Zimbabwe projected to be Africa’s 15th-largest economy in 2026

The IMF projects Zimbabwe’s economy at $65.92 billion in 2026, placing it 15th among African economies.

That is an improvement on earlier IMF estimates, which ranked Zimbabwe 17th in 2025 and 16th in April 2026.

Zimbabwe’s growth is forecast at 5% in 2026, after an estimated 8.3% in 2025, supported by gold prices, recovering agriculture and remittances.

But Tanzania is projected to have a $96.18 billion economy, with growth forecast at 5.9%.

Years of inflation and currency depreciation have weakened trust in Zimbabwe’s currency, so the US dollar remains widely used despite the introduction of the ZiG in 2024.

The dollar accounts for about two-thirds of payment value in Zimbabwe’s national payment system, which helps people and businesses protect their money but limits the central bank’s control over monetary policy.

The ranking is based on GDP measured in US dollars, so exchange rates and accounting changes can shift a country’s position without showing an equivalent change in production or living standards.

Zimbabwe’s authorities have tightened monetary measures, and the IMF has called for continued fiscal discipline and reforms to build confidence in the financial system.