Doing Business
in Zimbabwe.
in Zimbabwe.
A practical guide to market entry, establishment, tax, banking, employment and compliance — with the WCS advisory services that apply at each stage.
Head Office — Harare
Navigating Zimbabwe’s regulatory and investment landscape.
Founded in Harare in 2013, Walker Consulting Services combines direct Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, ZIMRA and ministerial experience to provide unparalleled regulatory clarity and execution for investors in Zimbabwe.
Market Entry
Zimbabwe operates a guided investment framework administered by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA). Foreign investors require prior registration and, depending on the sector, may need a ZIDA investment licence before commencing operations. Certain sectors — mining, banking, insurance and media — require additional ministerial consent.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Market intelligence and opportunity assessment
- Investment structure advisory (JV, subsidiary, branch)
- ZIDA registration and licensing
- Sector-specific regulatory approvals
Establishment
Company registration is administered by the Companies and Other Business Entities Act (COBE). A private business corporation or private company is the most common vehicle for a foreign investor. The process covers name reservation, Memorandum of Association filing, tax registration and opening a corporate bank account — each with its own agency and timeline.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Company registration and corporate secretarial
- Tax registration (ZIMRA)
- Bank account facilitation
- Operational readiness advisory
Taxation
Zimbabwe imposes corporate tax at 25% (24% for listed companies), VAT at 15%, and a range of withholding taxes on dividends, royalties and management fees paid to non-residents. Exchange control regulations govern the repatriation of dividends and require Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) approval for capital transactions above prescribed thresholds.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Corporate and cross-border tax advisory
- Transfer pricing documentation
- Exchange control and RBZ liaison
- VAT registration and compliance
- Digital services tax advisory
Banking & Exchange Control
Zimbabwe maintains a dual-currency environment. Corporate banking requires RBZ-authorised forex accounts for foreign currency transactions. Investors must register their inward investment with the RBZ Exchange Control directorate within 30 days of introduction of funds. All capital repatriation requires a supporting RBZ application.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Exchange control compliance
- Inward investment registration
- Capital repatriation applications
- Banking introduction and facilitation
Employment
The Labour Act governs employment relations in Zimbabwe. Work permits are issued through the Department of Immigration; the prevailing requirement is that foreign nationals fill roles for which no suitable Zimbabwean candidate is demonstrably available. Payroll obligations include PAYE, NSSA contributions and skills development levies.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Work permits and employment immigration
- Payroll setup and PAYE compliance
- NSSA registration
- Labour Act advisory
Ongoing Compliance
Zimbabwean businesses are subject to quarterly provisional tax returns, annual income tax returns, monthly VAT returns and monthly payroll filings. Transfer pricing documentation is required for cross-border related-party transactions. Annual statutory audits and COBE annual returns are also mandatory.
WCS advisory at this stage
- Monthly accounting and BPO
- Tax compliance and ZIMRA returns
- Transfer pricing compliance
- Annual audit support
- Corporate secretarial maintenance
Doing Business in Zambia.
WCS maintains a direct presence in Lusaka, Zambia. Our Zambia gateway guide covers the equivalent landscape for investors entering or expanding in Zambia.
View the Zambia GatewayReady to enter Zimbabwe?
Speak to our team about structuring your market entry.
Building Confidence for Investment in Africa