The World Bank opened a Zimbabwe office in 1980 with a core staff of five. In the following two decades, a program spanning the sectors dealing with the development of agriculture, health, education, social protection, private sector, transport, and energy among others.  When Zimbabwe faced economic difficulties in 2000, the country went into non-accrual status, but the Bank maintained its presence in Zimbabwe in order to maintain a reasonable level of dialogue.

This dialogue has been limited to studies and advice until the issue of debt to the World Bank (more than US$1.2 billion, of which US$750 million is arrears) has been addressed.  This work has focused on macro-economic policy, food security/agrarian sector, social sector expenditures and delivery, infrastructure assessment, and HIV/AIDS program support.

An Analytical Multi-Donor Trust Fund (A-MDTF), which the Bank administers, has been set up with contributions from over ten donors to support knowledge-generation on the key development challenges facing Zimbabwe.

The A-MDTF will develop suitable instruments that can enable the Government of Zimbabwe and donors tackle the country’s development problems when full re-engagement occurs.

Resumption of World Bank lending will depend on arrears clearance and a Government commitment to a sound economic recovery program. The next phase of the A-MDTF will finance studies and generate policy advice in the areas of economics; governance and anti-corruption; agrarian reforms; and infrastructure.  This work challenges the World Bank to find ways of making knowledge and related products available to Government in a way that supports the road to economic recovery, improved livelihoods of the citizens, and strengthened Governance with greater accountability.

We welcome you to our website and encourage you to give us feedback on how we can help serve you better as we strive to deliver lasting development results to the people of Zimbabwe.

Mungai Lenneiye, World Bank Zimbabwe Country Manager