justing testing
September 16, 2026
STAFF WRITER
Banks should not cap loan tenures at 2027 on the assumption that Zimbabwe will have returned to a mono-currency regime by then, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mushayavanhu said, stressing that the transition will be determined by economic conditions rather than a fixed deadline.
“Banking institutions should not limit lending tenures to 2027 because the transition to mono-currency is no longer date-based, but is based on the conditions presented,” Dr Mushayavanhu said.
The comments, made this week at the commissioning of Ecobank Zimbabwe’s new headquarters in Harare, mark a significant clarification of the Government’s approach to the long-discussed return to a mono-currency system and remove the assumption that Zimbabwe will automatically make the switch in 2027.
Instead, Dr Mushayavanhu said the transition would be market-led and dependent on the country meeting conditions set out under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), including sustained macro-economic stability, adequate foreign currency reserves and an efficient foreign exchange management system.
“Let me reiterate that the transition to mono-currency, which has been talked about, is going to be market-led.
“It is no longer date-based but contingent upon meeting conditions precedent outlined in the National Development Strategy 2,” he said.
The clarification is important for borrowers and lenders, particularly for long-term financing decisions, as it removes the expectation that loans extending beyond 2027 would necessarily face a currency regime change.
Dr Mushayavanhu said Zimbabwe had made progress on some of the conditions, particularly maintaining low and stable inflation and improving the efficiency of the foreign exchange market.
Authorities expect annual inflation to remain in single digits, while monthly inflation is projected to remain below 1%.
Foreign currency reserves, however, remain a major gap.
Dr Mushayavanhu said Zimbabwe currently had between 1.7 and 1.8 months of import cover, below the NDS2 medium- to long-term target of three to six months.
“We are sitting at about 1,7 to 1,8 months of import cover, we still have a way to go, but we will get there,” he said.
Import cover measures the length of time a country’s foreign currency reserves can finance imports and provides an important buffer against external shocks, balance-of-payments pressures and foreign currency shortages.
The RBZ’s position means Zimbabwe needs to build a significantly larger foreign currency reserve cushion before reaching even the lower end of the three-month threshold.
The country’s current account is expected to remain in surplus at about US$2.5bn this year, supported largely by diaspora remittances and merchandise exports.
The focus on reserve accumulation reflects lessons from Zimbabwe’s previous currency transitions.
Dr Mushayavanhu said Zimbabwe had, however, made progress in establishing an efficient foreign exchange management system designed to reduce market segmentation and improve access to foreign currency for legitimate transactions.
“I think that one, we are already there,” he said.
An efficient foreign exchange market is central to the transition because persistent distortions between formal and parallel markets can undermine confidence, raise business costs and fuel price instability.
Under NDS2, macro-economic stability is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s development strategy, with the Government seeking to create conditions for sustainable economic growth and advance the country towards its Vision 2030 targets.
By Mbekezeli Ncube
Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) is transforming industrial waste generated during steel production into electricity and cement, as the company intensifies efforts to improve efficiency, reduce environmental pollution and contribute to Zimbabwe’s energy security.
Speaking during a media tour of the company’s Mvuma plant, Mechanical Engineer Munashe Chihambakwe said DISCO’s main product is pig iron, but the integrated steel plant is also producing other valuable by-products from materials that would ordinarily be treated as waste.
“DISCO’s main product is pig iron, but we also have other products coming from the blast furnace which would ordinarily be considered waste. Some of those include slag, which is going to be used to manufacture cement, as well as other components coming from the process,” said Eng. Chihambakwe.
The company has an annual production capacity of 600 000 metric tonnes of pig iron and can produce up to 2 000 metric tonnes per day when operating at maximum capacity over a 24-hour period.
As part of its value-addition strategy, DISCO is establishing a cement production line that will utilise slag from the blast furnace. Eng. Chihambakwe said the cement plant is expected to begin operations in October this year.
“The cement line is coming in October this year and we are targeting 200 000 metric tonnes of cement in annual capacity,” he said.
On electricity generation, Eng Chihambakwe said the company has invested in two power sources within its operations.
The first is a thermal power plant that uses CFB (Circulating Fluidized Bed) technology, while the second captures heat and gases produced during the steelmaking process to generate steam for electricity production.
He said the waste heat and gas recovery system is designed to ensure that energy that would otherwise be lost is put to productive use.
“We have heat and gas, instead of flaring it into the air, we are using it to generate electricity. We have our 20-megawatt gas boiler which will be functioning pretty soon, so we are going to be using that heat and gas to produce electricity,” said Eng. Chihambakwe.
The company is also working towards supplying excess electricity to the national grid. Eng Chihambakwe said DISCO is engaging the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to complete the technical processes required for grid connection.
“We are in the process of synchronization to put the excess into the national grid, so we are in talks with ZESA and ZETDC to make sure that all the technicalities are in line for us to put our power into the national grid,” said Eng Chihambakwe.
The initiative positions DISCO as a key player in Zimbabwe’s drive for industrial value addition, cleaner production and sustainable manufacturing.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
Trong trường hợp phụ nữ mang thai được xác định là thiếu Vitamin D, Tiến sĩ Han lưu ý rằng Trường Cao đẳng Sản phụ khoa Hoa Kỳ khuyến nghị lượng tiêu thụ hàng ngày cao hơn từ 1.000-2.000 IU (hoặc 25–50mcg), được coi là an toàn.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
Trong trường hợp phụ nữ mang thai được xác định là thiếu Vitamin D, Tiến sĩ Han lưu ý rằng Trường Cao đẳng Sản phụ khoa Hoa Kỳ khuyến nghị lượng tiêu thụ hàng ngày cao hơn từ 1.000-2.000 IU (hoặc 25–50mcg), được coi là an toàn.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.
Have you ever come across the term Vitamin D deficiency? It turns out that pregnant women in Singapore are experiencing a shortfall in this essential micronutrient. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, bolstering the immune system, and plays a pivotal role in the well-being of both mother and fetus.
This revelation stems from a comprehensive study conducted across multiple countries, encompassing 1,700 women aged between 18 and 38 from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Jennifer Shim, a senior dietitian at Parkway East Hospital, said people should get at least five to 30 minutes of sun exposure, at least twice a week. The Singhealth website advised letting the sun shine on your arms and legs, between 10am and 3pm.
The reason we’re not getting at least this amount of sun exposure is our sun-protection behaviour.
“Using sunscreen, umbrellas, staying indoors or seeking shade, as well as wearing long sleeves, can block the source of Vitamin D production from sunlight,”
Other factors also affect a person’s Vitamin D levels, said Shim. These include being post-menopausal and above 70 years old, having poor kidney function, being obese, and having medical conditions such as lymphoma or parathyroid disease (where the parathyroid gland becomes enlarged).
Vitamin D plays a significant role in influencing the ovarian processes responsible for egg production and release for fertilization. Dr. Han How Chuan, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, highlights that research on Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatments indicates that deficiency in this micronutrient can serve as a risk indicator for decreased fertility.
Dr. Han further notes that women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, who maintain sufficient levels of Vitamin D, exhibit a higher live birth rate compared to those who are deficient or insufficient in this vitamin.
Despite these findings, routine screening for Vitamin D deficiency is not standard practice, neither during pregnancy nor for those attempting to conceive. Dr. Han explains that while studies have identified a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women, many of them still proceed to have healthy pregnancies.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) advises that pregnant or breastfeeding women should aim for a daily intake of 10mcg or 400 IU of Vitamin D, whereas the recommended dietary allowance for non-pregnant women and men is 2.5mcg or 100 IU per day.
According to Shim, these recommended amounts are tailored for individuals residing in Singapore, given its tropical climate and consistent, strong sunlight exposure throughout the year.
In cases where pregnant women are identified as deficient in Vitamin D, Dr. Han notes that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a higher daily intake of 1,000-2,000 IU (or 25–50mcg), which is considered safe.