AGP Executive Report

Tax Enforcement: ZIMRA has started pulling homeowners’ associations and landlords into its rental-income crackdown, demanding detailed owner and tenant information from estates like Arlington Estate in Harare and Borrowdale Brooke Golf Estate, under Section 39 of the Income Tax Act. Judiciary Shake-up: New judges and a new Appeals Court president were sworn in, with Justice Charles Hungwe appointed Court of Appeal president and additional Supreme Court bench members elevated from the High Court. Digital & AI in Services: Econet is expanding AI customer support with a Ndebele-speaking chatbot, while Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zimbabwe launched SME fibre-plus bundles including Microsoft 365, cloud backup and POS fiscalisation. Smart Policing: Police in Mutare deployed drones as part of Smart Policing to monitor illegal mining, touting and other crime. Cybercrime Case: A Midlands State University computer science student accused of hacking CABS and stealing over US$1.1m was denied bail and remanded. Public Health Tech: A Zimbabwe trial found that a digital “pillbox” with reminders improved viral suppression at 6 months for young people with HIV, though the effect faded after the device was withdrawn. Energy & Industry: Econet is rolling out solar and battery backup to cut network faults linked to power disruptions, and government opened Cabora Bassa for oil and gas investors while classifying coal as a critical mineral.

Zimbabwe–SA Trade: South Africa’s agricultural exports to Zimbabwe hit about US$1.2bn in 2025, making Zim a top destination and underlining the push for deeper value addition and regional value chains. AI in Telecom: Econet is using AI to cut network faults by tackling power disruptions, rolling out solar-plus-battery support, and plans a Ndebele-speaking customer-support chatbot later this month. Mining Modernisation & Cybersecurity: Rockwell Automation will work with Mimosa Mine and Mine Elect on a digital migration focused on secure connectivity, network segmentation and operational resilience. Public Health in Mining: A Zimbabwe study flags a “deadly triple threat” in artisanal mining—silicosis, TB and HIV—especially among young workers. Education Tech Funding: Injini opens applications for an eight-month AI EdTech venture builder across nine Southern African countries, prioritising teams with classroom experience. Local Tech & Connectivity: Liquid Intelligent Zimbabwe launches SME connectivity bundles combining fibre, Microsoft 365, cloud backup and POS fiscalisation. Governance & Regulation: Mnangagwa appoints a new BAZ board, while ZBC starts a door-to-door TV and radio licence inspection drive in Harare estates. Cybercrime Case: A Midlands State University student accused of hacking CABS and siphoning over US$1.1m is denied bail and remanded.

Broadcast Regulation: President Mnangagwa appoints a new seven-member BAZ board, but all members come from the same region, sparking questions about fair national representation in Zimbabwe’s broadcasting regulator. Urban Compliance: Chinhoyi gives property owners just two weeks to repair dilapidated buildings, with critics saying the rush is tied to political events and shifts costs onto ratepayers. Engineering & Youth Support: Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers’ Women’s Committee donates sanitary wear and essentials to Khayelihle Children’s Village, backing vulnerable children with both care and dignity. Cybercrime Case: An MSU student accused of hacking CABS and siphoning over US$1m is denied bail and returns to court on 22 September as investigations continue. Connectivity on the Move: Malandu Bus Service highlights how rural travellers are staying on WhatsApp during long trips, using onboard connectivity to reduce isolation. AI Customer Service: Econet Ai is nearing launch of an Ndebele-speaking customer-support chatbot, trained on recorded Ndebele speech and set to expand further by end-2026. Mining Policy & ESG: Zimbabwe links critical-minerals permitting and ESG compliance more tightly to project economics, with permits increasingly shaping financing and timelines. Critical Minerals Exports: Government suspends antimony and tungsten exports to push in-country value addition and beneficiation. Renewables for Cities: Gweru eyes a 200MW solar project via a joint venture to diversify municipal revenue and potentially feed surplus power to the grid. Health Tech Milestone: Mpilo Hospital becomes the first Bulawayo public facility to offer complex knee surgeries and total hip replacements after specialist training. Livestock Vaccine: MEVAC LSD vaccine rollout is hailed as a major step in protecting Zimbabwe’s cattle herd against lumpy skin disease.

Mining ESG & tenure: Zimbabwe’s Mines ministry says ESG compliance is moving from a report to a gatekeeper for mining-rights access, renewal and extensions, with stronger scrutiny on water, biodiversity and community commitments. Broadcast enforcement: ZBC starts a two-week door-to-door TV and radio licence inspection drive across 28 Harare suburbs from 7–18 September, with teams checking households and issuing/renewing licences. Livestock vaccine milestone: Zimbabwe rolls out the MEVAC LSD vaccine for lumpy skin disease, with first batches received in August 2025 and distribution via Chems Africa. Renewables push: Gweru eyes a 200MW solar plant via a joint venture to diversify municipal revenue and potentially feed surplus power to the grid. Gold traceability: Fidelity Gold Refinery says blockchain-based traceability and responsible sourcing are drawing more international buyers into Zimbabwe’s gold value chain. Public health warning: India flags Abhayrab rabies vaccine batch KE25012 as substandard/potentially spurious after a potency failure, prompting tighter vigilance. Mining export controls: Zimbabwe suspends antimony and tungsten exports (including ores and concentrates) to accelerate local beneficiation. Tech & travel risk: Zimbabwe border officials warn that AI travel advice can mislead tourists on visa rules, causing trouble at entry points. Housing infrastructure: NRZ pension fund tenders engineering design and supervision for 5,300 Bulawayo housing/mixed-use stands, including roads, drainage, water, sewer and electrical works. Education reform: Heritage-Based Curriculum exams begin next month, with Zimsec set to become the sole examination board and a stronger science/technology bias built in. Conservation tech: Africa is using cross-border wildlife censuses combining aerial counts, camera traps and tracking devices to monitor populations under pressure.

Industrial Steel Boost: Manhize steel output and China’s zero-tariff access helped Zimbabwe post record US$7.36bn merchandise exports in the first seven months of 2026, with exports up 55.1% and a trade surplus replacing the earlier deficit. Healthcare Skills Transfer: Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo became the first public facility to offer complex knee surgeries and total hip replacements after local orthopaedic surgeons were trained by visiting specialists from Italy and Scotland. Education 5.0 & Heritage Learning: Zimsec’s heritage-based curriculum is moving into public exams next month, with a stronger science-and-technology bias, while CUT students showcased an intelligent traffic light system built for real-time flow control. Mining & Investment Push: Zimbabwe’s delegation at Africa Down Under in Perth drew strong investor interest in PGMs, lithium and chrome beneficiation, with ZSM also linking its training to new mining technologies. Public Health Watch: India flagged the Abhayrab rabies vaccine batch as substandard and potentially spurious after a potency test failure, raising concerns about counterfeit doses. Environment Justice: Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights urged specialised courts and training for judges to better handle wetland and environmental disputes.

Zimbabwe–China Rail Upgrade: Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha toured China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group in Chengdu, saying Zimbabwe wants partnerships to modernise signalling, locomotives and wagons, and build new rail links as the network runs below peak capacity. Mining Tech & Investment Push (ADU Perth): Zimbabwe’s School of Mines used Africa Down Under to link curriculum with new mining tech, while Mutapa Investment Fund, the Chamber of Mines and MMCZ reported strong investor interest in beneficiation and value addition for PGMs, lithium and chrome. Local Innovation in Transport: Chinhoyi University of Technology students showcased a locally built intelligent traffic light system that adapts to real-time congestion, with prototypes already running in Kadoma and Rusape. Waste-to-Energy Deal: President Mnangagwa witnessed an EPC contract signing for a waste-to-energy plant between Geo Pomona Waste Management and Zhejiang Wei Ming Group Ltd, aimed at improving waste management using international best practice. Education 5.0 & Skills: President Mnangagwa urged HIT graduates to industrialise and modernise, reinforcing the Education 5.0 push toward research-to-industry outcomes. Public Health Tech & Data Sovereignty: A Namibia–US dispute highlights tensions over access to sensitive health records and biological resources, raising questions about privacy and control of data. Global Health Supply Risk: India flagged a rabies vaccine batch, Abhayrab, as substandard and potentially spurious after a potency test failure, prompting tighter vigilance on distribution. AI & Health Intelligence (Africa CDC): Africa CDC and partner countries advanced a behavioural and infodemic management framework to improve public health decisions using social and community information.

Child Protection: VP Kembo Mohadi toured Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa Children’s Home in Chiredzi, reaffirming Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children and praising the First Lady’s work beyond shelter into education opportunities. Smart Transport: Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) engineers an intelligent traffic light system for real-time flow control, replacing outdated countdown timers; prototypes are already running in Kadoma and Rusape. Waste-to-Energy: President Mnangagwa witnessed an EPC deal for a waste-to-energy plant after Geo Pomona Waste Management signed with China’s Zhejiang Wei Ming Group, pushing sustainable waste management. Mining Skills & Regulation: ASMZ wants Zimbabwe’s mine surveyors’ Certificate of Competence revived and reviewed with the School of Mines to secure a steady pipeline of qualified professionals. Lithium Beneficiation: Premier African Minerals seeks shareholder approval for major new share authorities to fund its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum project, as Zimbabwe also reports big gains from lithium concentrate earnings after raw export restrictions. Health Tech & Privacy: A republished analysis warns that health data privacy rules don’t cover much of the data people generate outside clinics, raising concerns as governments expand data collection. Public Health Intelligence: Africa CDC and partners are advancing a behavioural and infodemic management framework to strengthen how social and information signals feed into outbreak decisions, with Zimbabwe among participating countries.

Solar Power Watch: A new analysis says Africa’s solar boom is largely “hidden” because much of the growth is in distributed rooftop systems, with Zimbabwe among the fastest risers as 36 of 54 countries are projected to hit record PV levels in 2026. Public Health Data: Africa CDC and partner countries are building a Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management framework to better use community and information data for outbreak response and vaccine uptake. Zimbabwe Mining & Lithium: Zimbabwe’s raw mineral export ban is starting to pay off, with lithium concentrate earnings jumping sharply as the country pushes “pit-to-product” beneficiation. Mining Finance & Shares: Premier African Minerals is seeking shareholder approval for massive new share issues to fund its Zulu lithium and tantalum project. Cyber & Digital Tools: Econet wins major ZIMRA tax awards, while Bvio’s Violoop shows how on-device AI “hardware agents” are moving from demos to real products. Education Tech & Policy: New school reopening guidelines stress fees, safety and exam readiness, alongside continued upgrades like the Mnangagwa Law School’s digital research centres.

Education 5.0 Upgrade: Midlands State University’s Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe is rolling out moot courts, legal aid clinics and digital research centres, with new Space Law and Cyber Law programmes. Diaspora Investment Push: AUUDA Africa is courting diaspora capital for Bulawayo’s re-industrialisation, spotlighting tourism, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture and renewables. Lithium Value Addition: Zimbabwe says its raw lithium export ban is paying off, with lithium concentrate earnings jumping 413% year-on-year as the country shifts “pit-to-product.” School Reopening Guidelines: Government issues fresh third-term guidance, stressing quality teaching, learner safety and exam readiness, while warning against fee and uniform abuses. Mining Cybersecurity Modernisation: Rockwell Automation partners with Mimosa Mine and Mine Elect to strengthen operational networks, security segmentation and safer system access. Tech for Daily Work: Bvio’s Violoop hardware agent plugs into a PC to automate repetitive tasks by observing screen activity—no APIs required. National Heritage Media: Officials urge Zimbabwe’s media to move beyond information delivery into creative, tech-enabled storytelling that preserves local history. El Niño Warning: UN climate updates warn El Niño could be among the strongest on record, raising risks of drought and extreme heat.

Mining Cybersecurity: Rockwell Automation is partnering with Mimosa Mine and Mine Elect to modernise Zimbabwe’s Midlands operations, upgrading the OT network and tightening secure connectivity, cybersecurity risk management, and system access for stronger operational resilience. Education & Skills: University of Zimbabwe’s Hodson Makurira says Zimbabwe must shift from theory to TVET and hands-on skills under “Education 5.0” to industrialise and cut youth unemployment. Climate Risk: The UN’s World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño could become the strongest in decades, bringing extreme heat plus higher flood and drought risks that could hit Zimbabwe’s farming and water planning. Agritech Inputs: Farmers in drought-prone areas are being urged to consider organic liquid fertilisers as Super El Niño fears grow, with promoters pointing to Nutriplant products for drought tolerance. Mining Investment Push: Zimbabwe is pitching its underexplored mineral potential to Australian investors at Africa Down Under in Perth, stressing exploration, beneficiation, value addition, and technology as the next step. Public Health & Dairy: A Bulawayo veterinary indaba will focus on dairy animal health and milk production, linking disease prevention and biosecurity to food security goals. Local Culture & Museums: Zimbabwe’s museums are urged to tell Zimbabwean stories and local heroes, not just colonial-era figures, after a minister’s China study tour. Fire Safety Watch: Bulawayo reports a 60% rise in fires (Jan–Jun), with faulty wiring and overloaded sockets flagged, and calls for early-warning systems.

Domestic Revenue Push: Zimbabwe’s economy is now a US$66bn-plus base for wider tax collection, with Zimra urged to grow alongside growth and lift the tax-to-GDP ratio to 22% by 2030. Club Governance & Finance: Dynamos face fresh resignations as a six-month independent review targets financial controls, fraud risks and possible leakages. AI & Skills Spotlight: Zimbabwean firms’ growing use of AI and the need for stronger skills investment will be highlighted at the Top Companies Survey Awards. Party Logistics: Zanu-PF ramps up preparations for its Chinhoyi National People’s Conference, expecting thousands of delegates and pushing “resolutions to results” for Vision 2030. Public Administration Exchange: Senior Zimbabwean officials are in China for a 12-day seminar on public management, economic development and governance. Energy Security & Tech Controls: A US order bans bulk-power equipment from “covered foreign actors,” listing Zimbabwe among affected entities. Regional Energy Infrastructure: CPMZ breaks ground on a major Beira–Harare fuel corridor expansion, boosting pipeline capacity by 67% and adding about two billion litres of fuel annually. Mining & Power Link: Analysts at Africa Down Under stress that reliable energy is key to turning Zimbabwe’s mineral potential into beneficiation and industrial growth. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Avenues Clinic invests US$500k in modern ICU/HDU/CCU monitoring and dialysis capacity, pushing technology-driven critical care. Traditional Medicine Research: First Lady Mnangagwa calls for scientific research and regulation to integrate traditional medicines safely into Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. Science From Lake Kariba: Zimbabwe researchers unveil a newly named dinosaur, Musango, expanding what we know about the country’s deep paleontological past. Kapenta Under Pressure: Lake Kariba kapenta stocks face rising strain as rigs multiply, with calls for a possible cap after studies link fishing pressure to declining catches. Connectivity & Data: Starlink’s push nears Zimbabwe’s fibre market as VSAT subscriptions hit a record 86,488, signalling faster internet competition. Digital Inclusion in Farming: China’s northeast is using AI, drones and data maps to modernise farming—an approach Zimbabwe can learn from as it seeks smarter agriculture.

Paleontology: Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba is linked to a newly described dinosaur, “Musango,” a small early relative of long-necked giants, with findings published after fossils were found in 2018. Regional Health Policy: SADC states met in Harare to speed up implementation, monitoring and reporting of sexual and reproductive health and rights under the 2019–2030 strategy. Cybersecurity & Finance: A Midlands State University computer science student, Sabelo Malunga, faces court over an alleged CABS cyberattack using remote access software, with claims of losses above US$1.1m. Internet & Connectivity: NetOne launched a “No-Cap Weekends” unlimited bundle for Saturdays and Sundays, while Starlink’s fibre push is closing in on Zimbabwe’s fixed broadband market. Digital Infrastructure for Industry: Rockwell Automation is partnering with Mimosa Mine to modernise its operational technology network, focusing on secure connectivity and cyber risk management. Education Tech Support: Stanbic Bank handed laptops and full scholarships to five Chinhoyi University of Technology students, boosting access to digital learning. Energy & Mining Outlook: Zimbabwe is positioning its mineral potential at Africa Down Under in Perth, stressing that reliable power is key for beneficiation and industrial growth.

Agro-Industrial Park Results: The University of Zimbabwe says its Heritage-Based Education 5.0 drive is now producing 4,000 litres of cooking oil daily, 110,000 chickens per cycle and 25,000 loaves of bread—showing a full value chain from soy to finished products. Healthcare Tech Upgrade: Avenues Clinic has poured US$500,000 into modernising ICU/HDU/CCU units under a wider US$4m refurbishment, adding advanced patient monitoring, centralised medical gas/power outlets, moisture detection and more dialysis capacity. Traditional Medicine Research Push: First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa urged stronger scientific research, regulation and collaboration to prove the safety and effectiveness of traditional medicines for universal health coverage. Energy for Mining: Zimbabwe is pitching to investors at Africa Down Under in Perth that reliable electricity is the key to unlocking mineral value, with solar and hybrid power options highlighted. Solar Deal Secures Offtake: ZETDC signed an escrow and security agreement with Munyati Evergreen Energy to ring-fence revenues for the 100MW Munyati solar plant. Cybercrime in Focus: A Midlands State University student, Sabelo Malunga, faces court over an alleged CABS cyberattack linked to remote access software and losses put at over US$1.1m. Starlink Broadband Surge: POTRAZ-linked data shows VSAT subscriptions jumped to 86,488 in Q1 2026, just 17 behind fibre connections—signalling rapid Starlink-driven demand. Education Expo: Scholastica 2026 in Bulawayo expects 5,000+ learners and will connect schools, tertiary institutions and industry through a structured buyers programme.

ZANU PF Succession Fight: Harare Province has resolved to postpone the party’s National Congress from 2027 to 2030 and endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain First Secretary until then, tightening the squeeze on VP Constantino Chiwenga’s leadership ambitions. Cybersecurity & Finance: A Midlands State University student, Sabelo Malunga, faces court over an alleged CABS cyber heist worth over US$1.1m, involving remote access software and fraudulent transactions. Renewable Power Milestone: ZETDC has signed an Escrow and Security Agreement with Munyati Evergreen Energy to ring-fence off-take for the 100MW Munyati Solar Power Plant, set to be Zimbabwe’s biggest solar project yet. Mining Tech & Inclusion: Rockwell Automation backs Mimosa Mine’s digital migration for stronger OT network security, while SADC artisanal mining talks push for all-gender inclusivity in critical minerals value chains. Education & Skills: Scholastica 2026 Expo in Bulawayo expects 5,000+ learners, and Stanbic Bank’s scholarship fund supports CUT students with full tuition and laptops. Health & Research: WHO marks African Traditional Medicine Day, calling for more investment in research, regulation and innovation to move traditional care “from research to reach.” Energy Policy Watch: US moves to restrict certain foreign bulk-power equipment could affect future power infrastructure deals.

Scholarships & Skills: Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding hosted the 2026 Chinese Government Scholarship and China-Zimbabwe Friendship Scholarship awards, with Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Dr Frederick Shava urging recipients to excel and help drive national development. Women in Enterprise: President Mnangagwa told 8,000 women at the Young Women for Economic Development convention to lead innovation and industrial growth, promising more support through the Presidential Young Women’s Empowerment Fund and barrier removal. Digital Inclusion: Gateway to Elation launched a project to improve accessible digital civic participation for blind communities, pushing for technology that lets people “Access. Participate. Be Heard.” Health & Traditional Medicine: WHO marked African Traditional Medicine Day with calls for more investment in research, regulation and innovation so traditional care can support universal health coverage. Cybercrime Case: Midlands State University student Sabelo Malunga appeared in court over alleged malware use to hack CABS and steal over US$1.1m via VISA/ZIPIT transactions. Power & Industry: Eskom says surplus electricity could be sold back to industry, including a possible Mozal return, as it targets new export customers. Energy Transition: Zimbabwe’s solar push and mineral beneficiation featured at the ISA Africa meeting in Victoria Falls, linking critical minerals to renewable energy investment. Infrastructure Impact: Bulawayo road rehabilitation is improving access for small businesses around Nketa Drive. Migration Aid: Zimbabwe Red Cross says it supported 10,000 returnees from South Africa with transport, connectivity and dignity kits.

Cybercrime in banking: Midlands State University student Sabelo Malunga, 24, appeared in Harare court over an alleged US$1.1m CABS hack using malware and remote access, with prosecutors saying VISA/ZIPIT fraud followed suspicious ATM withdrawals and that none of the money was recovered. Digital inclusion & risk: Zimbabwe is also grappling with cyber risks as digital payments expand, while a separate report highlights how AI can mislead travellers on visa rules—leaving people with costly border problems. Energy & solar push: Zimbabwe is positioning local mineral beneficiation to scale up domestic renewables, with the International Solar Alliance meeting in Victoria Falls feeding into investment and deployment plans. Mining skills & youth: The Zimbabwe School of Mines plans an experimental “living laboratory” mine near Bulawayo and new drone/gemology training, while the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe co-opted its first youth chairperson to bring younger professionals into tech-driven surveying. Broadband leap: Starlink is closing the gap with fibre in Zimbabwe, with satellite broadband subscriptions nearly matching fibre numbers by Q1 2026. Water infrastructure resettlement: Lake Gwayi-Shangani relocation plans are underway for 806 families ahead of dam impoundment, budgeted at about US$28m. Humanitarian response: Zimbabwe Red Cross says it supported over 10,000 returnees from South Africa with transport, connectivity and dignity kits after anti-migrant violence.