🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a southern African country of 16 million with a GDP of about $28 billion, still recovering from the economic catastrophe of the Mugabe era. Hyperinflation peaked at an estimated 79.6 billion percent in November 2008 — the second-worst hyperinflation in recorded history. The country abandoned its own currency and dollarized, though it's since reintroduced a local currency (the ZiG, or Zimbabwe Gold, backed by gold reserves). Zimbabwe has significant mineral wealth — platinum (world's third-largest reserves), diamonds, gold, lithium, and chrome. The country's land reform program in the 2000s, which seized white-owned farms, collapsed agricultural output and triggered the economic crisis. Great Zimbabwe, the medieval stone city, gives the country its name.

Mining (gold, platinum, diamonds, lithium, chrome) accounts for about 80% of exports. Agriculture (tobacco — Zimbabwe is a major producer — cotton, sugar) has partially recovered. South Africa, China, and the UAE are the main trade partners. The new ZiG currency has been more stable than previous attempts but trust remains low — most transactions still use US dollars. GDP growth has been around 3-4%, but from a very low base. Lithium reserves are attracting Chinese investment — Zimbabwe has Africa's largest lithium deposits.

Great Zimbabwe is the largest stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa built before modern times — it housed up to 18,000 people at its peak in the 15th century. Zimbabwe's 100-trillion-dollar banknote from 2008 is now a collector's item selling for $50-100 on eBay. The country's Hwange National Park has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa — about 45,000.

Zimbabwe's mineral wealth — particularly lithium and platinum — positions it well for the energy transition, but the governance deficit and currency instability continue to hold it back. The country has been "about to recover" for 15 years; the lithium boom might finally make it real.