Editing Economy of Zimbabwe (section)

==Infrastructure and resources==
===Transportation===
{{See also|Transport in Zimbabwe}}
Zimbabwe's internal transportation and electrical power networks are adequate; nevertheless, maintenance has been ignored for several years. Zimbabwe is crossed by two trans-African automobile routes: the [[Cairo-Cape Town Highway]] and the [[Beira-Lobito Highway]]. Poorly paved highways connect the major urban and industrial areas, while rail lines controlled by the [[National Railways of Zimbabwe]] connect Zimbabwe to a vast central African railroad network that connects it to all of its neighbors.

===Energy===
{{See also|Energy in Zimbabwe}}
The [[Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority]] is responsible for providing the country with electrical energy. Zimbabwe has two larger facilities for the generation of electrical power, the [[Kariba Dam]] (owned together with [[Zambia]]) and since 1983 by large [[Hwange Thermal Power Station]] adjacent to the [[Hwange]] coal field. However, total generation capacity does not meet the demand, leading to [[rolling blackout]]s. The Hwange station is not capable of using its full capacity due to old age and maintenance neglect. In 2006, crumbling infrastructure and lack of spare parts for generators and coal mining lead to Zimbabwe importing 40% of its power, including 100&nbsp;megawatts from the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], 200&nbsp;megawatts from [[Mozambique]], up to 450 from South Africa, and 300&nbsp;megawatts from [[Zambia]].<ref name=c>[http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_1996209,00.html Outages short Zim revival] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001000231/http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_1996209,00.html |date=2007-10-01 }}, October 9, 2006. News24</ref> In May 2010 the country's generation power was an estimated 940MW against a peak demand of 2500MW.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100505173612/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE6420BC20100503] Reuters Africa; May 3, 2010; Zimbabwe, China in $400 mln power plant deal</ref>  Use of local small scale [[Engine-generator|generators]] is widespread.

===Telephone===
New telephone lines used to be difficult to obtain. With [[TelOne Zimbabwe|TelOne]], however, Zimbabwe has only one fixed line service provider.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.africantelecomsnews.com/Operators_Regulators/List_of_African_fixed_and_mobile_telcos_Zimbabwe.html|title=Zimbabwe Mobile Operators & Fixed Network Operators list (Africa mobile and fixed network operators)|website=africantelecomsnews.com|access-date=2018-06-08|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142937/https://www.africantelecomsnews.com/Operators_Regulators/List_of_African_fixed_and_mobile_telcos_Zimbabwe.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telone.co.zw/business/services/our-network|title=Our Network {{!}} Telone|website=telone.co.zw|language=en|access-date=2018-06-08|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142433/https://www.telone.co.zw/business/services/our-network|url-status=live}}</ref> Cellular phone networks are an alternative. Principal mobile phone operators are [[Telecel Zimbabwe|Telecel]], [[Net*One]], and [[Econet Global|Econet]].<ref name=":5" />

===Agriculture===
{{See also|Agriculture in Zimbabwe}}
[[Agriculture]] in Zimbabwe can be divided into two parts: commercial farming of crops such as [[cotton]], [[tobacco]], [[coffee]], [[peanut]]s and various fruits, and subsistence farming with staple crops, such as [[maize]] or [[wheat]].

Commercial farming was almost exclusively in the hands of the white minority until the controversial [[Land reform in Zimbabwe|land redistribution program]] began in 2000. Land in Zimbabwe was forcibly seized from white farmers and redistributed to black settlers, justified by Mugabe on the grounds that it was meant to rectify inequalities left over from colonialism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-farmer/ululations-tears-as-white-zimbabwean-farmer-returns-to-seized-land-idUSKBN1EF2US|title=Ululations, tears as white Zimbabwean farmer returns to seized land|last=Sithole-Matarise|first=Emelia|work=U.S.|access-date=2018-06-08|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035746/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-farmer/ululations-tears-as-white-zimbabwean-farmer-returns-to-seized-land-idUSKBN1EF2US|url-status=live}}</ref>  The new owners did not have land titles, and as such did not have the collateral necessary to access bank loans.<ref name="reuters2016">{{cite news|last1=Mambondiyani|first1=Andrew|title=Bank loans beyond reach for Zimbabwe farmers without land titles|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-landrights-farming-idUSKCN1001R4|work=Reuters|date=20 July 2016|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222925/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-landrights-farming-idUSKCN1001R4|url-status=live}}</ref>  The small-scale farmers also did not have experience with commercial-scale agriculture.

After land redistribution, much of Zimbabwe's land went fallow, and agricultural production decreased steeply.<ref name="telegraph2015">{{cite news|last1=Thornycroft|first1=Peta|title=Zimbabwe to hand back land to some white farmers|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/11737095/Zimbabwe-to-hand-back-land-to-some-white-farmers.html|work=The Telegraph|date=13 July 2015|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025036/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/11737095/Zimbabwe-to-hand-back-land-to-some-white-farmers.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  The University of Zimbabwe estimated in 2008 that between 2000 and 2007 agricultural production decreased by 51%.<ref name="zimbabwesituation.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/mar8_2008.html#Z11 |title=The Zimbabwe Situation |publisher=The Zimbabwe Situation |access-date=2010-05-30 |archive-date=2011-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615091134/http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/mar8_2008.html#Z11 |url-status=live }}</ref>  [[Tobacco in Zimbabwe|Production of tobacco]], Zimbabwe's main export crop, decreased by 79% from 2000 to 2008.<ref name="fao2003">{{cite book|title=Issues in the Global Tobacco Economy|date=2003|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations|chapter=Tobacco in Zimbabwe|chapter-url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/y4997e/y4997e0k.htm|access-date=2016-09-21|archive-date=2016-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917152028/http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/y4997e/y4997e0k.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg2013">{{cite news|last1=Marawanyika|first1=Godfrey|title=Mugabe Makes Zimbabwe's Tobacco Farmers Land Grab Winners|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-03/mugabe-makes-zimbabwe-s-tobacco-farmers-land-grab-winners|work=Bloomberg|date=4 November 2013|access-date=2017-03-06|archive-date=2020-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828083604/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-03/mugabe-makes-zimbabwe-s-tobacco-farmers-land-grab-winners|url-status=live}}</ref>

Tobacco production recovered after 2008 thanks to the contract system of agriculture and growing Chinese demand. International tobacco companies, such as [[British American Tobacco]] and [[China Tobacco]], supplied farmers with agricultural inputs, equipment, and loans, and supervised them in growing tobacco.<ref name="bloomberg2011">{{cite news|last1=Latham|first1=Brian|title=Mugabe's Seized Farms Boost Profits at British American Tobacco|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-11-30/mugabe-s-seized-farms-boost-british-american-tobacco-profits-in-zimbabwe|work=Bloomberg|date=30 November 2011|access-date=2017-03-06|archive-date=2020-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828041113/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-11-30/mugabe-s-seized-farms-boost-british-american-tobacco-profits-in-zimbabwe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="xinhua2016">{{cite news|last1=Machingura|first1=Gretinah|title=Partnering Chinese, Zimbabwe tobacco farmers embark on road to success|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/10/c_135502309.htm|work=Xinhua|date=July 10, 2016|access-date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=July 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711114050/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-07/10/c_135502309.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>  By 2018, tobacco production had recovered to 258 million kg, the second largest crop on record.<ref name="fao2003"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Zimbabwe farmers produce record tobacco crop |url=https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/farming-enviroment/zimbabwe-farmers-produce-record-tobacco-crop/ |work=The Zimbabwe Mail |date=4 September 2019 |language=en |access-date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=24 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124201942/https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/farming-enviroment/zimbabwe-farmers-produce-record-tobacco-crop/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  Instead of large white-owned farms selling mostly to European and American companies, Zimbabwe's tobacco sector now consists of small black-owned farms exporting over half of the crop to China.<ref name="newsday2015">{{cite news|title=China gets lion's share of tobacco exports|url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/05/04/china-gets-lions-share-of-tobacco-exports/|work=NewsDay Zimbabwe|date=4 May 2015|access-date=21 September 2016|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923030846/https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/05/04/china-gets-lions-share-of-tobacco-exports/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Tobacco farming accounted for 11% of Zimbabwe's GDP in 2017, and 3 million of its 16 million people depended on tobacco for their livelihood.<ref name="xinhua2018">{{cite news |title=Zimbabwe's 2018 tobacco production hits all-time high |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/24/c_137345408.htm |work=Xinhua |date=7 July 2018 |access-date=23 October 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814121741/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-07/24/c_137345408.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Land reform has found considerable support in Africa and a few supporters among African-American activists,<ref>{{cite news|title=Farrakhan backs Zimbabwe land grab|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2126648.stm|work=BBC News|date=13 July 2002|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125160819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2126648.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> but [[Jesse Jackson]] commented during a visit to South Africa in June 2006, "Land redistribution has long been a noble goal to achieve but it has to be done in a way that minimises trauma. The process has to attract investors rather than scare them away. What is required in Zimbabwe is democratic rule, democracy is lacking in the country and that is the major cause of this economic meltdown."<ref name=f>[http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jun21_2006.html Jesse Jackson lambastes Mugabe, SA banks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512092106/http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/jun21_2006.html |date=2013-05-12 }}, June 20, 2006. Zimbabwe Situation.</ref>

Zimbabwe produced, in 2018:

* 3,3 million tons of [[sugarcane]];
* 730 thousand tons of [[maize]];
* 256 thousand tons of [[cassava]];
* 191 thousand tons of [[vegetable]];
* 132 thousand tons of [[tobacco]] (6th largest producer in the world);
* 106 thousand tons of [[banana]];
* 96 thousand tons of [[Orange (fruit)|orange]];
* 90 thousand tons of [[soy]];
* 80 thousand tons of [[sorghum]];
* 60 thousand tons of [[potato]];
* 55 thousand tons of [[barley]];
* 42 thousand tons of [[peanut]];
* 38 thousand tons of [[cotton]];

In addition to smaller productions of other agricultural products.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FAOSTAT|url=https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=www.fao.org|archive-date=2022-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106022112/https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Mining sector===
{{main|Mining industry of Zimbabwe}}
As other southern African countries, Zimbabwean soil is rich in [[raw materials]], namely [[platinum]],<ref>[http://www.platinum.matthey.com/production/zimbabwe/ Zimbabwe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126152236/http://www.platinum.matthey.com/production/zimbabwe |date=2020-11-26 }} in Platinum Today, Johnson and Matthey. Accessed 12. Jan 2011.</ref> [[coal]], [[iron ore]], and [[gold]]. Recently, [[diamonds]] have also been found in considerable deposits. [[Copper]], [[chromite]] and [[nickel]] deposits also exist, though in lesser amounts. The [[Marange diamond fields]], discovered in 2006 are thought to be among the richest in the world.

In March 2011, the government of Zimbabwe implemented laws which required local ownership of mining companies; following this news, there were falls in the share prices of companies with mines in Zimbabwe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mining-journal.com/production-and-markets/implats,-aquarius-fall-on-zimbabwe-indigenisation-news|access-date=2011-03-30|publisher=Mining Journal|title=Implats, Aquarius fall on Zimbabwe indigenisation news|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404143420/http://www.mining-journal.com/production-and-markets/implats,-aquarius-fall-on-zimbabwe-indigenisation-news|archive-date=2011-04-04}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Gold production year <ref>[http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/mar8_2008.html#Z11 www.zimbabwesituation.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615091134/http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/mar8_2008.html#Z11 |date=2011-06-15 }} Mar 8, 2008</ref>
! kg
|-
| 1998
| 27,114
|-
| 2007
| 7,017
|-
| 2015
| 18,400<ref name="zim2015gold">{{cite news | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN0S812I20151014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018160909/http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFKCN0S812I20151014 | url-status=dead | archive-date=18 October 2015 | title=Zimbabwe's 2015 gold output seen at highest in 11 years | work=Reuters | date=14 October 2015 | access-date=11 September 2016}}</ref> 
|}

Various NGOs reported that the diamond sector in Zimbabwe is rife with [[corruption in Zimbabwe|corruption]]; a November 2012 report by NGO Reap What You Sow revealed a huge lack of transparency of diamond revenues and asserted that Zimbabwe's elite are benefiting from the country's diamonds.<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201211151002.html
| title = Zimbabwe: Reap What You Sow – Greed and Corruption in Marange Diamond Fields
| year = 2012
| publisher = [[Allafrica.com]]
| location = [[Africa]]
| access-date = 16 November 2012
| archive-date = 18 November 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121118052727/http://allafrica.com/stories/201211151002.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> This followed former South African President [[Thabo Mbeki]]’s warning days earlier that Zimbabwe needed to stop its "predatory elite" from colluding with mining companies for their own benefit.<ref name=ALL>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201211130777.html
| title = Zimbabwe: Mbeki Lectures Zim – Report
| year = 2012
| publisher = [[Allafrica.com]]
| location = [[Africa]]
| access-date = 20 November 2012
| archive-date = 19 November 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121119042214/http://allafrica.com/stories/201211130777.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
Also in that month, the [[Associated Press]] reported that at least $2 billion worth of diamonds had been stolen from Zimbabwe's eastern diamond fields and had enriched Mugabe's ruling circle and various connected gem dealers and criminals.<ref name=ALL />

In January 2013, Zimbabwe's mineral exports totalled $1.8 billion.<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201301280787.html
| title = Zimbabwe: Mineral Exports Net U.S.$1,8 Billion
| year = 2013
| publisher = [[AllAfrica.com]]
| location = [[Africa]]
| access-date = 2013-02-04
| archive-date = 2013-01-31
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130131173246/http://allafrica.com/stories/201301280787.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

As of October 2014, [[Metallon Corporation]] was Zimbabwe's largest gold miner.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-17/biggest-zimbabwe-gold-miner-to-decide-on-london-listing-by-march|title=Terms of Service Violation|website=bloomberg.com|date=17 October 2014 |access-date=31 August 2018|archive-date=2020-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828234550/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-17/biggest-zimbabwe-gold-miner-to-decide-on-london-listing-by-march|url-status=live}}</ref> The group is controlled by its Chairman [[Mzi Khumalo]].

In 2019, the country was the world's 3rd largest producer of [[platinum]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-platinum.pdf |title=USGS Platinum Production Statistics |access-date=2021-04-30 |archive-date=2021-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509143917/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-platinum.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 6th largest world producer of [[lithium]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf |title=USGS Lithium Production Statistics |access-date=2021-04-30 |archive-date=2021-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509143135/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the production of [[gold]], in 2017 the country produced 23.9 tons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/zimbabwe/gold-production |title=Zimbabwe Gold Production |access-date=2021-04-30 |archive-date=2020-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103020354/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/zimbabwe/gold-production |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Education===
The state of [[education in Zimbabwe]] affects the development of the economy while the state of the economy can affect access and quality of teachers and education. Zimbabwe has one of Africa's highest [[literacy]] rates at over 90%.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zimbabwe – Administration and social conditions|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Zimbabwe|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=2021-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307125733/https://www.britannica.com/place/Zimbabwe|url-status=live}}</ref> The crisis since 2000 has, however, diminished these achievements because of a lack of resources and the exodus of teachers and specialists (e.g. doctors, scientists, engineers) to other countries. Also, the start of the new curriculum in primary and secondary sections has affected the state of the once strong education sector.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kanyongo|first=Gibbs Y.|date=2005|title=Zimbabwe's Public Education System Reforms: Successes and Challenges|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ854955.pdf|journal=International Education Journal|volume=6|pages=65–74|access-date=2021-03-03|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613031322/https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ854955.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>