Changes in episodes caused by natural disasters or policies have a bearing on the overall performance of any economy. This chapter explores issues that had an impact on Zimbabwean economy through the country’s history from 1987 up to 2020. Historically, Zimbabwe went through various episodes and policies that negatively affected its economy and ultimately its citizens. These episodes include cycles of drought, currency crisis and cyclones in the early 2000, economic structural adjustment programme in the early1990s, disbursement of war veterans’ gratuities in the late 1990s, the black Friday, labour unrest and food riots, land reform, the Look East Policy and the diamond rush in Chiadzwa. It is evident that the unfolding of these events or episodes negatively affected the Zimbabwean economy. Some of the after effects from these episodes that contributed to the poor performance of the country are still ravaging the economy even up to today. Examining each of the episodes provides a solid understanding of the issues at stake that impacted the Zimbabwean economy. Additionally, it offers a classic example of how a developing country can miss a golden opportunity to curve a sustainable development trajectory.