THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce 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 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.
In retail and wholesale trade, foreign investors must employ a minimum of 200 workers and invest at least US$25 million to qualify, while in grain milling, the thresholds are set at a minimum of 100 employees and an investment of at least US$20 million.
Speaking at the ZNCC Reserve Sectors Breakfast meeting in Harare, ZNCC president yesterday, Mr Tapiwa Karoro, said the private sector supports the regulations’ economic empowerment thrust, but seeks clarity on implementation, citing the need for a balanced approach sensitive to the need for stability, investment and business continuity.“The private sector supports the principle of economic empowerment. There is a broad consensus that Zimbabweans must be meaningful participants in their own economy and that principle has never been in dispute.
Transition arrangements require careful calibration, reform and objectives must be balanced with economic stability, investment protection and business continuity.
“Gradualism is not a policy weakness.
“Businesses are requesting precise and practical guidance on how the policy will be interpreted and applied. While Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025 provides a schedule of reserved sectors and thresholds, members remain uncertain about definitions, sector boundaries, exemptions and the treatment of integrated business models,” said Mr Karoro.
ZNCC vice president for Mashonaland, Mr Ephraim Chawoneka, said the process needed clarification.
“If implemented, the reserved sector policy presents a pathway to reconfigure domestic value chains, expand local enterprise participation and strengthen indigenous business development. It can stimulate domestic investment, encourage formalisation and reduce economic leakages in sectors where citizens possess latent or underutilised capacity.
“There is a strong case for enhanced legal and operational clarification. This includes sector-specific guidelines, technical definitions and harmonised interpretation frameworks. Clarity reduces disputes. Predictability encourages compliance,” said Mr Chawoneka.
The regulations mark a renewed push by the Government to empower local entrepreneurs and small businesses, to avoid being crowded out by foreign players in low-barrier sectors.
However, effective implementation and clear communication will be key to maintaining investor confidence during the transition period-herald
