Purpose: This study aimed to reconfigure nation branding theories and concepts through infrastructure financing intervention. Research methodology: Data were collected using a QUAL to QUAN sequential mixed methods. Results: Qualitative research informed that the infrastructure that is required for nation branding to be road networks; airports; Information Communication Technologies (ICTs); reliable power supply; industrial facilities; tourism facilities; healthcare facilities; educational facilities; educational facilities; and residential accommodation. These were then classified into two, namely, economic and social infrastructure. Results from quantitative research showed that there is a positive relationship between nation branding and infrastructure financing. Also, it showed that road infrastructure and airports were the most related to nation branding with public-private partnerships and bilateral/multilateral loans to finance their development, respectively. Limitations: As a result of the COVID-19, the research did not manage to have some focus groups for a depth understanding and comprehensive response of the participants. Contribution: The results will help the Zimbabwean government consider developing the road networks and airports to enhance the nation’s brand.

The purpose of the study was to expose the reality about customer loyalty in developing countries using a case of Bindura fast-food industry. Customer loyalty is a very popular subject in the field of marketing. The majority of researches on customer loyalty were carried out in developed economies. To bridge the geographical gap, this study was conducted in a ‘third-world’ economy of Zimbabwe. Descriptive, correlational research designs were adopted backed by both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. The research used primary data collected from 80 final consumers and 10employees selected through purposive sampling. The study indicated that, the majority of consumers in developing countries are not genuinely loyal to one supplier, but they continuously look for better alternatives basing on situational factors. It is therefore recommended that, new entrepreneurs must not hesitate to venture into new and existing industries assuming that customers belong to existing players.

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The paper examines the status and future potential of innovative finance in mitigating public infrastructure financing gaps in Zimbabwe. The study is descriptive. Data were collected through 23 interviews and 32 questionnaires. Interviews were conducted with managers of government of Zimbabwe ministries and parastatal enterprises, and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Whilst the questionnaires were distributed to officers of government of Zimbabwe ministries and parastatal enterprises and analyzed using Stata v14. The findings revealed that Zimbabwe does not currently finance public infrastructure using conventional innovative financing instruments. However, there are innovations in the combination of conventional financing instruments such as bonds, loans, and budget appropriations to finance power (electricity) infrastructure to a limited extent. Scope and potential exist for using innovative finance once a supportive legal and regulatory framework for public private partnerships (PPP) and other innovative financing instruments is in place in Zimbabwe. Using a binary logistic regression model, the findings showed that the infrastructure sector is the only factor significantly influencing innovative infrastructure financing at the 5% significance level with p-value < 0.05. The study recommends Zimbabwe to follow the South African Public Private Partnership framework by developing provincial and municipal regulations anchored in national legislation. There is latent potential for closing the public infrastructure financing gap in Zimbabwe using innovative finance.

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Zimbabwe requires USD2 billion annually until 2032 for financing economic infrastructure. However, the Government of Zimbabwe currently affords about 20% of this financing requirement leaving an 80% gap. The aim of the study was to establish the main sources of finance for economic public infrastructure and recommend alternative financing sources to supplement the current sources. The qualitative descriptive study collected primary data through 23 interviews conducted with officials from ministries of the Government of Zimbabwe, government departments and parastatal enterprises. Secondary data was obtained from documentary analysis. The study revealed bilateral loans from the China Exim Bank as the main source of finance for economic infrastructure, contributing USD2.1 billion whilst budget appropriations from the Government of Zimbabwe contributed USD1 billion during the 10-year period under study. Infrastructure finance was also obtained from development partners (USD200 million) and commercial and multilateral lenders (USD400 million). The study recommends developing a framework that promotes and protects private sector and/or innovative financiers of infrastructure through policy stability.