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Export Market

Zimbabwe

ISO: ZW / ZWE

Country Profile

Capital Harare
Population 17.1M
GDP $41.5B (2024)
GDP per Capita $2,497
Income Level Lower-Middle Income
Currency Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL $)
Language Chibarwe
Timezone UTC+02:00
Region Africa · Southern Africa

Trade Partners

Zimbabwe Exports To

  • UAE 45.0%
  • China 18.0%
  • South Africa 15.0%
  • Mozambique 4.0%
  • Hong Kong 2.0%

Key exports: gold, tobacco, nickel, minerals, diamonds (2023)

Zimbabwe Imports From

  • South Africa 37.0%
  • China 15.0%
  • The 5.0%
  • Singapore 5.0%
  • UAE 4.0%

Key imports: refined petroleum, fertilizers, trucks, soybean oil, stone processing machines (2023)

Economic Overview

low income Sub-Saharan economy; political instability and endemic corruption have prevented reforms and stalled debt restructuring; new Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency latest effort to combat ongoing hyperinflation; reliant on natural resource extraction, agriculture and remittances

Government: presidential republic

UK Trade Status

FTA in Force

The UK has a free trade agreement with Zimbabwe, providing preferential market access for UK exporters.

Trade Barriers

11 active barriers affecting UK exporters

UK investors face challenges around property rights which inhibits capital investment and financing of renewable projects in Zimbabwe

In order to acquire land in Zimbabwe investors must ensure another claim is not made on it, which can be costly. Secondly, if leasing state land, time should be allowed to agree and sign a Land Lease Agreements with the …

Sectors: Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets, Energy

Reported: 7 Jan 2021

UK exporters and investors face challenges in getting their money out of Zimbabwe

Foreign currency can only be formally repatriated via a foreign currency auction. It is not freely traded. The central bank issues a priority list of essential imports that can access foreign currency. Non-essential offshore payments have to joing a queue …

Reported: 7 Jan 2021

Foreign currency cannot be held for more than 30 days in Zimbabwe

There is a 30 day limit for exporters to liquidate excess foreign currency receipts. If foreign exporters do not use up the foreign currency within 30 days of receipt, it will be converted to Zimbabwean dollars at the prevailing interbank …

Reported: 7 Jan 2021

After approvals UK exporters and investors face long waits to get their money out of Zimbabwe

Approval to repatriate funds must be obtained from the Reserve Bank. Once approval from the Reserve Bank has been obtained an authorised dealer must be used to perform the transaction. Foreign currency is purchased on the interbank market.

Reported: 7 Jan 2021

High inflation affecting power purchase agreements in Zimbabwe

A significant weakening of Zimbabwe's domestic currency has resulted in noncompetitive feed in tariffs in some power purchase agreements. This has reduced the return on investment and profitability of investors into the renewable energy sector.

Sectors: Energy

Reported: 7 Jan 2021

View all 11 barriers on GOV.UK →

Geographic Region

Africa

Trading Bloc Memberships

Zimbabwe is a member of the following trade agreements and economic blocs.

AfCFTA African Continental Free Trade Area Free Trade Area COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Free Trade Area UK Agreement

Export Guidance

Relevant guidance for exporting to Zimbabwe.

Start Your Export Journey

Export to the EU after Brexit Start exporting from the UK Manage your export compliance

Also in This Region

🇩🇿 Algeria 🇧🇼 Botswana FTA 🇨🇲 Cameroon FTA 🇪🇬 Egypt FTA 🇸🇿 Eswatini FTA 🇪🇹 Ethiopia 🇬🇭 Ghana FTA 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast FTA

Official Resources

Government export support for Zimbabwe.

great.gov.uk Market Guide → GOV.UK Country Information →
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