Zimbabwe’s Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has recently called for the country to shift from its traditional eight-hour workday to a full 24-hour economy. Speaking at the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) in Bulawayo, Ncube argued that extending business operations around the clock could unlock untapped productivity by making better use of electricity available during off-peak nighttime hours. The ambitious proposal comes amid Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic challenges, raising questions about its feasibility and impact.
Professor Ncube highlighted the limitations of Zimbabwe’s current work culture, noting that most people clock out by 4:30 pm despite ample electricity supply continuing through the night. “We arrive at 8 am, take a two-hour lunch break, and by 4:30 pm, it’s home time,” he remarked, emphasizing how this schedule restricts economic growth. His vision is to transform the country into a “24-hour economy,” capitalizing on the fact that electricity consumption drops significantly overnight when households are asleep.
The minister’s argument centers on the idea that electricity is more available at night, presenting an opportunity for businesses to operate continuously and boost productivity. “We need a 24-hour economy. Overnight, there is more electricity because the households are sleeping, so it’s actually more electricity,” he said, urging policymakers to learn from other countries that have successfully implemented round-the-clock operations.
However, the concept of running a 24-hour economy in Zimbabwe faces serious practical challenges. Security concerns loom large, as nighttime in the country often brings heightened risks of crime, making extended business hours potentially dangerous. Infrastructure issues also pose a significant hurdle: while electricity might be more accessible, other critical services like transportation, internet connectivity, and emergency response tend to falter after dark.
Moreover, the human factor cannot be overlooked. Expecting workers to adopt nocturnal schedules clashes with health, social, and cultural realities. Fatigue and reduced productivity could offset any gains from extended hours. Additionally, deep-rooted work culture and regulatory frameworks are unlikely to shift overnight, especially in a nation already grappling with multiple crises.
While Professor Ncube’s call for a 24-hour economy reflects a creative attempt to fuel economic growth by harnessing underutilized resources, Zimbabwe’s broader challenges mean this strategy alone may not be enough to steer the country away from its precarious economic position. The idea of working like owls in a sinking ship is a bold gamble , one that will require careful planning, investment, and security measures if it is to succeed. Whether Zimbabwe can pull off this nocturnal transformation remains to be seen.
end//..
