Zimbabwe Posts Historic US$16bn Foreign Currency Earnings

Zimbabwe has recorded its highest-ever foreign currency earnings since independence, generating over US$16 billion in 2025. According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), foreign currency receipts surged to US$16.2 billion in 2025, up from US$13.3 billion in 2024, representing a 21.8% increase.

The strong performance reflects the success of the government's export-led growth strategy, macroeconomic stabilization reforms, improved mineral and agricultural output, and rising diaspora remittances. Export earnings dominated foreign currency inflows, accounting for an average of 59.7% of total receipts in 2025. Mining and agriculture were the main drivers of growth, with gold remaining the single largest contributor to foreign currency inflows.

Diaspora remittances have emerged as a key pillar of foreign currency inflows, accounting for an average of 13.5% of total receipts in 2025. The RBZ attributed the growth to improved remittance channels, lower transaction costs, and increased use of formal money transfer platforms.

The RBZ expects foreign currency earnings to remain strong in 2026, supported by firm global commodity prices, rising mineral output, and continued growth in diaspora remittances. Economic analyst Persistence Gwanyanya described the US$16 billion forex haul as historic, saying it speaks to a pumping economy and tangible developments from these inflows. Foreign currency reserves: US$1.2 billion (equivalent to one month of import cover). ZiG annual inflation: 15% (beat the 30% target). Month-on-month inflation: 0.4% (averaged between February and December. Exchange rate stability: Maintained throughout 2025, with the interbank rate hovering around ZiG26 per US dollar .