ZFN FRIDAY DRINKS

Tinashe and Ranga unpack fuel price increases, Zimbabwe’s fuel reserves, the impact of rising costs, and how policy is shaping investor confidence. This episode is sponsored by O'mari Zimbabwe. Fuel prices in Zimbabwe have gone up again, just three months into 2026. But authorities say the country still has over three months of fuel in reserve. So why are prices rising, and what does this mean for businesses and ordinary households? This episode is sponsored by O'mari Zimbabwe. Tinashe and Ranga also look at what other countries are doing with fuel taxes and reserves, and ask whether Zimbabwe is using its high gold prices and resource base to cushion the economy. We break down the latest fuel shock, imports, policy changes, and what all this tells us about Zimbabwe’s economic direction in 2026. We also look at the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war happening now, and discuss how global conflicts are pushing up fuel prices and adding more risk to Zimbabwe’s economy.

Join Tinashe as he sits down with Zimbabwe's rugby star turned NFL player TJ Maguranyanga – the second Zimbabwean ever to play in America's premier football league. At just 22, TJ shares his incredible transition from excelling in rugby and the Africa Men's Sevens to signing an NFL contract. Also featuring Paddy Zhanda Jr. from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) interim management committee. This episode is sponsored by Delta Corporation - Share a Coke and join the conversation. Sport in Zimbabwean primary schools & the power of parental support. TJ's sporting scholarship at Falcon College & balancing academics and athletics. Why Zimbabwe urgently needs a High-Performance Center. Rugby evolution into a technical game and need for financial backing. Consistency, mental health, and thriving as an elite athlete. NFL professionalism and lessons for young African talents.

Join Tinashe and Rufaro with aviation pioneer Captain Obet Mazinyi, with over 40 years of global flying experience. Captain Obet’s journey training in Zambia, then training at the British Airways School in the UK. Post-independence Air Zimbabwe: Needing 1,000 hours to join a mostly white airline, profitable Harare-London routes, and why Zimbabwe became a major aviation hub as the world opened up. This episode is sponsored by O'mari Zimbabwe. Judgment in aviation: Turning hours, experience, and expertise into safe decisions under pressure. Captain Obet's timeless wisdom: "In aviation, the more secrets you keep, the more you endanger others. The more you share, the more advice you give and the safer everyone stays."

🏠 Exploring the realities of Zimbabwe’s real estate and property investment markets, including the challenges and opportunities for both middle- and low-income earners.

👨‍⚖️ Insights into city governance with the analogy that “City Fathers” have failed to live up to their responsibilities.

🏢 The concept of decentralizing urban planning—encouraging local communities like Budiriro, Chitungwiza, and Borrowdale to shape their development and solutions.

🏘 Social housing: Harare City Council’s goal of delivering 50,000 affordable housing units— Is it doable or just a pipe dream?

🏦 "Mattress banking" refers to the habit of keeping savings at home due to mistrust in formal banks. "Mattress bank” earns zero interest. In contrast, investing in property and real estate offers more stability and potential for growth.

Insights on NicozDiamond Insurance journey, transformation, and future outlook in Zimbabwe and the region. Reinsurance in Zimbabwe: Local reinsurers play a vital role in managing insurer risk. Art and personal items insurance: Spectacles and personal items like glasses can be insured. Small claims (e.g., glasses) can be settled within 24 hours at NicozDiamond. Education and skills challenge: Half-hearted commitment from some graduates and lack of practical training affect industry quality. The informal sector is a target for growth, with insurers developing products (micro/macro insurance) to include more Zimbabweans in insurance coverage. Funny and fraudulent claims: Unique cases like “dog biting car tires” highlight the need for AI-based fraud detection. AI is transforming the industry by flagging fake claims and improving efficiency.

📊 Budget shows projected 6% GDP growth, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and mining. Despite positive figures, no meaningful policy shift from the previous budget—missed opportunity. 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe’s economy remains 76% informal—a major structural weakness

🏭 Manufacturing is now the largest formal sector contributor (15% of GDP)

📈 Treasury Bills (TBs) remain unpaid, raising questions about government credibility.

⚡Power constraints remain a serious threat to productivity in industry and mining

⚠️The numbers look good on paper, but the real economy tells a different story

Misalignment between the Central Bank and Treasury. Without coordinated fiscal and monetary policy, confidence in the economy remains fragile. Central Bank says they're not printing ZiG while Treasury claims discipline and strong collections. But is the market buying it? Debate around the ZiG currency—its gold backing, official exchange rate of 1:26, and why that rate may not reflect reality. Growing trust deficit—not just among exporters and consumers, but even among banks and regulators. Silence from exporters: Why aren’t they speaking out about delayed ZiG payments owed to them by the government? Competition is good. The biggest beneficiary of competition between Starlink, SmartBiz, and Econet in Zimbabwe’s internet market is the consumer.

"Welcome to Friday Drinks! 🍷 This week, Dziya (Ranga Makwata) and Mukanya (Tinashe Murapata) hold it down while Shumba (Rufaro G Zengeni) battles the flu. We dive deep into:

🔥 ZESA’s $10 Billion Power Crisis – Can Zimbabwe end blackouts?

🔥 Leadership Failures – From village Sabukus to national corruption

🔥 Diaspora Divide – Why UK Zimbabweans invest more than SA-based ones

🔥 Entrepreneurs vs Tenderpreneurs – Who’s REALLY building Zimbabwe?

🔥 Health & Winter Colds – Ginger, lemon & whiskey remedies! Join the debate!

👇 Comment your thoughts: Should Zimbabwe dollarize electricity? Can diasporans fix Zim’s economy? Is village mentality holding Zimbabwe back? Like, Share & Subscribe for raw, unfiltered discussions every Friday!

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they unpack the week’s biggest economic stories - Econet’s delisting from the ZSE, ban on lithium and raw mineral exports, and the latest monetary policy moves—including the shift toward a mono‑currency, the 35% policy rate, and the push for the market to set the exchange rate. This episode is sponsored by Delta Corporation - 'Share a Coke' - and join the conversation. Econet’s delisting from the ZSE and what it means for investors and the capital market. Tinashe, Rufaro and Rufaro analyse the government’s ban on lithium and all raw mineral exports, including the impact on miners and global supply chains. The latest monetary policy: the good and the bad. The shift toward a mono‑currency, the 35% policy rate. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Friday Drinks for weekly in‑depth analysis of Zimbabwe’s business and economy.

Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss key topics shaping today’s world. We take a deep dive into beneficiation and the importance of accessing the right markets. Zimbabwe’s agricultural potential: fertile soils for tobacco farming and emerging opportunities in medical cannabis cultivation. Zimbabwe tea used in blending and exported worldwide. Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) makes a strong move by expanding into South Africa with a US$5.6 million purchase of a property in Cape Town’s CBD. RTG needs focused strategy and flawless delivery to succeed. Explore updates and changes at the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) Ranga gives expert tips on maximizing AI benefits and using AI to generate analyst and economic reports. And how to avoid common pitfalls in analyst reporting. Learn how to effectively work with AI tools and understand their limitations. lnsightful geopolitical discussion on Russia-Ukraine peace talks and the Alaska meeting. Plus, a fun historical fact from Rufaro: Russia sold Alaska to the US in 1867 for $7.2 million — less than 2 cents an acre.