As we look forward to 2023, we must remember where we are coming from. At Startupbiz, we follow business news throughout the year. We do our best to provide insight, explanation and reaction to the stories that rock the business world in a Zimbabwean context. Let’s look at the stories that shaped 2022 in business news in the form of a timeline.

January

03 Finsec talked up private markets https://startupbiz.co.zw/finsec-to-broaden-capital-markets-with-private-markets-in-2022/

05  ZimGold unveiled a waste management initiative https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimgold-unveils-a-waste-management-and-recycling-initiative/

07 ZERA stopped blending https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-zera-fuel-price-review-no-more-blending/

25 Digital products became taxable https://startupbiz.co.zw/digital-products-and-services-now-taxable-in-zimbabwe/

27 Inflation started the year with a marginal decline https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-in-marginal-decline-month-on-month-and-year-on-year-in-january-2022/

February

10 Civil servants received a 20% salary bump plus benefits https://startupbiz.co.zw/civil-servant-salaries-increased-by-20-percent-plus-benefits/

14 The weekly US$50 purchases for the public were revised https://startupbiz.co.zw/weekly-us50-facility-revised/

18 ZOL announced a 10% tax on all internet packages following the digital products tax https://startupbiz.co.zw/zol-announces-10-percent-tax-on-all-internet-packages/

22 ZINARA updated vehicle license and toll gate fees https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-zinara-updates-february-2022-tollgates-and-vehicle-license-fees/

22 The February monetary policy statement was released https://startupbiz.co.zw/key-highlights-from-the-latest-monetary-policy-statement-february-2022/

25 Econet opened the first ever 5g base station in Zimbabwe https://startupbiz.co.zw/econet-opens-the-first-ever-5g-base-station-in-zimbabwe/

25 Inflation confirmed its upward creeping trend https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimstat-february-data-confirms-increasing-inflation-trend/

March

02 ZINARA was embroiled in scandal https://startupbiz.co.zw/fraud-at-zinara-and-plans-for-2022-roads-rehabilitation/

04 We took a look at the evolution of Sasai https://startupbiz.co.zw/exploring-how-the-sasai-platform-has-evolved-over-time/

10 Zimbabweans received a 3rd fuel price increase for the year https://startupbiz.co.zw/price-of-fuel-continues-to-rise-breaking-down-the-how-and-why/

12 ZERA tried to encourage demand management https://startupbiz.co.zw/zera-shares-4-home-energy-saving-tips/

28 Inflation picked up its pace https://startupbiz.co.zw/year-on-year-inflation-accelerates-6-6-in-march-2022/

April

04 Parallel market rates shot to 300 https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimbabwe-parallel-market-rate-shoots-to-300/

05 RBZ swiftly moved to take action https://startupbiz.co.zw/rbz-takes-action-in-the-face-inflation-and-exchange-rate-increases/

07 The ZWL$100 note was announced https://startupbiz.co.zw/si-68a-of-2022-zwl100-note-on-the-way/

08 Econet introduced smart USD bundles https://startupbiz.co.zw/econet-introduces-smart-usd-bundles/

11 Banks were given freedom to trade forex and the quickly devalued the Zimbabwean dollar https://startupbiz.co.zw/banks-massively-devalue-the-zim-dollar-after-being-granted-freedom-to-buy/

11 Ecocash joined the local USD remittance game https://startupbiz.co.zw/ecocash-joins-the-local-usd-remittance-game-with-a-splash/

21 Zimbabweans were given a reprieve to pay 50% of vehicle duty in Zimbabwean dollars https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimbabweans-can-now-pay-50-percent-vehicle-import-duty-in-zim-dollars/

21 RBZ suspended Innbucks, Metbank and Rolink https://startupbiz.co.zw/fresh-from-holidays-rbz-deals-big-blows-to-innbucks-metbank-rolink/

26 One of many fuel price increases during the year https://startupbiz.co.zw/another-zera-upward-fuel-price-review/

27 Inflation firmed its upward trend https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-returns-to-familiar-territory-shoots-on-month-and-year/

May

02 The parallel market rate did not respond to RBZ action and continued to march https://startupbiz.co.zw/parallel-market-rate-continues-surge-despite-government-action/

06 ZUVA rolled out EV charging stations https://startupbiz.co.zw/zuva-rolls-out-electric-vehicle-ev-charging-stations/

09 Measures to restore the economy were announced from the highest office in the land including a bank lending ban https://startupbiz.co.zw/highlights-of-the-presidents-measures-to-restore-confidence/

09 Another fuel price review https://startupbiz.co.zw/zera-marginally-reviews-fuel-prices/

09 Public transport received a shake up https://startupbiz.co.zw/new-public-transport-measures-announced/

10 The ZNCC was among those who questioned the Presidential measures for the economy https://startupbiz.co.zw/zncc-responds-to-recently-announced-measures/

17 Import tariffs and GMB payment terms were reviewed https://startupbiz.co.zw/government-reduces-basic-commodity-import-tariffs-and-changes-gmb-payment-terms/

18 The bank lending ban was reversed 9 days later https://startupbiz.co.zw/bank-lending-ban-lifted/

18 The ethanol blending ratio was doubled https://startupbiz.co.zw/ethanol-blending-in-petrol-to-be-increased-from-10-percent-to-20-percent-from-end-of-may-2022/

19 Lloyd’s Capital launched a regulated crowdfunding platform https://startupbiz.co.zw/lloyds-capital-launches-crowdfunding-platform-in-rbz-regulatory-sandbox/

20 Another fuel price increase https://startupbiz.co.zw/zera-increases-fuel-prices-again-2-weeks-after-previous-review/

20 As ZETDC also reveiwed tariffs https://startupbiz.co.zw/zetdc-reviews-electricity-tariffs-but-something-is-not-clear/

21 Further afield the crypto winter took hold https://startupbiz.co.zw/bloodbath-in-the-crypto-market-as-bitcoin-falls-luna-crashes-to-zero/

23 Fenty Beauty launched in Zimbabwe to much discussion https://startupbiz.co.zw/mixed-feelings-over-rihannas-fenty-beauty-coming-to-zimbabwe/

23 Toll fees were also reviewed https://startupbiz.co.zw/toll-fees-reviewed-effective-23-may-2022/

25 Zimpapers launched ZTN prime on DSTv https://startupbiz.co.zw/ztn-prime-now-available-for-your-viewing-pleasure/

26 Vehicle importing was further complicated for Zimbabweans https://startupbiz.co.zw/used-vehicles-to-now-only-enter-zimbabwe-if-having-an-eaa-certificate-of-conformity-effective-1-june-2022/

26 A cost of living update https://startupbiz.co.zw/cost-of-living-in-zimbabwe-may-2022/

30 Inflation ticked over 100% https://startupbiz.co.zw/alarm-bells-sounded-as-inflation-over-100-in-may-2022/

June

08 The parallel market rate doubled from the year start level https://startupbiz.co.zw/black-market-rate-pushes-beyond-500/

08 As fuel prices rose again https://startupbiz.co.zw/fuel-and-lp-gas-prices-up-again/

10 Zimbabwe was named among top global wedding destinations https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimbabwe-named-top-global-trending-wedding-destination-for-2022/

13 We looked at some key insights from Sivio Institute’s financial Inclusion Survey https://startupbiz.co.zw/takeaways-from-sivio-institute-2022-zimbabwe-financial-inclusion-survey/

15 The parallel market rate showed no signs of slowing down https://startupbiz.co.zw/black-market-rate-touches-600/

16 Cooking Oil industry cried for help amid shortages https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimbabwean-cooking-oil-industry-requests-more-funds-as-shortages-intensify/

17 RBZ announced crowdfunding licences https://startupbiz.co.zw/reserve-bank-of-zimbabwe-rbz-issues-crowdfunding-licenses/

20 Zinara reviewed toll fees again https://startupbiz.co.zw/zinara-reviews-vehicle-licensing-and-toll-fees-effective-17-june-2022/

28 More measures were announced to slow inflation and exchange rate https://startupbiz.co.zw/minister-of-finance-presents-concrete-measures/

29 Fuel prices reached unbearable levels https://startupbiz.co.zw/fuel-prices-edging-towards-us2-in-zimbabwe/

29 Civil service salaries were reviewed https://startupbiz.co.zw/at-look-at-the-recently-announced-civil-service-salaries-framework/

July

04 Parallel market rate responded to measures by surging further https://startupbiz.co.zw/black-market-rate-reaches-700-as-new-measures-revealed/

05 The first batch of Gold coins were announced https://startupbiz.co.zw/gold-coins-coming-on-the-25th-of-july/

11 We pondered whether a currency board was the answer for Zimbabwe https://startupbiz.co.zw/is-a-currency-board-the-answer-for-zimbabwe/

13 ZESA was given the greelight to charge in forex, sort of https://startupbiz.co.zw/zesa-given-the-forex-greenlight-with-conditions/

14 As dollarisation took root in the economy https://startupbiz.co.zw/dollarisation-defiantly-taking-root-in-zimbabwe-some-products-now-being-sold-only-in-us-dollars/

15 Numbeo Cost of living index rated Harare as 3rd most expensive city in Africa https://startupbiz.co.zw/harare-3rd-most-expensive-city-in-africa-on-the-numbeo-cost-of-living-index/

18 Another fuel price review https://startupbiz.co.zw/a-look-at-the-latest-fuel-prices-july-2022/

18 Pension defaulting employers were named https://startupbiz.co.zw/zimbabwean-employers-defaulting-on-pension-contributions-named-zimra-is-one-of-them/

18 Bothe Econet and NetOne reviewed tariffs https://startupbiz.co.zw/econet-and-netone-review-tariffs-july-2022/

20 As details of gold coins emerged the questions mounted https://startupbiz.co.zw/gold-coins-lose-glitter-as-more-details-emerge/

25 The ambitious Zim Cyber City project was launched https://startupbiz.co.zw/zim-cyber-city-project-has-been-unveiled/

26 Delta Corporation picked up company of the year at the top companies survey https://startupbiz.co.zw/top-companies-survey-2022-winners-delta-corporation-company-of-the-year/

28 preliminary census results were released https://startupbiz.co.zw/2022-population-and-housing-census-preliminary-results-key-highlights/

29 The 2022 budget was doubled to meet expenses https://startupbiz.co.zw/government-to-double-budget-for-2022/

August

01 Inflation peaked at 256% https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-clocks-256-year-on-year/

02 A fuel price review that left motorists no better https://startupbiz.co.zw/fuel-prices-significantly-go-down-but-only-on-paper-here-is-why/

02 NetOne reviewed prices https://startupbiz.co.zw/netone-finally-reviews-voice-data-sms-and-vas-bundle-prices-effective-from-29-july-2022/

05 Fuel and toll gate fees were reviewed again https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-price-reviews-fuel-and-toll-gate-fees/

12 RBZ promised smaller gold and CBDC white paper https://startupbiz.co.zw/rbz-promises-smaller-gold-coins-cbdc-white-paper-and-more/

16 Innbucks came back after 4 months off https://startupbiz.co.zw/4-months-later-innbucks-is-back/

18 Zimbabweans breathed a sigh of relief as the face mask mandate was eased after 18 months https://startupbiz.co.zw/face-mask-mandate-partially-eased-but-with-some-questionable-contradictions/

23 The parallel market rate finally responded to measures https://startupbiz.co.zw/parallel-market-rates-bow-to-pressure/

26 Year on year inflation started to show signs of slowing down https://startupbiz.co.zw/year-on-year-inflation-up-but-theres-good-news/

30 Zimbabweans adapted to conditions as Runner shops took Harare by storm https://startupbiz.co.zw/runner-shops-take-harare-by-storm/

September

02 Fuel, toll gates and ZUPCO all got price reviews https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-price-updates-fuel-tollgate-fees-zupco-fares-as-at-1-september-2022/

09 NetOne hiked tariffs again https://startupbiz.co.zw/netone-hikes-data-price-by-over-100-percent-in-zimbabwe-dollars/

15 Econet launched a pension fund for informal sector workers https://startupbiz.co.zw/econet-life-launches-innovative-pension-fund/

15 A civil servants salary review was met by price hikes https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-september-2022-updates-civil-servants-netone-zinara-zera/

27 Inflation started to slow down https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-slows-marginally-to-280-4-in-september/

30 ZESA joined the price hike party https://startupbiz.co.zw/zesa-hikes-tariffs-whilst-the-power-situation-worsens-in-zimbabwe/

30 The auction stirred more controversy as firms failed to account for allocations https://startupbiz.co.zw/top-zimbabwean-banks-and-firms-penalized-for-failing-to-account-for-rbz-auction-allocations/

October

06 ZESA was forced to speak on electricity shortages https://startupbiz.co.zw/zesa-speaks-on-the-current-frequent-load-shedding/

17 University tuition joined ZERA and ZINARA in the price hike parade https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-price-updates-zera-zinara-university-tuitions-refusing-refunds-or-returns-now-attracts-5-year-jail-term-october-2022/

18 HIT confirmed working on the Zim CBDC https://startupbiz.co.zw/hit-working-on-zimbabwean-central-bank-digital-currency-cbdc/

24 South of the Limpopo Cryptocurrency was brought into the fold https://startupbiz.co.zw/south-africa-declares-cryptocurrencies-as-financial-products-could-zimbabwe-be-next/

24 Zimbabwe’s telemedicine received a timely review https://startupbiz.co.zw/key-takeaways-from-the-recently-reviewed-mdpcz-policy-on-telemedicine/

27 Inflation slowed down further https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-slows-month-on-month-and-year-on-year-in-october/

November

07 PORTRAZ licensed the first Zimbabwean MVNO Dolphin https://startupbiz.co.zw/fourth-mobile-telecoms-network-has-been-licensed-in-zimbabwe/

08 There were quite a few developments in NFTs https://startupbiz.co.zw/latest-developments-in-the-nft-world/

10 Smaller gold coins were announced https://startupbiz.co.zw/smaller-gold-coins-coming-15th-november/

11 Government contractors were blacklisted for parallel market activity https://startupbiz.co.zw/goverment-contractors-blacklisted-for-channelling-funds-to-the-parallel-market/

21 The FIFA World Cup took the world by storm https://startupbiz.co.zw/why-hosting-fifa-world-cups-is-a-big-deal/

22 VFEX released the CFD (forex trading) rules https://startupbiz.co.zw/breaking-down-the-vfex-cfd-rules/

25 The president delivered a State of the Nation address https://startupbiz.co.zw/business-highlights-from-the-zimbabwe-sona-2022/

25 Join City pondered 24 hour operations https://startupbiz.co.zw/joina-city-management-encourages-tenants-to-consider-opening-24-hours-a-day/

28 The 2023 National Budget was announced https://startupbiz.co.zw/2023-national-budget-highlights/

29 Inflation slowed down further https://startupbiz.co.zw/inflation-slows-further-in-november/

December

05 Zimbabwe electricty woes deepened https://startupbiz.co.zw/the-worsening-electricity-situation-in-zimbabwe/

09 The RBZ collateral registry was unveiled https://startupbiz.co.zw/what-is-the-rbzs-collateral-registry-all-about/

09 We took a look at the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2 https://startupbiz.co.zw/some-highlights-from-the-national-financial-inclusion-strategy-2/

12 WhatsApp Business introduced ordering via WhatsApp https://startupbiz.co.zw/whatsapp-business-now-includes-ordering-and-other-integrations/

Another rollercoaster year in Zimbabwe. For those who like to keep count, there were 12 fuel price increases, one fuel price reduction, 6 telecommunications increases, 3 electricity price increases and 6 related to roads and toll gates. From the team at Startupbiz, we wish you happy holidays, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.