Once one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prosperous and promising states, Zimbabwe has endured a traumatic decade, socially and economically, under a government led by President Robert Mugabe since its independence from the United Kingdom in 1980. Formerly the envy of its neighbours for its abundant mineral deposits, thriving agricultural sector, and one of the continent’s most skilled and educated workforces, Zimbabwe has since become politically unstable and an economic disappointment of unprecedented proportions. The current economic situation is dire. As Zimbabwe emerges from a decade marked by economic mismanagement, political violence and international isolation, the national government faces enormous challenges.
This book paints a picture of Zimbabwe’s descent into economic and political turmoil, and lays out the way forward to resuscitate the nation. It brings together a variety of perspectives from some of southern Africa’s leading academics and practitioners, looking at issues of peace building and good governance, economic recovery and development, and foreign direct investment and reconstruction.
This book results from a workshop, co-sponsored by CIGI, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Development Enterprise African Trust (DEAT), on efforts by regional and international actors to curb economic, political, and social deterioration in Zimbabwe. The one-and-a-half day workshop engaged experts from and on the region to advise on the way forward for Zimbabwe, including the conditions necessary to initiate stakeholders in reconstruction, development efforts, and good governance practices. A strong emphasis was on private sector efforts and donor mobilization strategies required to initiate a sustainable recovery effort for Zimbabwe.
Contributors to this volume include Hany Besada, Knox Chitiyo, Dianna Games, Steven Gruzd, Adam Habib, Holger Bernt Hansen, Prosper Kambarami, George Katito, Jason LaChappelle, Albert Makochekanwa, Helen Moatshe, David Moore, Sam Moyo, Sanusha Naidu, Simon Pazvakavambwa, John Robertson, Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Karolina Werner and Siphamandla Zondi.
Published by Palgrave Macmillan in cooperation with CIGI.
Purchase this book here.
Related publications:
Picking Up the Pieces of Zimbabwe's Economy
Nicky Moyo and Hany Besada
CIGI Technical Paper #5
The Environment and Corporate Governance in Zimbabwe
Karolina Werner and Hany Besada
CIGI Policy Brief #19
