Bank that are used to clear its arrears.Zimbabwe Business Directory
“We’re also negotiating on this set-aside to make sure that we’re accommodated once the Staff Monitored Programme is completed,” Minister Ncube added.
While attending the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings, Minister Ncube and the Zimbabwe delegation met with representatives from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Algeria, and others.
“We are making sure that we touch base with all our potential champions in this process,” Minister Ncube said.
Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance process is seen as critical to unlocking new financing from international financial institutions and restoring the country’s access to concessional lending.
While in Washington DC, the Minister and his delegation held discussions with the World Bank Group Executive Director for Africa Group 1, Mr Zarau Kibwe. These engagements form part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to secure an advocacy partner and a champion for bridging finance.
Mr Kibwe welcomed the progress under the Staff Monitored Programme and indicated that he is engaging key stakeholders at the Bank to ensure Zimbabwe’s case receives due consideration, with the aim of facilitating arrears clearance and unlocking broader economic opportunities.
Since early January 2026, Zimbabwe has been advancing its Debt Resolution Strategy, which includes negotiations to secure bridging finance to clear arrears and restore access to affordable, long-term funding.
The Executive Director also highlighted the World Bank’s initiatives to strengthen regional trade, including plans to integrate Zimbabwe into strategic trade corridors under the forthcoming Regional Integration Strategy. He also underscored advocacy for a special dispensation for Zimbabwe under the International Development Association (IDA-22), the World Bank’s concessional financing window that provides interest-free loans and grants to support poverty reduction in developing countries.Zimbabwe Business Directory
The delegation also engaged with representatives from the United Kingdom and Germany at the IMF and World Bank.
During discussions with UK IMF Executive Director Veda Pon and UK Advisor Will Obeney, the UK commended Zimbabwe’s progress under the SMP, calling it a credible signal of commitment to reform.
The UK indicated its willingness to relay Zimbabwe’s reform progress to its capital and expressed openness to providing technical assistance to support programme implementation. This reflects the role of bilateral partners in reinforcing multilateral reform processes through capacity-building and policy support.
Similarly, engagements with German Executive Director Bernd Kaltenhäuser focused on Zimbabwe’s search for an advocacy partner and bridge-loan champion. Germany acknowledged the SMP as a critical foundation for arrears clearance and indicated its potential role as an advocacy champion.
Importantly, Germany emphasised the need to integrate private sector participation into the arrears clearance process, aligning with public-private partnership models that enhance financial sustainability and risk-sharing.
Zimbabwe continues to strengthen private sector financing channels, with increased access to credit lines and ongoing engagements with the International Finance Corporation expected to yield further support. Additionally, the establishment of Special Economic Zones underscores efforts to attract investment, promote industrialisation, and enhance export competitiveness.Zimbabwe Business Directory
Zimbabwe’s arrears clearance process is seen as critical to unlocking new financing from international financial institutions and restoring the country’s access to concessional lending.-herald
