Dear friends,

This has been another week of action in the new Zimbabwe, and as it comes to a close, we can look back with gratitude and humility at the progress we are making.

We are beginning to see the fruits of our toil. NKC African Economics, a globally recognised economic research firm, upgraded our country’s sovereign credit rating for the first time in twenty years, sending a clear message to investors that investments in Zimbabwe are safe.

Closer to home, we cut student tuition fees by 40%, which following on from our creation of a $1 billion student loan facility, will bring relief and support for our talented youth. We also announced plans to give greater powers to provincial authorities to draw up their own budgets and evaluate their own economic output, an important measure that will enable the provincial leadership to better deliver for local communities.

This week also saw the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who came to assure us of his nation’s commitment to the new Zimbabwe. Following our meeting, agreements were signed which will help us to modernise our agriculture, bring about closer cooperation in industrial development and create a Special Economic Zone here in Zimbabwe.

Alongside action, this has also been a week of listening. I had the honour to meet and hear from our youth, our business leaders, captains of industry, students and our church leadership. I cherish these opportunities to listen and learn from the people of Zimbabwe, of all ages and backgrounds. Only through dialogue will we create the conditions for true growth and prosperity.

May you all have a blessed weekend.