The Government of Zimbabwe has officially repealed regulations mandating that telecommunications licensees maintain at least 75% local ownership, a significant policy reversal just weeks after the rules were initially introduced. The repeal was formalized through Statutory Instrument (SI) 111 of 2026, signed by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, effectively nullifying the ownership requirements previously outlined in SI 101 of 2026. The original regulations, gazetted on June 12, 2026, had stipulated a minimum of 75% indigenous Zimbabwean ownership for all telecommunications licence holders and required existing licensees to submit compliance plans within 30 days and achieve full compliance within two years. This abrupt withdrawal of the mandatory local ownership requirement is expected to alleviate concerns among foreign investors and multinational telecommunications operators, enhancing the country’s appeal for capital in the ICT sector. While the government has not yet provided detailed public reasons for the reversal, industry stakeholders had expressed worries that the ownership requirements could deter foreign direct investment and complicate efforts to expand telecommunications infrastructure and digital services. This move marks a notable shift in Zimbabwe’s telecommunications policy, offering greater flexibility for both local and international investors.
Key Players Involved
- Government of Zimbabwe: Enacted and subsequently repealed the telecommunications ownership regulations.
- Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services: Signed Statutory Instrument (SI) 111 of 2026 formalizing the repeal.
- Foreign Investors & Multinational Telecommunications Operators: Directly impacted by the policy changes, now facing fewer investment restrictions.
Event Timeline
- June 12, 2026: Original regulations (SI 101 of 2026) gazetted, mandating 75% local ownership.
- July 6, 2026: Repeal formalized through Statutory Instrument (SI) 111 of 2026.
