100 years of FES – find out more

Zimbabwe

In 1980 Zimbabwe gained independence from British colonial rule after a liberation struggle and has since been governed by the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). After successes in state-building and the economic as well as social inclusion of broad sections of the population, the economic outlook became increasingly gloomy in the early 1990s. High inflation, company closures and a labour market crisis pushed a large proportion of the population into the informal sector. Today, the country is struggling with increasing social inequality and poverty, food insecurity as well as floods and droughts as a result of climate change. The state is only to a very limited extent able to provide citizens with basic services.

The political transition also stalled. In 2013, the country adopted a new and progressive constitution. However, the political reforms it initiated have not yet been fully implemented. Following the military-backed transfer of power in 2017, the government has endeavoured to draw closer to the international community and gain the support of international financial institutions on the basis of political reforms. However, the economic challenges and political tensions continue under the current government. The two elections in 2018 and 2023 were contested by the opposition. Civil society is operating in a difficult environment due to legal, economic and political constraints.

The FES office in Zimbabwe works with local partners and supports progressive actors in the trade unions and civil society. It cooperates with political institutions such as parliament, ministries and other state institutions. Its activities focus on promoting gender justice, socio-ecological transformation, youth work and political participation.

Read more about our work in Zimbabwe on the website of the country office.

Publications

Muchichwa, Nyasha

The state of four pillars of the decent work agenda in Zimbabwe

Harare, 2022

Download publication (1,1 MB PDF-File)


Mlambo, Lyman

Extractives and sustainable development II

Minerals, oil and gas sectors in Zimbabwe
Harare, 2022

Download publication (1 MB, PDF-File)


Chakanya, Naome

Green jobs report

Case studies of green jobs in renewable energy projects in Zimbabwe
Harare, 2022

Download publication (850 KB, PDF-File)


Bolten, Magnus

The Special Economic Zones Act 2016

Fighting decent work in Zimbabwe?
Harare, 2022

Download publication (210 KB, PDF-File)


Mawowa, Showers; McCandless, Erin

Unsettled Zimbabwe

The quest for a resilient social contract
Harare, 2022

Download publication (210 KB, PDF-File)


Africa Department

Contact in Germany

Tina Hennecken Andrade

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Hiroshimastr. 17
10785 Berlin

+49 30-269 35-75 23

E-Mail


Contact in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Office

Thilo Schöne
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
P.O. Box 4720
ZW Belgravia / Harare 
Zimbabwe

+263-4-70 55 87

E-Mail

back to top