The UK is teaming up with Standard Chartered Bank to lend $100m to Zimbabwean companies in what will be the British government’s first direct commercial loan to the southern African nation’s private sector in more than 20 years.

The loan is the biggest sign of a thaw in the UK-Zimbabwe relationship since London imposed sanctions on Robert Mugabe’s regime in the early 2000s. The rapprochement follows Mr Mugabe’s forced resignation in November in a “soft coup” that ended his 37-year rule. Read more

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has appealed for patience as he winds up his first 100 days in office, saying “it takes more than 100 days to recover an economy”, so citizens should not lose hope at the slow pace of change. Read more