Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
The Government says Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026, which consolidates import licensing requirements under a single framework, is meant to support the growth of local industry and improve the ease of doing business.
The legislation amends the Control of Goods (Import and Export) Regulations by combining products that already required import permits under various previous measures into a unified system.
Under the revised framework, a wide range of products now fall under the import licensing regime, including cement clinker, footwear, textbooks, noodles and toilet paper, which the Government says Zimbabwe has the capacity to produce locally.
The expanded list includes selected agricultural products, processed foods, packaging materials, steel products and pharmaceuticals, among others, all of which now require prior approval before importation.
The Government maintains that the policy is not an outright ban on imports but rather a mechanism to manage them in a way that supports domestic production.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, said the consolidation is designed to simplify regulatory compliance procedures for businesses by reducing fragmentation and administrative complexity.
“The SI 59 of 2026 consolidates what was already requiring an import permit into one SI to allow the ease of doing business. We have included other items such as clinker, shoes, textbooks, noodles and toilet paper to mention a few. We have the capacity to produce locally.
“I hasten to say the SI 59 of 2026 is just an import management mechanism allowing local companies to produce and we only permit imports to complement what is not produced locally,” said Dr Utete-Wushe.
These latest regulations repeal several statutory instruments issued previously, effectively replacing them with a single consolidated framework.
The measures are consistent with Zimbabwe’s import substitution strategy, which seeks to reduce reliance on foreign goods, conserve foreign currency and stimulate domestic manufacturing.
This move could stimulate growth in the manufacturing and agro-processing sectors by shielding local producers from excessive and unfair foreign competition.
Economist Mr Tony Chipanga said the introduction of the new SI cuts bureaucracy, costs and makes business easier
“Consolidation of this nature has been implemented in countries such as the UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore. It reduces bureaucracy and duplication, which ultimately lowers fees for forms and improves the ease of doing business,” said Mr Chipanga.
Consumer rights advocate and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) Ms Rosemary Mpofu, said transparent and efficient implementation of the policy could strengthen supply chains, support local production, and stabilise markets while protecting consumers from substandard goods.
“Consumers can expect short-term supply disruptions and upward pressure on prices, particularly where small-scale importers are sidelined.
“Over the medium to long term, if implemented transparently and efficiently, the measure could improve product safety, strengthen regulated supply chains and support local production, stabilising markets and protecting consumers from substandard goods,” said Ms Mpofu.
According to the Gazette, an import application fee of US$100, or the equivalent in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate of exchange, shall be payable by an applicant before the issuance of an import licence and the Permanent Secretary will not issue any licence until the applicant has produced proof of such payment.
An export application fee of US$50 or the equivalent in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate of exchange shall be payable by an applicant before the issuance of an export licence.
Player in the retail industry, Mr Innocent Marimo, said the US$100 licence fee for importers under SI 59 of 2026 adds costs, clashing with efforts to simplify business regulations.
“The introduction of the $100 import licence application fee under Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026 effectively raises the cost of compliance for importers, particularly those dealing in multiple product lines.
“Most importantly, at a time when the Government is making concerted efforts to streamline fees and regulations to improve the ease of doing business, the introduction of additional administrative layers and costs such as this may require reconsideration to ensure policy consistency,” said Mr Marimo.
However, the success of the policy will depend on the capacity of local industries to meet demand in terms of volume, quality and pricing competitiveness.
These new regulations come as the government continues to intensify efforts to support industrialisation, narrow the trade deficit and promote value addition within the domestic economy.
