The Ministry of Industry and Commerce wishes to conscientise all stakeholders, investors and the general public on the recently promulgated Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025 (SI 215 of 2025), which streamlines foreign participation in designated “Reserved Sectors” of the economy. These regulations seek to preserve specific economic spaces for Zimbabwean citizens while ensuring that foreign investment is channelled toward high-impact, capital-intensive industrialisation.
1. Exclusively Reserved Sectors
In terms of SI 215 of 2025 there are 13 sectors exclusively reserved for Zimbabwean citizens:
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Artisanal and small-scale mining;
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Barber shops, hair dressing and beauty salons.
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Employment agencies
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Valet services;
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Transportation: passenger buses, taxis and car hire services
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Customs clearing;
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Tobacco grading and packaging;
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Bakeries;
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Advertising agencies;
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Estate agencies;
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Pharmaceutical retailing;
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Borehole drilling;
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Provision of local arts and craft. Marketing and distribution.
Foreign nationals operating in the reserved sectors shall, within a period of three years, dispose a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) shareholding to Zimbabwean citizens. This disposal shall occur in annual batches of a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) per annum, such that the foreign investor’s retained shareholding does not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) at the expiration of the three-year period.
2. Thresholds for selected Reserved Sectors
Foreign investors may only participate in specific reserved sectors listed below if they meet the prescribed minimum investment and employment thresholds:
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Retail and Wholesale Trade: Minimum of 200 employees and a minimum investment of US$ 20,000,000.
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Grain Milling: Minimum of 50 employees and a minimum investment of US$ 25,000,000.
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Haulage and Logistics Industry: Minimum of 100 employees and a minimum investment of US$ 10,000,000.
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Shipping and forwarding: Minimum of 20 employees and a minimum investment of US$ 1,000,000.
3. Mandatory Regularisation and Divestment
All foreign nationals currently operating in the reserved sectors without meeting these thresholds are required to adhere to the following transitional framework:
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Regularisation Plan: Existing businesses have 30 days (from 02 January 2026) to submit a regularisation plan to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
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Equity Dilution: Foreign operators must divest at least 75% of their equity to Zimbabwean citizens over a three-year period, in annual instalments of no less than 25% per annum.
The Ministry shall consider an application for operation in the reserved sectors within sixty (60) days and may request additional information from the applicant, if necessary. All applications must be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and submitted through any of our nearest offices throughout the whole country.
Manufacturing companies are hereby notified to utilize the correct channel of distributing manufactured products as only locally owned businesses are allowed to operate in the retailing and wholesaling sector.
Inserted on Sunday 21 December 2025
Mukwati Building,
Cnr Livingstone Ave and Fifth Street,
P. Bag 7740,
Causeway, Harare,
Tel: 242707540/791823/702737/702733
Website: www.mic.gov.zw
Email: info@mic.gov.zw
X: @Min_of_IC
