Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has released the first investor regulatory bulletin of 2026, providing investors with key updates on statutory instruments and policy developments affecting the investment environment in the country.
The bulletin, spanning January to mid-February 2026, contains Statutory Instruments (SIs) published in 2026 to date, and has a significant bearing on both foreign and domestic direct investment in Zimbabwe.
The SIs provide details on road motor transportation, customs and excise (clothing, suspension, luggage ware manufacturers/manufactures, printing and packaging, electrical manufacturers), tourism and ZIDA (general investments and special economic zones)
The bulletin also has SIs on exchange control (cotton and tobacco finance).
Under Statutory Instrument 23 of 2026, [CAP. 23:04] Exchange Control (Cotton Finance) (Amendment) Order, 2026 (No.1), the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), together with the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, amended the Exchange Control (Cotton Finance) Order to liberalise the financing of seed cotton purchases.
In terms of the new arrangement, seed cotton merchants may now access offshore and onshore financing, use their own funds, or borrow from the local market to fund production and buybacks.
Although the purchase price for seed cotton remains denominated in United States dollars, the foreign/local currency settlement ratio will be determined by the RBZ.
According to ZIDA, the reform provided cotton merchants and agricultural value chain investors with greater financial flexibility.
“The ability to utilise local funds and offset financing costs against the purchase price is expected to enhance liquidity and operational efficiency in the sector,” said ZIDA.
The RBZ and the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion have also amended the Exchange Control (Tobacco Finance) Order in alignment with the changes introduced for the cotton sector.
“Under this amended framework, tobacco buyers may now access offshore and onshore financing for tobacco purchases,” said ZIDA.
“Contractors who finance A1 and A2 tobacco growers may also set off these financing amounts against the final purchase price.”.
The agency said a key change is that tobacco buyers are now classified as “exporters,” meaning foreign currency surrender requirements will apply only to their net export proceeds rather than gross proceeds.
“This adjustment is expected to significantly improve profitability and strengthen foreign currency management for investors in the tobacco industry.
“The increased flexibility in sourcing capital is also anticipated to enhance the financing of A1 and A2 growers,” said ZIDA.
Statutory Instrument 18 of 2026. [CAP. 14:38] Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Special Economic Zones) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 1) cut by half both the SEZ designation and SEZ operator permit from US$50 000 and US$20 000 to US$25 000 and US$10 000, respectively.
The SEZ investor licence was slashed from US$10 000 to US$4 000.
The revised framework is expected to make SEZ participation more affordable and to attract greater investment into the sector, said ZIDA.
ZIDA was established under Section 3 of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Act [Chapter 14:38], was formed on 7 February 2020 by consolidating three Government entities: the Zimbabwe Investment Agency (ZIA), the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority (ZIMSEZA), and the Joint Venture Unit under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
It is the central agency responsible for promoting and facilitating both local and foreign investment in Zimbabwe.
ZIDA operates as a one-stop investment services centre, streamlining the investor journey through coordinated service delivery.
