ZIMBABWE must leverage its host­ing and chairmanship of the Com­mon Market for Eastern and South­ern Africa to drive export growth and attract more foreign direct investment, analysts say. >tinyurl.com/rtzfrd6c Follow The Financial Gazette channel on WhatsApp: tinyurl.com/2ea8rry2

PLANNED acquisitions in Zimbabwe and Zambia have bolstered Axia Cor­poration’s growth prospects in the year to June 2027, complementing revenue gains from new store openings, investment analysts, IH Securities says. >tinyurl.com/5xb3txrp

In a market where green certification is not yet mandatory, the question is no longer “why certify?” It is “can you afford not to?” >tinyurl.com/2uxzb72j

RAINBOW Tourism Group says it paid US$13,27 million in taxes in 2025, up 18 percent from US$11,23 million a year earlier, driven by expansionary projects undertaken. >tinyurl.com/4kf9hknw

FIRST Mutual Holdings plans to repurpose US$15 million worth of property assets in the central business district into malls, warehouses and Real Estate Invest­ment Trusts in a strategic shift to unlock greater value. >tinyurl.com/bdju4wdv

INVICTUS Energy has commenced relocating its Exalo Rig 202 from the Mukuyu-2 wellsite to the Musuma-1 exploration target in Zimbabwe’s Cabora Bassa Basin, with drilling expected to be­gin next month. >tinyurl.com/336f43a4

THE prices of major agri­cultural commodities have remained flat on the Zimba­bwe Mercantile Exchange as weak supplies and limited farmer participation constrained trading. >tinyurl.com/4nvtxh6v

Tax specialist Simbarashe Hamudi has been appointed country managing partner for Zimbabwe at Baker Tilly Central Africa, marking a significant leadership shift at the accounting and advisory firm and highlighting the growing role of tax expertise in corporate leadership. >tinyurl.com/4m2x22fb

Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe has doubled its annual donation to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe for chemotherapy treatment to USD50 000, as it marks over a decade of sustained commitment to cancer patients and their families through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. >tinyurl.com/3d6c93p9

ESWATINI plans to import raw honey from Zimbabwe to meet a domestic supply shortfall and sup­ply its processing industry, which serves markets across Southern Africa. >tinyurl.com/4pkfrt7z

THE country’s real estate and construction industry is preparing for a major gathering later this month as the Zimbabwe Real Estate and Construction Summit returns for its third edition, with MCM Estates headlining the event as its major sponsor. >tinyurl.com/yzyfj4wr

AFRICA must treat industrial waste as a resource and develop recycling indus­tries to create jobs, officials said. Officials attending the 25th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Summit in Harare said Africa accounts for a small share of global re­cycling. >tinyurl.com/4kpkecv6

The inaugural Home Makers Expo Zimbabwe 2026 was officially opened by National Housing and Social Amenities minister Paul Mavima in Harare on Thursday. Pictures by Brighton Goko

DELTA Corporation’s non-alcoholic beverages business supported over 27 000 jobs in the country, con­tributing US$473 million in eco­nomic activity across the local value chain, the company’s chief executive Matlhogonolo Valela has said. >tinyurl.com/3kpdj4f3

GOVERNMENT must review the sugar tax to reflect industry reali­ties and prevent excessive cost increases for manufacturers, the Zimbabwe National Cham­ber of Commerce has said. >tinyurl.com/y4wzwt4b

LOCAL banks say they are in discussions with several parties to establish a guarantee that will protect lenders and sugar grow­ers. >tinyurl.com/ycxj2rja

ZIMBABWE will use its in­coming chairmanship of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to promote value addition, recycling and cleaner manufacturing across the region, Industry and Commerce min­ister Mangaliso Ndhlovu says. >tinyurl.com/2n2n8yv4

THE government is set to introduce pow­er-sharing agreements and long-term concessions to attract private investment in electricity transmission and distribution in­frastructure, as it seeks to improve supply and reduce power shortages. >tinyurl.com/43pywsna

LITHIUM producers have urged the govern­ment to reduce their tax burden to promote value addition and increase export earnings from the sector. >tinyurl.com/3xd8tffd

FOREIGN-owned businesses that have not regularised and continue operating in re­served sectors will be suspended or have their operating licences revoked, the govern­ment has said. >tinyurl.com/7v9a7fbe

ZIMBABWE’s economy, which has almost quadrupled over the last 10 years from US$17 billion in 2017 to $66 billion this year, now ranks 14th in Africa, latest figures from the Inter­national Monetary Fund show. >tinyurl.com/5dby4epz