Published: 2 hours ago

Zimbabwe has created close to half a million jobs over the past two years, with official data showing strong growth in formal employment and business activity, according to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

The figures indicate that 238 000 new jobs were registered in 2025 alone, up from 226 000 in 2024, bringing the cumulative total to 464 000 new jobs over the two-year period.

The data, released by National Social Security Authority, also shows a rise in the number of registered employers from 4 600 to 5 500, representing a 15 percent increase and signalling expanding business activity across sectors.

NSSA chief executive officer Charles Shava said the figures reflect growing economic momentum and increased participation in the formal economy.

"The increase in registered employers and new employments is a positive indicator for the economy," he said, adding that it also strengthens social protection coverage as more workers join the pension system.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), formal employment includes individuals working more than 30 hours per week for registered employers in both the public and private sectors.

The data further shows that active employees under NSSA rose from 1.36 million in 2024 to 1.39 million in 2025, while total registered employees increased to 3.9 million.

Economists say the expansion in formal jobs is likely to boost household incomes, increase consumer spending and improve government revenue collections.

The job growth comes amid broader economic reforms and investment-driven expansion under the Second Republic, with government focusing on industrialisation, infrastructure development and investment promotion.

Large-scale public projects in sectors such as mining, construction, transport and energy have contributed significantly to employment creation, both directly and indirectly.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently urged employers to avoid casualisation of labour, stressing the need for decent and secure jobs in line with labour laws.

International observers have also noted improvements in economic performance, with the International Monetary Fund projecting around 6 percent growth, driven by mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

Key sectors such as gold, lithium, agriculture and manufacturing continue to anchor job creation, while reforms aimed at formalising the informal sector are expected to further broaden employment coverage.

Government has approved new policy frameworks, including the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP2) 2026–2030 and the National Formalisation Strategy, aimed at integrating informal businesses into the formal economy.

Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said industrial recovery is already translating into job creation, citing firms such as Paramount Garments operating at high capacity and employing young workers.

As capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector rises and investment flows into key industries, the latest employment figures are being viewed as a sign of strengthening economic activity and gradual formal sector expansion.
- the herald

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