Zimbabwe has made the important first steps to repairing its broken economy, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the proposals should encourage support from the international community.

Speaking at a summit of southern African finance ministers in Cape Town, AfDB President Donald Kaberuka said the bank was prepared to set up a donor meeting for Zimbabwe, but added that $5bn in foreign debt needed to be cleared in order to secure more aid.

"It will require that Zimbabwe comes forward with a credible economic programme. Now the first steps I have seen, listening to (Zimbabwean Finance) Minister Tendai Biti, is quite impressive and it merits support," said Kaberuka.

Zimbabwe is heavily dependent on securing foreign aid to deal with its economic crisis, however Western governments have voiced concern about financing the new unity government until economic reforms have been implemented.