By Correspondent
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has introduced a fixed timetable for Zimbabwe’s annual budget process, requiring the National Budget to be presented to Parliament no later than the third Thursday of November.
The changes are contained in Statutory Instrument 153 of 2026, the Public Finance Management (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 2).
It was published in the Government Gazette on October 2.
The regulations amend the 2019 framework and repeal the 2021 amendment.
Under the new regulations, “the Minister shall determine the annual budget process” according to a prescribed calendar.
This will cover fiscal planning, expenditure ceilings, budget submissions and parliamentary consideration.
New Deadlines
Ministries, departments and agencies must submit their input into the Budget Strategy Paper and Mid-Year Budget and Economic Review by June 1.
These have to include “revised strategic priorities and expenditure intentions”.
Ncube is required to present the Budget Strategy Paper and Mid-Year Fiscal Review to Cabinet by July 15 and to Parliament by July 31.
Treasury must then update its macroeconomic performance assessment and forecasts by September 1, before issuing a second Budget Call Circular by September 10.
The circular will set medium-term expenditure ceilings to guide spending proposals by government departments.
The regulations set September 30 as the deadline for ministries, departments and agencies to submit their budget proposals to Treasury.
Discussions between the Finance Ministry and the respective agencies will take place from October 1 to 21.
The proposed Budget must be presented to Cabinet at a meeting in November before being tabled in Parliament by the third Thursday of that month.
The new calendar formalises deadlines across the budget cycle.
From the initial setting of government priorities to parliamentary debate and approval.
However, its effectiveness will depend on compliance by ministries, timely assessment of revenue, expenditure demands and economic conditions.
The regulations were issued under Section 92 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19].
——————————————————————————————————
Love what we do?
We’re dedicated to opening up democracy, one article, video and story at a time. If you find our reporting helpful, you can support the Magamba Network team by buying us a coffee. It’s quick, easy, and makes a real difference!
————————————————————————————————————
