Zimbabwe Trade & Investment

Your Gateway to Business Opportunities in Southern Africa

Key Investment Sectors

Mining & Minerals

Zimbabwe is endowed with over 60 minerals and metals

  • Gold: 2nd largest gold reserves in Africa
  • Platinum: 2nd largest platinum deposits globally
  • Lithium: 5th largest lithium reserves worldwide
  • Diamonds: Significant diamond deposits
  • Chrome: High-grade chromite deposits
  • Coal: Extensive coal reserves for energy

Agriculture & Agribusiness

Fertile lands and favorable climate for diverse crops

  • Tobacco: Top quality flue-cured tobacco
  • Horticulture: Flowers, vegetables, citrus fruits
  • Cotton: High-quality cotton production
  • Livestock: Beef, dairy, poultry farming
  • Sugar: Large-scale sugar production
  • Tea & Coffee: Premium quality exports

Tourism & Hospitality

World-renowned tourist destinations

  • Victoria Falls - Natural Wonder of the World
  • Wildlife reserves and national parks
  • Hotel and resort development
  • Conference and MICE tourism
  • Adventure tourism infrastructure

Manufacturing

Strategic location for regional manufacturing hub

  • Food processing and beverages
  • Textiles and clothing
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Building materials
  • Chemical products
  • Metal fabrication

Infrastructure Development

Major infrastructure projects and PPP opportunities

  • Energy generation (solar, hydro, thermal)
  • Transport networks (road, rail)
  • Water and sanitation systems
  • Telecommunications
  • Housing and real estate

Financial Services

Growing financial sector with opportunities in:

  • Banking and microfinance
  • Insurance services
  • Capital markets
  • Fintech and digital payments
  • Investment funds

Investment Incentives

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

  • Corporate tax rate of 15% (compared to standard 25%)
  • 5-year tax holiday for new investments
  • Duty-free importation of raw materials and capital equipment
  • No restrictions on foreign currency accounts
  • 100% foreign ownership permitted

Export Processing Zones (EPZs)

  • 5-year corporate tax holiday
  • 15% corporate tax thereafter
  • Duty-free imports of capital goods
  • No customs duty on exports

General Investment Incentives

  • Investment allowances on capital expenditure
  • Special mining leases up to 25 years
  • Accelerated depreciation allowances
  • Loss carry-forward provisions
  • Double taxation agreements with multiple countries

International Trade

Major Exports

  • Gold and precious metals
  • Tobacco
  • Platinum group metals
  • Diamonds
  • Ferrochrome
  • Cotton
  • Sugar
  • Citrus fruits
  • Leather products
  • Cut flowers

Trade Agreements

  • SADC: Southern African Development Community member
  • COMESA: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
  • AfCFTA: African Continental Free Trade Area
  • ACP-EU: Economic Partnership Agreement with EU
  • Bilateral trade agreements with multiple countries

Export Procedures

  1. Register with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA)
  2. Obtain export license from relevant ministry
  3. Secure certificates of origin
  4. Complete customs documentation
  5. Arrange pre-shipment inspection if required

Starting a Business in Zimbabwe

Registration Process

  1. Name Search & Reservation
    • Apply at Companies Registry
    • Valid for 30 days
  2. Company Registration
    • Submit incorporation documents
    • Memorandum and Articles of Association
    • Processing time: 2-5 days
  3. Tax Registration
    • Register with ZIMRA for tax purposes
    • Obtain Tax Clearance Certificate
  4. Licenses and Permits
    • Sector-specific licenses
    • Trading license from local authority
    • Environmental permits if applicable
  5. Social Security Registration
    • Register with NSSA for employee benefits

Types of Business Entities

  • Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) - Most common for foreign investors
  • Public Limited Company (Ltd) - For larger operations
  • Branch Office - Extension of foreign company
  • Partnership - Two or more partners
  • Sole Proprietorship - Individual ownership

Economic Overview

GDP (2024 est.) $35 billion
GDP Growth Rate 3.5% (2024 projection)
Population 16.3 million
Currency Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) & Multi-currency
Main Trading Partners South Africa, China, UAE, Mozambique
Ease of Doing Business Improving with ongoing reforms

Investment Support

Get assistance with your investment plans

Contact Trade Office Find Embassy

Key Institutions

Zimbabwe Investment & Development Agency (ZIDA)

One-stop investment center
www.zida.co.zw

ZimTrade

National trade development
www.zimtrade.co.zw

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe

Central bank & monetary policy
www.rbz.co.zw

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority

Tax and customs
www.zimra.co.zw

Resources

Trade Statistics 2024

Total Exports:
$6.3 billion
Total Imports:
$7.8 billion
Top Export:
Gold (35% of exports)
FDI Inflows:
$745 million