Infamous by design: Illicit finance in Zimbabwe

The fight against corruption is in the global limelight. With the world’s attention trained on responding to Covid-19, citizens are increasingly aware of the impact public spending has on their livelihoods and wellbeing. The resulting clamor for transparency around government spending and outcry over impunity is a significant moment in a long struggle for greater openness.

This report captures and synthesizes Pact’s findings, focusing on the economic and political drivers that enable—or in some cases incentivize—Zimbabweans to participate in illicit finance across the five sectors of mining, energy, agriculture, transport and health, and offers recommendations for how to continue the push for responsive governance in Zimbabwe and beyond.