Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (ZIDA) chief executive officer Tafadzwa Chinamo says the country is leveraging its demographic dividend as it positions itself as a premier outsourcing hub connecting European and Asian time zones.
Chinamo revealed this in his remarks contained in the authority’s report for the first quarter of the year, where he highlighted that this premises-based model, supported by targeted fiscal incentives, enables the country to tap into global outsourcing value chains and further strengthens its competitive positioning.
“As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, I am pleased to report that the ZIDA has made significant and measurable progress in strengthening the investment environment, despite a challenging global economic and geopolitical landscape. This progress has been driven by key policy developments, enhanced investor engagement, and improvements in investment facilitation.
“The Agency’s international engagements continue to yield tangible outcomes. Deepened relationships with Kenya and Ghana through Joint Permanent Commissions, together with collaboration with UNCTAD on the Investment Single Window prototype, are helping to streamline the investor journey,” he said.
During the quarter under review, the Agency recorded mixed performance in investment licensing, with the number of new licences issued declining by 32.2 percent and total projected investment value decreasing by 59.6 percent year-on-year.
According to the report, there was a notable shift in the structure and quality of investment, with a 62 percent increase in projected investment value compared to the previous quarter, driven by fewer but more capital-intensive projects.
“Domestic direct investments increased significantly, with contributions rising by 2,406 percent from US$4.08 million to US$102.38 million, indicating stronger domestic involvement and joint venture activity. The capital structure also shifted, with capital equipment imports accounting for 46 percent of total investment, followed by foreign currency cash injections at 25 percent and foreign loans at 22 percent. This reflected sustained investor confidence alongside increased use of leveraged financing,” Chinamo said.
He also indicated that encouraging progress was recorded in licence renewals, with total renewals increasing by 53 percent and timely renewals improving to 22 percent, reflecting the impact of strengthened monitoring and follow-up initiatives.
“This reflects a shift from procedural transparency towards the automation and integration of Government services, which is essential for modern investment facilitation. The development of the National Investment Single Window, anchored on the e-Regulations platform, is expected to further improve efficiency, transparency, and coordination across Government,” he said.
A key milestone during the period under review was the approval of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Guideline by Cabinet, which provides a clear and standardised framework for the preparation, appraisal, and implementation of PPP projects.
“This is a significant development for Zimbabwe’s investment landscape, as it enhances transparency, improves coordination across Government, and strengthens investor confidence through clearer processes and risk allocation mechanisms. The guideline is expected to accelerate infrastructure delivery and create a more predictable and structured environment for private sector participation,” Chinamo said.
As the Agency continues to advance, reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business such as significant fee reductions, were enacted under the ZIDA General Investments (S.I. 17 of 2026) and Special Economic Zones (S.I. 18 of 2026) Regulations.
The downward review of licensing fees was a deliberate intervention to reduce the cost of entry and enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness, reaffirming the country’s commitment to being a cost-competitive investment destination and signalling that Zimbabwe is open for business.
New Ziana
