Labour Crunch in South Africa: Anti-migrant protests and tougher immigration enforcement have triggered a mass exodus of foreign workers, leaving farms and factories short-handed and leaving crops unpicked, with Zimbabweans among those returning home. Lithium Value Addition: Zimbabwe’s first clean-energy lithium processing plant is now running, as the country pushes to stop raw mineral exports and build battery-grade capacity; Mutapa Resources also secured US$300m for lithium development and outlined gold expansion targets. Mining Compliance Clash: Residents in Chipinge’s Christmas Pass allege a mining firm is defying an EMA stop order, raising fears over environmental damage and safety. Insurance Inclusion vs Retreat: Zimbabwe’s insurance uptake is lagging while other financial inclusion grows, with short-term and funeral policy books shrinking in the latest IPEC figures. Agriculture Under Climate Pressure: President Mnangagwa warns of possible below-normal rainfall linked to El Niño and urges drought-resistant, early-maturing crops. Water Infrastructure Funding Gap: A progress report flags hundreds of millions of US dollars still needed to complete the Gwayi-Shangani and Bulawayo bulk water system. Tourism Connectivity Boost: Air Zimbabwe’s Harare–London reboot is expected to lift horticulture and tourism demand, especially for time-sensitive exports. Competition Watch: Mega Market’s proposed takeover of Lobels Holdings is under CTC review, while Dairibord’s control battle continues between Delta and Varun. Industrialisation Push: Mnangagwa reaffirmed plans to accelerate manufacturing through infrastructure, green industry, innovation and regional value chains.