Tinotenda Hove -Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Thursday delivered the 2025 Mid-Term Budget Review Statement in Parliament, offering key updates on government revenue and expenditure for the first half of the year.

Between January and June, the government spent 35% of the approved 2025 national budget. Ncube ruled out any supplementary budget, insisting the remaining 65% is sufficient to meet funding needs for the rest of the year.

Infrastructure spending stood at ZWL15.7 billion (around US$588 million), with most of the funds going to the transport sector. Transport was the biggest spender and has already exceeded its annual allocation, driven largely by road projects such as the controversial Trabablas Interchange.

In contrast, the health sector has used only a quarter of its budget — a potential sign of delays in Treasury disbursements rather than reduced activity.

Public sector salaries remain the biggest expenditure item, accounting for 55.2% of all government spending and 56.4% of total revenue.

On the sugar tax, the government collected the equivalent of US$25.4 million between January and May. The tax, imposed on sugary drinks, is intended to fund the purchase of cancer treatment equipment.

Said Ncube: “The responsible Ministry has already initiated the necessary procurement processes for the equipment, with the target to receive delivery before end of the year.”