The Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) is set to cut 154 jobs in the first phase of a restructuring exercise announced on Wednesday, with most of the losses expected at its loss-making television division, Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), insiders said.

Company executives met workers’ representatives in Harare on Wednesday, where the planned retrenchments were announced.

“They said 154 jobs will go in the first phase, which means more people will be forced out in the next phase,” an individual familiar with the discussions said.

Zimpapers, Zimbabwe’s biggest media group, employs more than 900 people across its newspaper, radio, television and printing divisions.

In a statement, the company said the restructuring was part of its transition into a “digital-first organisation”, although it did not disclose the number of affected positions.

Board chairperson Doreen Sibanda said the newspapers division would be realigned into a digital- and mobile-first operating structure.

“These changes require the reorganisation of operations, consolidation of functions, and optimisation of organisational structures,” she said.

“As a result, certain positions have become redundant within the revised operating model, and the company has commenced a retrenchment process in compliance with applicable labour laws and established human resources procedures.”

Zimpapers said it would notify the National Employment Council and Retrenchment Board before affected workers receive retrenchment letters.

The restructuring has already triggered editorial changes, with Sunday News editor Hatred Zenenga doubling up as editor of The Chronicle following Lawson Mabhena’s departure to become head of news for all Zimpapers titles, based in Harare.

The job cuts come as Zimpapers faces declining print circulation and advertising revenues amid a shift in audience consumption towards digital platforms.

Its 2025 financial results show mounting pressure across the group. Revenue fell 15.5% to ZWG622.1 million from ZWG736.5 million in 2024, while gross profit dropped 26% to ZWG300.8 million.

The operating loss widened from ZWG17.3 million to ZWG74.6 million, while the loss before tax increased from ZWG55.7 million to ZWG96.3 million. Loss after tax rose 284% to ZWG83.5 million from ZWG21.7 million.

The newspaper division, which generated ZWG342.8 million in revenue, swung from an operating profit of ZWG9.2 million to a ZWG10 million loss. Advertising volumes declined 14% as retail clients reduced spending and shifted budgets towards digital platforms.

Commercial printing recorded the sharpest deterioration, with revenue falling 44% to ZWG84.1 million and its operating loss widening to ZWG35.1 million from ZWG6.4 million.

The broadcasting division improved, with revenue rising to ZWG195.2 million and its operating loss narrowing from ZWG23.1 million to ZWG17.6 million. Radio volumes increased 45%, although ZTN volumes fell 35%.

Meanwhile, total liabilities rose 36.8% to ZWG342 million, while trade and other payables increased 40% to ZWG230.4 million.

Cash declined to ZWG5.4 million from ZWG11.2 million, while the group recorded a new bank overdraft of ZWG4.6 million and net borrowings of ZWG20.7 million from FBC Bank.

Net operating cash generation fell from ZWG29.9 million to ZWG21.1 million, against capital expenditure of ZWG24.6 million on digital transformation and machinery.

No dividend was declared, with the board citing subdued performance and the need to conserve working capital.