Harare, (New Ziana) -Zimbabwe has taken a decisive step toward economic protectionism through the introduction of Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 of 2026, a sweeping piece of legislation set to reshape the import and export landscape of the country.
Through its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) X handle, the government said the recently gazetted law, formally known as the Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 15), consolidates trade controls while expanding the list of goods requiring import licences, marking one of the most significant policy shifts in recent years.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the regulation is aimed at promoting domestic production, safeguarding foreign currency reserves, and aligning trade policy with national development priorities. Analysis by Lucent Consultancy indicates that SI 59 signals a clear move away from previously liberalised trade regimes toward a more state-managed model.
“The recent introduction of Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 of 2026 (formally cited as the Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 15) represents a major shift in Zimbabwe’s trade policy,” the government said.
At the heart of the policy are three strategic objectives, namely protecting local industries from cheap imports, reducing the outflow of scarce foreign currency, and strengthening economic sovereignty in line with the National Development Strategy 2 and the government’s Vision 2030 agenda.
The government noted that one of the most notable changes is the consolidation of 16 separate Statutory Instruments into a single regulatory framework, adding that this will simplify compliance procedures, cut administrative costs, and provide businesses with a clearer, centralised reference point for regulated goods.
It said the law also significantly broadens the range of controlled products with items such as cement clinker, iron and steel products, engineering components, noodles, pasta, toiletries, footwear and textbooks now requiring specific import licences, replacing their previous status under the Open General Import Licence (OGIL).
In a move that has drawn both public health and economic interest, the government has also imposed a strict ban on the importation of second-hand underwear, while tightening controls on other used clothing to promote hygiene and revive the struggling local textile sector.
It emphasised that the issuance of import licences will be guided by clear criteria, including product quality standards, the potential economic impact of the imports, and the compliance history of applicants.
Economists note that by placing key inputs such as cement clinker and finished goods like footwear under tighter controls, the government is effectively enforcing a “buy local” approach. This is expected to stimulate domestic value chains and improve capacity utilisation in local factories.
However, industry experts caution that the success of SI 59 will hinge on the readiness of local manufacturers to meet increased demand. If production capacity falls short, consumers could face short-term price increases or supply shortages, particularly in construction materials and selected food products.
Despite these concerns, authorities maintain that SI 59 represents a milestone in regulatory reform, positioning Zimbabwe’s economy for more sustainable, locally driven growth.
New Ziana
