In a stunning turn of events, the Zimbabwean government has unleashed its most significant currency intervention since the introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in April. This move comes on the heels of our recent observations of retailers defying official exchange rate directives, as reported yesterday. The sudden devaluation of the ZiG has sent shockwaves through the economy, leaving consumers and businesses scrambling to adjust.

Chaos in supermarkets as customers abandoned shopping carts

The Silent Devaluation

Without fanfare or prior announcement, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) quietly updated its website, revealing a new mid-rate of just under 25 ZiG to 1 USD. This represents a significant devaluation from the previous rate of around 14 ZiG to 1 USD. As of September 27, 2024, the new official rates stand at:

USD/ZWG: 24.3902 (Bid: 23.7804, Ask: 25.0000)

This abrupt change contradicts recent government assurances about the ZiG’s stability and its purported gold backing. The lack of transparency surrounding the currency’s asset backing continues to raise questions about its true nature and value.

Immediate Economic Fallout

The impact of this devaluation was immediate and widespread:

Supermarket Chaos: Scenes of abandoned shopping carts filled social media as consumers suddenly found their ZiG salaries insufficient to cover their planned purchases.
Salary Devaluation: Workers who received their salaries yesterday in ZiG at the old official rate effectively lost nearly half of their purchasing power overnight.
USD Stability: Prices in USD have remained relatively stable, with some items even seeing reductions in USD terms.

Expected Outcomes

As we previously analyzed, several immediate changes are expected:

Grocery Price Hikes: ZiG-denominated prices for groceries are expected to rise sharply.
Utility Rate Increases: ZESA tariffs have already been updated to reflect the new exchange rate.
Telecom Services: Econet and NetOne are likely to adjust their ZiG-denominated private and WiFi bundle prices soon.
Internet Costs: Broad increases in ZiG prices for internet services are anticipated.
Government Services: Services paid at interbank rates are expected to see price adjustments.

The Broader Economic Picture

This devaluation comes amid ongoing economic challenges in Zimbabwe. The government’s recent attempts to shore up the ZiG, including releasing millions of dollars to the formal sector, appear to have had limited impact on foreign currency demand. The country’s heavy reliance on imports, ranging from basic goods to luxury items, continues to put pressure on the currency.

Policy Implications

The RBZ’s move signals a significant shift in monetary policy. As detailed in our recent analysis of the RBZ’s policy changes, this devaluation is accompanied by other measures, including:

An increase in the Bank Policy Rate from 20% to 35%
Higher statutory reserve requirements for banks
Reduced foreign currency travel allowances

These measures collectively aim to stabilize the currency and control inflation, but they come at a significant short-term cost to consumers and businesses.

Looking Ahead

The coming weeks will be critical in assessing the full impact of this currency devaluation. Key areas to watch include:

Inflation rates and price trends across various sectors
The stability of the new exchange rate
Consumer purchasing power and spending patterns
Business responses, particularly in import-dependent industries

At Zimpricecheck, we remain committed to providing timely and accurate information as this situation unfolds. We encourage our readers to stay informed and consider these economic shifts when making financial decisions.

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