The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has proposed a gradual and sequenced compliance with reserved sector laws to avoid disrupting business operations and undermining investor confidence.
The call follows the gazetting by the Government of Statutory Instrument (SI) 215 of 2025, which sets out the qualifying criteria for participation by foreign nationals in certain sectors of the economy and introduces a mandatory regularisation framework
ZNCC endorsed the objectives of the regulations, but called for clarity, calibrated implementation and strong institutional coordination to safeguard investment and economic stability.
The lobby group said the implementation must take into account existing investments and operational realities.
It said the pace and structure of implementation will determine whether the policy strengthens domestic enterprise development or inadvertently constrains economic activity.
Under SI 215 of 2025, 13 sectors have been exclusively reserved for Zimbabweans.
These include artisanal and small-scale mining, barber shops, hairdressing and beauty salons, employment agencies, valet services, passenger transport services such as buses, taxis, and car hire, customs clearing, tobacco grading and packaging, bakeries, advertising agencies, estate agencies, pharmaceutical retailing, borehole drilling and marketing and distribution of local arts and crafts.
ZNCC said that a compressed transition timeline could create compliance pressures, particularly for companies with complex shareholding structures and long-term contractual obligations.
Affected businesses were last month given 30 days from December 11, 2025, to submit plans to the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Unit.
Under the directive, affected investors must begin divest at least 75 percent of their equity to Zimbabwean citizens over three years, with a minimum of 25 percent to be transferred annually.
ZNCC also stressed the need for policy predictability, urging authorities to provide clear operational guidelines and harmonised interpretation across regulators to avoid inconsistencies in enforcement.
It also offered to assist the Government in refining the implementation modalities in a manner that achieves the empowerment objectives without destabilising economic activity.
Foreign nationals operating in the reserved sectors must submit regularisation plans to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce by February 17, 2026.
The regulations prescribe investment and employment thresholds for foreign participation in selected activities.-herald
