As the sun set on Zimbabwe’s Parliament today, Finance Minister Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube unveiled the 2025 National Budget under the theme “Building Resilience for Sustained Economic Transformation.”
On paper, it is packed with promises to tackle poverty, boost social protections, and stabilise the economy.
But for millions of ordinary Zimbabweans battling to make ends meet, the burning question remains: will this budget translate into better lives for the poor, or is it just another glossy document that fails to deliver?
Let us dig deeper into what this budget means for the impoverished and how it stacks up against last year’s budget, as well as those in neighbouring and global economies.
What’s in the 2025 Budget for the Poor?
Minister Ncube’s speech painted a hopeful picture: grain subsidies, expanded education programs, healthcare investment, and rural infrastructure were all highlighted.
But as always, the devil is in the details and in Zimbabwe, it is also in the execution.
Here are the major promises for the underprivileged:
Social Safety Nets:
The budget allocates ZWL$176 billion to social protection programs.
This includes the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), set to cover 1.8 million vulnerable children, and the continuation of grain distribution to rural households.
The government also promises to extend cash transfer programs to 500,000 households.
Health and Education:
Increased funding for clinics and hospitals, alongside free primary education initiatives, aims to bridge gaps in rural areas.
However, given Zimbabwe’s historical struggles with dilapidated health facilities and overburdened schools, questions linger on how these funds will translate into real impact.
Climate-Smart Agriculture:
With Zimbabwe’s agricultural backbone shaken by this year’s drought, the budget prioritises irrigation schemes, subsidided seeds, and fertilizer for smallholder farmers.
This is vital for rural livelihoods but heavily dependent on consistent rain and efficient distribution systems.
Decentralisation for Grassroots Growth:
In line with devolution goals, ZWL$229 billion is allocated for provincial and local councils to tackle localised poverty and implement development projects.
Yet, poor oversight in previous years has left many wondering if this will trickle down or vanish in bureaucratic inefficiency.
Did the 2024 Budget Deliver for the Poor?
Looking back, the 2024 budget also made sweeping promises, yet many Zimbabweans felt left behind.
Here is a reality check:
Food Security Crisis:
The government’s grain distribution fell short of demand.
As drought ravaged crops, food inflation skyrocketed, leaving millions in rural areas unable to afford basics like maize meal.
Healthcare in Shambles:
Despite a budget increase, healthcare facilities struggled with staff shortages and drug unavailability.
Patients were often told to bring their own medicines or wait endlessly for care.
Education Gaps:
BEAM funds were delayed in reaching schools, leaving many children unable to attend class.
Free education remained more of a campaign promise than a policy reality.
While inflation stabilisation efforts and the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency offered some economic reprieve, the gains largely benefited urban elites.
Rural households, which make up the bulk of Zimbabwe’s poor, were left clutching at straws.
How Does Zimbabwe Compare Regionally?
Zimbabwe is not alone in its fight against poverty; neighboring nations have similar challenges.
But how do they allocate their budgets to support the poor?
South Africa:
South Africa’s social protection system is miles ahead, with programs like the Social Relief of Distress grant reaching millions of citizens monthly.
Child support grants are also a lifeline for vulnerable households.
Zimbabwe’s social safety nets, by comparison, are modest and inconsistently delivered.
Zambia:
Zambia’s 2025 budget leans heavily into farming subsidies for rural communities, targeting increased maize production and food security.
While Zimbabwe also prioritises agriculture, Zambia’s model of distributing inputs through direct farmer cooperatives is often cited as more effective.
Malawi:
Despite being one of the region’s poorest nations, Malawi outshines Zimbabwe in universal primary education, with better funding and less corruption in disbursements.
Zimbabwe’s Achilles’ heel remains its low social spending relative to GDP, compounded by a ballooning public debt that siphons funds away from social programs.
International Standards
Globally, countries with high poverty rates are finding innovative ways to support their vulnerable populations.
Zimbabwe’s approach—heavy on subsidies and infrastructure is necessary but lacks some of the more modern mechanisms seen internationally:
Brazil’s Bolsa Família Program:
Direct cash transfers tied to school attendance and healthcare visits have lifted millions out of poverty.
Zimbabwe’s fragmented cash transfer programs do not yet reach the same scale or impact.
India’s Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme:
Offering 100 days of guaranteed work per year to rural households, this program has boosted livelihoods and infrastructure.
Zimbabwe’s heavy reliance on agricultural recovery could benefit from a similar employment-driven approach.
The Challenges Standing in the Way
For all the bold promises, Zimbabwe’s poor face several hurdles that could undermine this budget’s impact:
Inflation and Currency Volatility:
The introduction of the ZiG brought temporary stability, but exchange rate shocks in late 2024 reignited inflation fears.
With salaries failing to keep up with prices, the poor are unlikely to feel the effects of increased spending.
Corruption and Mismanagement:
Devolution funds and social safety nets risk being diverted by corruption, a recurring problem in Zimbabwe’s public sector.
Past audits have revealed massive irregularities in how funds for the poor were allocated.
Global Economic Headwinds:
As commodity prices dip and geopolitical tensions drive up import costs, Zimbabwe’s reliance on mining and agriculture exposes it to significant external risks.
Will This Budget Change Lives?
The 2025 National Budget offers glimmers of hope but stops short of being revolutionary.
It is clear the government understands the struggles of the poor, but translating policy into practice has always been Zimbabwe’s Achilles’ heel.
If implemented effectively, rural households could see improved food security, healthcare, and education access.
If funds are mismanaged, this budget will join a long list of missed opportunities.
For the poor, it is not just about big numbers and high-profile announcements.
It is about waking up one day and finding that their lives have changed—affordable school fees, stocked clinics, regular food aid, and meaningful job opportunities.
Whether the 2025 budget can deliver this remains to be seen.
Beyond the Rhetoric
Budgets are a nation’s blueprint for change, but for Zimbabwe’s poor, the proof is always in the delivery.
As 2025 unfolds, all eyes will be on the government to ensure promises do not remain ink on paper.
After all, resilience is built not just by weathering storms but by ensuring the most vulnerable have the tools to thrive.
In the end, will this budget empower Zimbabwe’s poor—or leave them trapped in the same cycle of struggle? Only time will tell.