Zimbabwe has raised $100 million for the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines as the southern African country struggles to contain the second wave of the pandemic which has already claimed more lives this year than the whole of last year.

In a statement to the press, Finance Secretary George Guvamatanga said, the southern African country has managed to mobilise the required vaccination funding up to $100 million.

He said the money will allow the country to inoculate about 60% of its population estimated to be around 15 million people.

He said Treasury was now awaiting the decision on which vaccine to procure and the source.

"As Treasury, we are ready with the funding and the funding structure worth $100 million to make sure that we procure the vaccines and save the lives of Zimbabweans.

Guvamatanga's statement comes as Zimbabwe extended its current lockdown by another two weeks to the 15th of February to combat the spread of the pandemic which has now affected more people than the first.

But a second wave came soon after the festive season and confirmed cases have increased to 32 952 and 1 178 deaths as of 29 January 2021.

Rising cases forced President Mnangagwa to impose another level 4 lockdown from the 5th of January to the end of the month.