ZFN FRIDAY DRINKS
ZFN Capital Friday Drinks brings together Zimbabwe's sharpest economist and stockbrokers to break down the week's business and capital market trends. We dive deep into economic analysis, unpacking what's really driving Zimbabwe's economy, and investment landscape. Each episode features lively debates on business strategies, market performance, and policy impacts-giving you clear, smart insights to stay ahead in a complex market. Pull up a chair and join the conversation that is as rich in content as the conversations are engaging.
Episodes
TJ Maguranyanga: From Rugby to NFL: Building Elite Athletes |Friday Drinks
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 epis
Captain Obet Mazinyi: Aviation, Mentoring the Next Generation of Pilots | Friday Drinks
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.
Real Estate, Property Investment & Decentralized Planning | Harare Urban Renewal with Kura Chihota.
🏠 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
Insuring the Future: 60 Years of NicozDiamond with David Nyabadza. - Friday Drinks
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-
Midterm Budget Review (2025): The Stats Look Good, But What’s the Real Economic Story?
📊 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 gover
Econet v Starlink; RBZ MPS _Friday Drinks
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. Grow
ZESA Crisis Exposed: Can Zimbabwe Fix Its Power Problems?_Friday Drinks
"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 Tende
Econet Delisting, Lithium Export Ban & Monetary Policy | Friday Drinks
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 convers
Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026: What It Means for Business | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro for an unfiltered discussion on Zimbabwe's draft Constitutional Amendment Bill. They dive deep into the geopolitics of presidential term extensions, unpack political and institutional risks, and question if Parliament is strong enough to hold power accountable. From frequent regulatory changes scaring investors away, to Zimbabwe's untapped commodity riches, to our c
Cde Fatso on Creative Hubs, Comedy & Real Democracy | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Ranga live in studio with special guest Cde Fatso as they unpack innovation, startups, creative hubs like Moto Republik and Magamba Network, and using comedy and satire as tools for innovation. From GDP growth that doesn't reach ordinary Zimbabweans, to calls for real direct democracy over "socialism for the rich and austerity for the poor," says Cde Fatso this raw conversation qu
Econet Delists from ZSE: VFEX Listing, OTC Trading, and Zimbabwe's Mineral Boom | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, Rufaro and Fincent Capital independent financial advisors for the Econet delisting from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and InfraCo listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX). We break down why undervaluation, overregulation, local currency risks, and policy uncertainty are driving companies away from ZSE—plus what Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading means post-delisting
Pension Funds Crisis, Capital Markets, ZiG Inflation, Gold Bugs vs Skeptics | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they discuss the pension funds crisis, capital markets pressures, ZiG inflation hitting single digits, and gold bugs vs skeptics. This episode is sponsored by Delta Corporation - 'Share a Coke' and join the conversation. Over 50% of Zimbabwe's pension funds faced dissolution last year – what's really happening in the industry that never recovered from 2008 hyperin
Making Zimbabwe Great Again: Retain Zim Talent | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro for an insightful discussion on making Zimbabwe great and making Zimbabwe work. Drawing from Carl Jung's wisdom on life's first half (socialization and ego-building) versus the second (self-actualization) and Tinashe's take on how we can make Zimbabwe work, retain and absorb our talent and graduates at home, so migration abroad isn't the only path, we explore career
Repeal of ZDERA and ZEP Legal Battles with Advocate Simba Chitando | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro with Advocate Simba Chitando unpacking ZDERA and the legal challenges around Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP). Advocate Simba Chitando discusses his pro bono work with undocumented migrants in South Africa. Activism and advocacy are core to Chitando's fight for migrant rights. This episode challenges borders, sanctions, and what makes the law legitimate. "What makes law, la
Geopolitical Risks and Zimbabwe's 2026 Outlook | Friday Drinks
Welcome to the first Friday Drinks episode of 2026 with Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro where we dive into the escalating geopolitical risks putting state sovereignty back on the global agenda. Zimbabweans overtaxed, debates on writing off Treasury Bills and sovereign debt, we unpack Zimbabwe's budget battles amid "pockets of hope" as Ranga puts it. This episode is sponsored by O'mari Zimbabwe..
Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga: 2026 National Budget Analysis | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro in an exclusive conversation with Permanent Secretary Mr. George Guvamatanga - Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. Dive into hot topics like the newly proposed gold royalties—where Zimbabwe risked the highest rates in Africa, prompting a promised revisit and miner-friendly adjustments. This insightful episode is proudly sponsored by Delta Cor
Zimbabwe's 2026 Budget Review: With Professor Gift Mugano - Friday Drinks
Insightful review of Zimbabwe’s 2026 national budget with Tinashe and Ranga joined by Prof Gift Mugano. This episode is sponsored by Delta Corporation. 'Share a Coke' and join the conversation. Examination of Zimbabwe’s rebased nominal GDP of $52 billion and why it does not reflect real growth or poverty reduction. Analysis of $1.7 billion accumulated expenditure arrears impacting government contr
The significance of the Dangote Group visit to Zimbabwe's investment drive - Friday Drinks
Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro dive into the significance of the Dangote Group’s visit to Zimbabwe. Discover what this means for the country’s business landscape and future opportunities. This episode is sponsored by Delta Corporation. 'Share a Coke' with friends, and enjoy the conversation.
White Farmers Compensation: US Republicans Proposed Bill, $3.5 billion debt | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro for this insightful episode discussing white farmers’ compensation with Andy Pascoe and Harry Orphanides. The US Republicans proposed bill pressing Zimbabwe to pay the US$3.5 billion debt owed to farmers. This episode is sponsored by O'Mari Zimbabwe. The proposed bill to repeal ZIDERA is conditional on settling compensation within 12 months; farmers and stakeholders conside
US Republicans propose bill on removal of ZIDERA, $3.5 Billion Debt, US-Zim Relations| Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro on our episode as they discuss US Republicans proposed bill on removal of ZIDERA, Zimbabwe - US Relations, the $3.5 billion debt to white commercial farmers, the crucial Paris Club debt, and Zimbabwe's energy sector: the $455 million Jindal Steel - Hwange power plant deal. Republicans proposed bill to repeal ZIDERA, signaling a potential reset in ties. The importance of pay
Omari - Digital wallet, Regulatory Reforms, Tax Burdens, Gold price surge & Bitcoin | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro on this episode with our new sponsor, O'mari Zimbabwe, as we discuss key topics - gold prices surge, gold is seen as the trusted “old money." Clear, investor-friendly policies are crucial for Zimbabwe to double gold production. Zimbabwe has immense potential to significantly increase its gold production and become a major global supplier. Doubling gold output would attract
Is Zimbabwe in a crisis? Exclusive episode with ZNCC CEO Chris Mugaga | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe and Rufaro for an exclusive episode featuring Chris Mugaga, CEO of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC). Is Zimbabwe in a crisis? Question from Tinashe to ZNCC: Is the government engaging with the business sector? ZNCC is actively raising concerns about the electricity crisis with the government. Approximately 60% of ZESA’s budget is allocated to administrative costs rathe
Friday Drinks S10_36
Prospects for 2024/25 farming season, legacy debt & Steve Hankie inflation view.
Why Must Every Child Pass 5 O Levels? Is Zimbabwe's School System Failing? | Friday Drinks
Why is Zimbabwe fixated on five O Levels? Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro ask whether Zimbabwe's education system is serving every child—or simply preserving an outdated model inherited from the colonial era. The discussion explores: Why the five O-Level benchmark has become the defining measure of success in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe should create multiple pathways to success instead of relying on a
Is the South African state complicit in anti-immigration protests? | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss the anti-immigration protests in South Africa and the return of more than 56,000 Zimbabweans, exploring the impact on both countries. We ask the important question: Is the South African state complicit in anti-immigration protests? What role does South Africa state play in preventing or enabling the anti-immigration protests? Is this about policy
Cuba's Free-Market Reforms, South Africa's Immigration Debate & Gold Price Drop | Friday Drinks
Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro are back with another episode of Friday Drinks. The team unpacks Cuba's new free-market reforms, widely regarded as the country's biggest economic shift since the Cuban Revolution. They examine what these reforms could mean for Cuba's economy and discuss why free markets are often associated with investment, productivity, and economic growth. The conversation also explo
Illicit Brews, Unpaid Forex, & Predatory Tax: Is Zimbabwe Over-regulating Itself Into Poverty?
🎙️ In this episode: Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro explore: Why are platinum miners reportedly owed around US$228 million in unpaid export income under the foreign currency retention system. What does this mean for investor confidence, and the wider economy. The conversation also explores whether Zimbabwe is overregulating businesses, the challenges facing the formal sector, and what policymakers can
SpaceX IPO | ZSE Entrepreneurship Exchange & Zimbabwe's Local Content Act | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack some of the week's biggest ideas. ls colonizing Mars a worthy human pursuit? The markets certainly seem to think so, with investors continuing to back SpaceX. But is this humanity's next great frontier or simply 21st-century colonialism? Rufaro reflects on his Comrades Marathon experience and explores what inspires ordinary people to take on one of th
ZSE Entrepreneurship Exchange and Zimbabwe's Local Content Act | Friday Drinks
Tinashe, Rufaro and Ranga unpack two major developments: they discuss the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange(ZSE) approval of a new Entrepreneurship Exchange and what this could mean for startups, small businesses, and access to capital in the country. Could this be a game-changer for local entrepreneurs? The team also explores the Government’s proposed Local Content Act, aimed at reducing imports and promo
Is Zimbabwe Hostile for Business?A look at Tax Pressure & Investor Confidence Part 1 | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro begin with agriculture, unpacking the difference between lifestyle farming and commercial farming, and debating whether successful farming requires full-time presence on the farm. The discussion then moves into deeper economic issues, including RBZ money supply growth, inflation risks, and what rising liquidity could mean for prices and stability in the economy. Th
Zimbabwe bans foreign investors in SME Mining, wants 98% locals in senior management | Friday Drinks
In this episode, Ranga and Rufaro discuss Zimbabwe’s mining sector amid major policy shifts, including the ban on foreign participation in small-scale gold mining and requirements for 98% local representation in senior and middle management roles across mining operations. They unpack what these changes mean for investment, skills development, and the long-term competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mining
Decline in Agriculture Funding, Banking Crisis, FDI Inflows & US Dollar Economy | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack why Command Agriculture failed? Why is Zimbabwe struggling to attract meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI)? And what does it mean for the economy when the US dollar dominates everyday transactions? Zimbabwe’s banking sector, low deposit levels, the decline in agricultural funding, the shift from maize to tobacco farming, the US dollar economy and
Friday Drinks: Reviewing the First Mutual Wealth (FMW) gold ETF (Special Edition)
Ranga and Rufaro sit down with Simba Mangwendeza from First Mutual Wealth to unpack the First Mutual Wealth Gold ETF — an innovative investment product now listed on the VFEX. We explore: the ETF is linked to gold, what it offers investors, and why VFEX was chosen over the ZSE for listing. FMW Gold ETF units can also be sold on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), with proceeds remitted in ha
Friday Drinks: Reform, Reality & Recovery: Is Zimbabwe’s Economy Finally Turning the Corner?
Ranga, Rufaro and Simba Mangwendeza unpack key issues shaping Zimbabwe’s economy and financial sector. The conversation explores interest rates, monetary policy and the challenge of building confidence in the ZiG within a highly dollarised economy. The panel also discusses banking sector dynamics, including low lending activity, weak long-term deposits and shifting loans-to-deposits ratios. Furt
Promoting Zimbabwe Tourism from Tiger Bay | 67 Farms & ZIMSEC Debate | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Rufaro and Ranga coming to you live from Tiger Bay, set on the banks of the Ume River and surrounded by the Matusadona National Park in Kariba. This episode is sponsored by Tiger Bay — a hospitality unit of the Nyaradzo Group. Key talking points during the show:How do we promote Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, and are we doing enough to sell Zimbabwe to the world?• Why Zimbabwe needs to
May Day, AI & Work, RBZ & Shah - The Central Bank Relied on Loans to Keep Afloat | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga and Rufaro as they explore May Day in the age of AI — and what it means for the future of work. From the relevance of May Day in the age of AI and whether a four-day work week is becoming realistic, how artificial intelligence is reshaping productivity and the future of jobs, the discussion explores what work could look like in the years ahead. Also joining the conversation is
Low Tobacco Prices, Medical Aid Reforms: Who Are the Gatekeepers? E20 Fuel Concerns | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss tobacco farming to fuel pumps, healthcare policy to foreign investment covering the real conversations shaping Zimbabwe’s economy. Ranga shares his experience as a first-time tobacco farmer, navigating low prices and the realities on the ground. The discussion expands into how the tobacco sector is financed, and the evolving role of merchants versus
Can Zim Hit 5% Growth: IMF, $2.5B in bridge financing, Monocurrency | Friday Drinks
Join Ranga and Rufaro as they unpack Zimbabwe's economy: Can Zimbabwe hit the IMF's 5% growth target amid policy inconsistent, a debt overhang, and local currency fixation? Key Topics: IMF forecasts 5% GDP growth for 2026—matching government targets, but is it realistic? Washington debt talks: $2.5B bridging finance to clear arrears and unlock funding Monocurrency: 6 failed local currency attempts
Positioning Zimbabwe for Investment Growth with Noel Mahombera_ZIDA | Friday Drinks
Join Ranga and Rufaro with Noel Mahombera, Chief Business Development Officer at ZIDA (Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency). Discussion insights: How ZIDA is working to attract investment and position Zimbabwe as a premier destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (BKPO). They dive deep into: 🔥 Zimbabwe's BPO Potential: Lower labor costs, skilled E
ZiG Fading, USD Economy – Is Mono‑Currency Possible? Solar Projects, Fuel Tax Hikes | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro as they discuss how the ZiG is fading from the economy and how over 90% of the formal sector runs on the US dollar – with the informal sector effectively at 100%. We ask: how realistic is the mono‑currency? We then turn to energy: independent power producers (IPPs), such as solar projects, rely on long‑term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and government guarantees.
Nyaradzo @25 Run: Celebrating 25 Years of Nyaradzo Group | Friday Drinks
Join Rufaro in conversation with runners at the Nyaradzo @25 Run, which saw an impressive turnout of over 5,000 participants at the SEAL Lifestyle Park in Chishawasha. The run celebrated 25 years of the Nyaradzo Group, bringing together runners and fitness enthusiasts. Rufaro sits down with runners to discuss what motivates and inspires them to keep going.Join Rufaro in conversation with runners a
Econet InfraCo Listing on VFEX: Zimbabwe’s Largest Initial Listing | Friday Drinks
Join Tinashe, Ranga, and Rufaro in Victoria Falls at Econet InfraCo listing on the VFEX. They unpack what this record-breaking debut means for investors, the economy, and the future of Zimbabwe’s capital markets. With a valuation of US$1 billion, Econet InfraCo marks the largest initial listing in Zimbabwe’s capital markets history. This is sponsored by Delta Corporation - 'Share a Coke' and join
China cautions on Zim's policy flip-flops; lithium ore ban_Exclusive ZiG payments & fuel price hikes
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
The myth of Zimbabwean Exceptionalism, AI & the Markets, Geopolitics: Russia-Ukraine - Friday Drinks
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 mo
