ZFN FRIDAY DRINKS

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss the anti-immigration protests in South Africa and the return of more than 56,000 Zimbabweans, exploring the impact on both countries. We ask the important question: Is the South African state complicit in anti-immigration protests? What role does South Africa state play in preventing or enabling the anti-immigration protests? Is this about policy, po...

Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro are back with another episode of Friday Drinks. The team unpacks Cuba's new free-market reforms, widely regarded as the country's biggest economic shift since the Cuban Revolution. They examine what these reforms could mean for Cuba's economy and discuss why free markets are often associated with investment, productivity, and economic growth. The conversation also explor...

🎙️ In this episode: Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro explore: Why are platinum miners reportedly owed around US$228 million in unpaid export income under the foreign currency retention system. What does this mean for investor confidence, and the wider economy. The conversation also explores whether Zimbabwe is overregulating businesses, the challenges facing the formal sector, and what policymakers can d...

Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack some of the week's biggest ideas. ls colonizing Mars a worthy human pursuit? The markets certainly seem to think so, with investors continuing to back SpaceX. But is this humanity's next great frontier or simply 21st-century colonialism? Rufaro reflects on his Comrades Marathon experience and explores what inspires ordinary people to take on one of the...

Tinashe, Rufaro and Ranga unpack two major developments: they discuss the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange(ZSE) approval of a new Entrepreneurship Exchange and what this could mean for startups, small businesses, and access to capital in the country. Could this be a game-changer for local entrepreneurs? The team also explores the Government’s proposed Local Content Act, aimed at reducing imports and promot...

Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro begin with agriculture, unpacking the difference between lifestyle farming and commercial farming, and debating whether successful farming requires full-time presence on the farm. The discussion then moves into deeper economic issues, including RBZ money supply growth, inflation risks, and what rising liquidity could mean for prices and stability in the economy. The...

In this episode, Ranga and Rufaro discuss Zimbabwe’s mining sector amid major policy shifts, including the ban on foreign participation in small-scale gold mining and requirements for 98% local representation in senior and middle management roles across mining operations. They unpack what these changes mean for investment, skills development, and the long-term competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mining...

Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack why Command Agriculture failed? Why is Zimbabwe struggling to attract meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI)? And what does it mean for the economy when the US dollar dominates everyday transactions? Zimbabwe’s banking sector, low deposit levels, the decline in agricultural funding, the shift from maize to tobacco farming, the US dollar economy and...

Ranga and Rufaro sit down with Simba Mangwendeza from First Mutual Wealth to unpack the First Mutual Wealth Gold ETF — an innovative investment product now listed on the VFEX. We explore: the ETF is linked to gold, what it offers investors, and why VFEX was chosen over the ZSE for listing. FMW Gold ETF units can also be sold on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with proceeds remitted in hard...

Ranga, Rufaro and Simba Mangwendeza unpack key issues shaping Zimbabwe’s economy and financial sector. The conversation explores interest rates, monetary policy and the challenge of building confidence in the ZiG within a highly dollarised economy. The panel also discusses banking sector dynamics, including low lending activity, weak long-term deposits and shifting loans-to-deposits ratios. Furthe...

Join Tinashe, Rufaro and Ranga coming to you live from Tiger Bay, set on the banks of the Ume River and surrounded by the Matusadona National Park in Kariba. This episode is sponsored by Tiger Bay — a hospitality unit of the Nyaradzo Group. Key talking points during the show: How do we promote Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, and are we doing enough to sell Zimbabwe to the world? • Why Zimbabwe needs...

Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they explore May Day in the age of AI — and what it means for the future of work. From the relevance of May Day in the age of AI and whether a four-day work week is becoming realistic, how artificial intelligence is reshaping productivity and the future of jobs, the discussion explores what work could look like in the years ahead. Also joining the conversation is...

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss tobacco farming to fuel pumps, healthcare policy to foreign investment covering the real conversations shaping Zimbabwe’s economy. Ranga shares his experience as a first-time tobacco farmer, navigating low prices and the realities on the ground. The discussion expands into how the tobacco sector is financed, and the evolving role of merchants versus...

Join Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack Zimbabwe's economy: Can Zimbabwe hit the IMF's 5% growth target amid policy inconsistent, a debt overhang, and local currency fixation? Key Topics: IMF forecasts 5% GDP growth for 2026—matching government targets, but is it realistic? Washington debt talks: $2.5B bridging finance to clear arrears and unlock funding Monocurrency: 6 failed local currency attempts...

Join Ranga and Rufaro with Noel Mahombera, Chief Business Development Officer at ZIDA (Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency). Discussion insights: How ZIDA is working to attract investment and position Zimbabwe as a premier destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (BKPO). They dive deep into: 🔥 Zimbabwe's BPO Potential: Lower labor costs, skilled...

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss how the ZiG is fading from the economy and how over 90% of the formal sector runs on the US dollar – with the informal sector effectively at 100%. We ask: how realistic is the mono‑currency? We then turn to energy: independent power producers (IPPs), such as solar projects, rely on long‑term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and government guarantees....

Join Rufaro in conversation with runners at the Nyaradzo @25 Run, which saw an impressive turnout of over 5,000 participants at the SEAL Lifestyle Park in Chishawasha. The run celebrated 25 years of the Nyaradzo Group, bringing together runners and fitness enthusiasts. Rufaro sits down with runners to discuss what motivates and inspires them to keep going. Join Rufaro in conversation with runners...

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro in Victoria Falls at Econet InfraCo listing on the VFEX. They unpack what this record-breaking debut means for investors, the economy, and the future of Zimbabwe’s capital markets. With a valuation of US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo marks the largest initial listing in Zimbabwe’s capital markets history. This is sponsored by Delta Corporation - 'Share a Coke' and join...

Tinashe and Ranga unpack fuel price increases, Zimbabwe’s fuel reserves, the impact of rising costs, and how policy is shaping investor confidence. This episode is sponsored by O'mari Zimbabwe. Fuel prices in Zimbabwe have gone up again, just three months into 2026. But authorities say the country still has over three months of fuel in reserve. So why are prices rising, and what does this mean for...

Join Tinashe as he sits down with Zimbabwe's rugby star turned NFL player TJ Maguranyanga – the second Zimbabwean ever to play in America's premier football league. At just 22, TJ shares his incredible transition from excelling in rugby and the Africa Men's Sevens to signing an NFL contract. Also featuring Paddy Zhanda Jr. from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) interim management committee. This epis...

Join Tinashe and Rufaro with aviation pioneer Captain Obet Mazinyi, with over 40 years of global flying experience. Captain Obet’s journey training in Zambia, then training at the British Airways School in the UK. Post-independence Air Zimbabwe: Needing 1,000 hours to join a mostly white airline, profitable Harare-London routes, and why Zimbabwe became a major aviation hub as the world opened up....

🏠 Exploring the realities of Zimbabwe’s real estate and property investment markets, including the challenges and opportunities for both middle- and low-income earners. 👨‍⚖️ Insights into city governance with the analogy that “City Fathers” have failed to live up to their responsibilities. 🏢 The concept of decentralizing urban planning—encouraging local communities like Budiriro, Chitungwiza, a...

Insights on NicozDiamond Insurance journey, transformation, and future outlook in Zimbabwe and the region. Reinsurance in Zimbabwe: Local reinsurers play a vital role in managing insurer risk. Art and personal items insurance: Spectacles and personal items like glasses can be insured. Small claims (e.g., glasses) can be settled within 24 hours at NicozDiamond. Education and skills challenge: Half-...

📊 Budget shows projected 6% GDP growth, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and mining. Despite positive figures, no meaningful policy shift from the previous budget—missed opportunity. 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe’s economy remains 76% informal—a major structural weakness 🏭 Manufacturing is now the largest formal sector contributor (15% of GDP) 📈 Treasury Bills (TBs) remain unpaid, raising questions about go...

Misalignment between the Central Bank and Treasury. Without coordinated fiscal and monetary policy, confidence in the economy remains fragile. Central Bank says they're not printing ZiG while Treasury claims discipline and strong collections. But is the market buying it? Debate around the ZiG currency—its gold backing, official exchange rate of 1:26 , and why that rate may not reflect reality. Gro...