US dollars in Zimbabwe come from exports, not Washington, says Mutsvangwa

US dollars in Zimbabwe come from exports, not Washington, says Mutsvangwa

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Zimbabwe earns United States dollars through exports and participation in international markets, not through support from the US government, ZANU PF spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa has said.

Mutsvangwa made the remarks at a press conference held at the ruling party’s headquarters in Harare on 18 June 2026, amid ongoing public debate about why the US dollar is widely used in Zimbabwe and what sustains the country’s multi-currency system.

He dismissed suggestions that the circulation of the greenback locally is linked to any arrangement with Washington, saying: “US dollars in Zimbabwe are not a gift of the American government.”

He added: “There are not even any arrangements between the Zimbabwe government and America for the American government to ship US dollars to Zimbabwe.”

Mutsvangwa argued that, given the continued existence of US sanctions, it would be unlawful under American law for the US government to provide such currency support. “We were under sanctions from them. We still are under sanctions. It would be illegal under American law if that were to be done by the American government,” he said.

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Instead, he said, the market determines how foreign currency flows into Zimbabwe, with export earnings forming a major source of US dollar inflows from productive sectors. “What is happening is that the market is the one determining the flow of dollars to Zimbabwe,” he said.

Mutsvangwa linked the availability of US dollars to export performance from sectors including mining and agriculture, also pointing to horticulture products such as citrus, avocado and blueberries as examples he said were contributing to foreign currency earnings.

“It means this country is working so hard that we earn our keep every day using the most difficult currency on the global market, US dollars,” he said, adding: “The dollars that Zimbabweans have in their pockets are hard-earned dollars from the global marketplace.”

He further claimed exports had increased in recent years and said the current account was in surplus, with foreign currency reserves providing cover for imports and development needs.

His comments come as the US dollar remains the dominant currency for major transactions in Zimbabwe, despite ongoing efforts by authorities to strengthen the local currency and reduce reliance on the greenback.

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