Main content

Giving Zimbabwe Credit

Zimbabwe - once named the world's worst economy - is now offering consumer credit. Is that a sign of recovery or a prelude to disaster? Also, why a billion women could be the key to global recovery.

You think Greece has it bad - remember Zimbabwe - with 95% unemployment and hyperinflation it was dubbed by Forbes magazine "the world's worst economy" in 2010.

Today, with the dollar installed as the official currency, there are modest signs of recovery.

But are they enough to warrant the widespread consumer credit that's now on offer? Steve Vickers reports from Harare.

Also, why a billion women, excluded from the workplace, could provide the secret to global recovery.

Beth Brooke, vice chair of public policy at the global accountancy firm, Ernst and Young, tells us why she's championing the so-called "Third Billion" initiative.

And our regular commentator, Irwin Stelzer, meditates on the bankers and the financial system we love to hate - do they still not understand the reasons?

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Fri 17 Feb 2012 08:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Fri 17 Feb 2012 08:32GMT

Podcast