Zimbabwe’s government has taken a significant step towards empowering its citizens with the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 215 of 2015, the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sectors) Regulations, 2025. The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu gazetted the regulations in terms of section 21 of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act {Chapter 14:33}.
The regulations introduce a two-tier system, reserving certain sectors exclusively for Zimbabweans while allowing foreign participation in others with specific thresholds. The regulations are a key step towards realising President Mnangagwa’a vision of an empowered and prosperous Zimbabwe by 2030 where all citizens have opportunities to thrive.
The sectors reserved exclusively for Zimbabweans include transportation, barber shops, employment agencies, estate agencies, valet services, bakeries, tobacco grading and packaging, advertising agencies, local arts and craft marketing, artisanal mining, borehole drilling, and clearing and customs.
For foreign investors, the government has set thresholds for certain sectors. Retail and wholesale trade, for instance, requires a minimum of 200 full-time employees and a $20 million investment. Grain milling requires at least 50 employees and a $25 million investment, while haulage and logistics needs 100 employees and a $10 million investment. Shipping and forwarding requires 20 full-time employees and a $1 million investment.
By setting clear thresholds and reserved sectors, the government aims to create a conducive environment for local businesses to thrive while also attracting foreign investment that aligns with the country’s development goals. This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting local participation in the economy and ensuring that Zimbabweans benefit from the country’s resources.
