Online Reporter
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has thrown its weight behind the Government’s reserved sector policy support legislation, describing the new regulations as a timely move that will protect local businesses while still allowing meaningful foreign investment.
Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sectors) Regulations, 2025, issued through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, spells out sectors set aside for Zimbabwean citizens and provides specific guidelines and conditions for foreign investor participation in certain reserved areas of the economy.
In a statement, CZR president Denford Mutashu, said the policy struck an important balance between empowering locals and attracting long-term capital into the country.
“These regulations seek to preserve specific economic spaces for Zimbabwean citizens while ensuring that foreign investment is channelled toward high-impact, capital-intensive industrialisation,” said Mr Mutashu.
Under the new regulations, 13 sectors have been set aside exclusively for Zimbabwean citizens.
These are artisanal and small-scale mining, transport services such as taxis and car hire, barber shops and beauty salons, bakeries, employment agencies, customs clearing, pharmaceutical retailing, real estate agencies, borehole drilling and the provision of arts and crafts.
The policy also requires foreign-owned businesses currently operating in the reserved sectors to gradually reduce their shareholding. According to the regulations, foreign investors must dispose of at least 75 percent of their shares to Zimbabwean citizens over three years, at a minimum of 25 percent per year.
CZR said this structured approach provided clarity and avoided disruption in the market, protects local enterprise, promotes fair competition and lays a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth,” he said.
CZR said it remained ready to work with the Government and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of the regulations and to maximise benefits for the economy and ordinary Zimbabweans.
