Central banking in a distressed economy: Enhancing the role and responsibilities of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The central bank of Zimbabwe is failing to stabilize macroeconomic fundamentals such as inflation and foreign currency variables. This trigged the research study. The research objectives were mainly to evaluate the roles of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) as the central bank in the country; to assess the effectiveness of the policies that the RBZ uses to effect monetary policy and foreign exchange management in the country; to establish the challenges that the central bank faces in executing its mandate and to determine what should be done by the central bank to enhance the effectiveness of its role and responsibilities. The methodology of the research was quantitative. SPSS version 23.0 was used for statistical data analysis. Descriptive statistics and Principal Factor Analysis were used in data analysis. Research findings were presented using tables, charts and graphs. About the roles of the RBZ, the research established that RBZ is providing good leadership in the banking sector. It has been allocating foreign currency to the most important sectors in the country for the period 2009-2019. About contribution of the different policies of RBZ, the policies have mostly influenced hyperinflation, currency collapse and money supply growth. The research established that the most challenging factor to the central bank is lack of independence in its operations, and this needs to be rightfully addressed. It is recommended that the RBZ implement IMF’s advice. The central bank is recommended to issue currency that strong enough for national development goal in Zimbabwe. It is recommended that to meet the national interests, the RBZ should make sure that they use foreign currency and gold reserves in order to control the exchange rates. Further, the national budget should continue with the allocation mechanisms that promote prioritisation of sectors that contribute mostly to economic growth. It is also recommended that in order to create a sound financial system, the RBZ has to create a culture of value systems such as transparency, integrity and accountability as it is its responsibility to create a sound financial system. Future researchers are recommended to conduct in-depth research that can yield more approaches to currency stability that can be used by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. About independence of the central bank, future researchers can dig deep into unveiling the matters surrounding independence of the central bank and find ways that can be used to enhance independence of the central bank.