Top economic events to watch for in 2026 :: Mmegi Online

A second year of contraction, jittery budget figures, the long-awaited De Beers deal, as well as record copper prices, the sale of Stanchart’s key unit and the dreaded increase in electricity prices, are just some of the stories to watch for this year. Staff Writers, MBONGENI MGUNI & TIMOTHY LEWANIKA report

The economy will almost certainly be shown to have experienced a contraction for 2025, when the fourth quarter GDP figures are revealed on March 31. The economy has not incurred successive economic contractions in any two years since Independence, a trend that underlines the deep distress facing the country.

The Finance Ministry expects that the economy contracted by 0.9% in 2025, but other experts caution such as the IMF have forecast a one percent narrowing, all largely driven by the prolonged downturn in diamonds.

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