HARARE — Zimbabwe has an opportunity to build stronger long-term economic growth and expand formal employment after recent improvements in macroeconomic stability, according to a new World Bank Group assessment released this week.

The World Bank said Zimbabwe could use the progress made in stabilizing its economy as a foundation for broader reforms aimed at increasing investment, productivity and employment. The assessment projects that the country could create about 230,000 additional formal jobs by 2040 if it succeeds in sustaining economic reforms and strengthening the conditions for private-sector growth.

The message comes at an important stage for Zimbabwe, where improving economic stability remains closely linked to the country’s ability to generate more productive employment and broaden opportunities for households.

According to the World Bank, maintaining macroeconomic discipline alone will not be enough. Zimbabwe will also need to address structural barriers that limit business expansion and investment while creating an environment in which companies can contribute more strongly to employment generation.

The institution’s latest assessment highlights the importance of converting recent stabilization gains into durable economic momentum. A stronger private sector, improved productivity and policies capable of supporting investment could play an important role in expanding formal employment over the coming years.

The World Bank’s assessment was published in Harare on September 4, making it the institution’s latest major country-focused press release available before September 6.

The development also comes as the World Bank continues to update its financial and development databases. Its Finances One platform recorded fresh updates on September 6, including information related to current International Bank for Reconstruction and Development lending, with the latest lending snapshot covering data through August 31, 2026.

The World Bank is also highlighting artificial intelligence as a potential development opportunity for poorer economies in its 2026 World Development Report, which argues that AI could provide developing countries with new routes toward higher productivity and prosperity.

For Zimbabwe, however, the immediate challenge remains translating economic stabilization into tangible improvements in employment and living standards. The World Bank’s latest assessment indicates that sustained reforms and stronger economic foundations could help the country move toward a more productive and job-rich growth model over the next decade.