Investment licences and support

General investment licence

To obtain a General Investment Licence in Zimbabwe, investors must apply through the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA). The process involves paying the application fees, receiving an approval notification, and then paying for and collecting the licence. This licence allows investors to establish, operate, and manage businesses outside Special Economic Zones and is valid for 1 to 3 years depending on the investment type. It provides key protections under the ZIDA Act, including safeguards against expropriation, equal treatment for foreign and local investors and profit repatriation rights. Investors also benefit from streamlined business facilitation services through the One Stop Investment Services Centre at ZIDA

General investment licence

Investor Grievance Response Mechanism

Lodging a Grievance

The Investment Grievance Response Mechanism (IGRM) is established by ZIDA to avoid divestment and prevent disputes between investors and the State (including Ministries, Government departments or public entities, called “MDAs”) The simple 3-step process involves submitting a grievance, receiving processing notification and obtaining recommended remedial action. This streamlined procedure is handled entirely through ZIDA's IGRM system.

Establish a New Special Economic Zone

Investors wishing to establish a new special Economic Zone will be required to obtain: a SEZ Designation certificate, a Developer Permits and an Operator Permit issued by Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA). The three have to be applied for concurrently, either by one party or by multiple parties who have signed the required agreements with one another.

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Designation Certificate allows a specific area of land to be recognized as a Special Economic Zone. This designation provides special incentives to attract investment and promote economic growth. It is granted to landowners or long-term leaseholders who want to develop the area for industrial or commercial use under a more flexible regulatory framework.

An SEZ Developer Permit is an authorization to entities that wish to develop and manage infrastructure within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). It allows the permit holder to build and operate facilities like industrial parks or logistics hubs, attract investors, and benefit from SEZ incentives.

An SEZ Operator Permit is issued to businesses that want to run operations within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). It allows companies to carry out activities like manufacturing, warehousing, or service provision while benefiting from SEZ incentives. The permit ensures that the operator meets regulatory standards and contributes to the economic goals of the SEZ.