El Niño & Food Security: Grain SA says South Africa has a maize surplus and bumper harvests, but warns drought risk is bigger for neighbours like Zimbabwe and Zambia. Retail & Property: OK Mart Bulawayo Complex has shut, displacing about 60 small enterprises after a rental dispute tied to Old Mutual, highlighting pressure on Zimbabwe’s retail property sector. COMESA Integration: Zimbabwe will host the 25th COMESA Summit in October (Oct 22) and take the chairmanship, with a Business Forum on Oct 20 and Foreign Affairs meeting on Oct 21 focused on industrialisation and investment. Agri-Exports: Zimbabwe’s first blueberry consignment to China has arrived under the zero-tariff arrangement, following customs approval and protocol requirements. Construction Industry: Chinese firm Shuntai Investments says its US$200m cement plant in Chegutu will start operations in September, adding solar power, packaging and jobs. Mining Modernisation: Smart mining tech is set to reshape Zimbabwe’s sector, with firms pushing AI and connectivity to boost output and safety. Water Services: ZINWA is rolling out prepaid water meters at growth points and towns after receiving 5,250 units. Waste & Environment: President Mnangagwa appoints Dr Dilesh Nguwaya as Special Advisor on waste management and environmental sustainability. Hospitality Funding Gap: Zimbabwe’s hospitality sector says it needs up to US$30m per operator to refurbish ahead of IATF 2029. Capital Markets: Collective investment schemes are shifting toward US-dollar funds as forex-linked assets jump. Energy Access: Fidelity Life and Southview Energy launch Zimbabwe’s first large-scale residential piped gas pilot for thousands of homes.