Background
About AEDS and the End of Year Economic Review
In recent years, that is, from 2020 to date, the global economy has experienced a “polycrisis”: a series of overlapping shocks which include a global pandemic, climate change, armed conflicts, geopolitical risks and an unprecedented inflation surge that has permanently altered the economic landscape.
In view of this, Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS), a development think tank, has established the Zimbabwe Economic Pulse (ZEP). The ZEP is a flagship report that provides hard facts, granular information and forecasts on the country's economic prospects, grounded in rigorous economic modelling and analysis. It addresses a fundamental gap: the absence of independent, evidence-based perspectives on the state of the economy, deep analysis of existing data, and robust economic insights and forecasts.
Global developments & outlook
Growth and inflation trends in advanced economies, emerging markets and Sub-Saharan Africa. These are analysed against geopolitical developments, climate-induced risks, inflation, armed conflicts, and demand and supply dynamics, with their implications for Zimbabwe, including international commodity developments.
Domestic developments
An in-depth look at the real sector, fiscal developments, monetary and exchange rate developments, financial market developments, the external sector, and public debt.
The ZEP series
The fourth instalment
To date, AEDS has produced three publications of the ZEP. The fourth instalment provides a deep analysis of the performance of the Zimbabwean economy over the full year 2026 and presents detailed economic forecasts for 2027.
2025 Economic Review and 2026 Economic Outlook
Published
First Quarter Economic Review in the face of Geopolitical Risks
Published
Mid-Term Economic Review
Published
End of Year Economic Review: full-year 2026 and forecasts for 2027
3 December 2026
Under the theme “Building Durable Stability in the face of External Shocks”, the End of Year Economic Review is a full-day event on 3 December 2026 at Manna Resorts, Harare, Zimbabwe. AEDS will present the fourth instalment of the ZEP: a review of 2026 economic performance and forecasts for 2027 on key indicators, including economic growth, inflation, the exchange rate, and fiscal and external sector developments.
Purpose
Purpose of the Review and Policy Dialogue
The main purpose is to take stock of the economy's performance in 2026 and to forecast the economic outlook for 2027. The specific objectives are:
- 1 To provide opportunity for dialogue with policy makers, think tank and businesses on pertinent issues affecting the economy;
- 2 To inform the implementation of the 2027 National Budget and the 2027 Monetary Policy Statement;
- 3 To provide independent, credible, hard facts and evidence-based perspectives on the state of the economy, powered by economic modelling, deep analysis of existing data and robust economic insights and forecasts, which are essential for decision making; and
- 4 To build consensus on the critical policy issues, especially in the face of external shocks.
Expected Outcomes
- Evidence-based policy propositions
- Improved understanding, trust and confidence between government, business, think tanks and academia
- Shared vision and built-in consensus on the state of the economy and policy positions
Key Topics
- State of the economy and 2027 outlook
- Structural and production enhancement policies
- Roadmap to mono-currency
- El Niño effects
- Ease of doing business
Why this is a must-attend event
It provides independent, evidence-based perspectives on the state of the economy, backed by hard facts. These come from economic modelling, deep analysis of existing data, and robust economic insights and forecasts.