What in the world happened to Zimbabwe? Although the country
certainly had its share of difficulties during the first 25 years since
independence in 1980, it largely dodged the famines, civil strife, and
grossly mismanaged government policies so common in other sub-Saharan African countries. Through the 1980s, its annual real GDP
growth averaged more than 5 percent, and, unlike other African coun-tries, agricultural yields were large enough to allow the country to
export grain. In the following decade, economic growth slowed, and
government policies were less than efficient, but Zimbabwe still man-aged to grow an average of 4.3 percent, in real terms.
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The govern-ment also offered free education and relatively good access to medical
care. Population growth was slowing, and foreign direct investment
increasing. With rich mineral assets, an educated workforce, and
beautiful natural wonders, Zimbabwe appeared to have the best
chance to be an African success story.