Zimbabwe's government faces intensifying pressure to center its 2026 budget around poverty reduction and fiscal transparency following a pre-budget consultation in Bulawayo that assembled legislators, economists and community advocates. National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda criticized persistent mismatches between parliamentary funding authorizations and actual treasury payments, warning these discrepancies undermine constitutional oversight and delay essential services across health, education and agriculture ministries. Participants demanded expanded social safety nets for elderly citizens and disabled populations, alongside improved compensation for civil servants to address workforce attrition.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube proposed reducing intermediated money transfer taxes while raising value-added levies to balance revenue requirements. Agricultural representatives pressed for prompt payments from state grain buyers and cotton marketers, plus irrigation infrastructure supporting two nutrition gardens per electoral ward. Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi advocated pricing reforms to boost domestic travel accessibility.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube proposed reducing intermediated money transfer taxes while raising value-added levies to balance revenue requirements. Agricultural representatives pressed for prompt payments from state grain buyers and cotton marketers, plus irrigation infrastructure supporting two nutrition gardens per electoral ward. Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi advocated pricing reforms to boost domestic travel accessibility.
