Population (2019, millions)¹	14.64
Population Projections (2030, millions)¹	17.59
Economically active population in agriculture (as % of Economically active population)12, 2019	50
Capital	Harare
Surface Area (km²)²	390,760
Weather¹¹	In Harare: Hottest months, October and November, 16-27°C; coldest months, June and July, 7-21°C (average daily minimum and maximum); driest month, July, 1 mm average rainfall; wettest month, January, 196 mm average rainfall
Languages³	Official: Shona, Ndebele, English, and minority official including Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa
Main Religions³	Main: Protestant (Apostolic, Pentecostal and other protestant), Roman Catholic, other Christian, Muslim, tradition, others and none
Time⁴	Central Africa Time (CAT) +0200 UTC
Driving Orientation⁵	Left Side
Internet Country Code⁶	.zw
Country Calling Code	+263
Plug, Socket and Voltage⁷	Type D and G - 220V/50Hz
Currency	US Dollar (USD) - 1/100 = Cent
Exchange Rate (As of 19 February 2019, per USD)⁸	N/A
GDP at Market Prices (2018, current, billions of USD)⁹	31
GDP Growth (2018, annual %)⁹	6.16
Average GDP Growth (2014-2018, annual %)⁹	3.15
GDP per Capita, PPP (2018, current international $)⁹	3,024
Inflation, Consumer Prices (2017, annual %)⁹	0.90
Average Inflation, Consumer Prices (2013-2017, annual %)⁹	(0.32)
Total Reserves in Months of Imports (2017)⁹	0.5

Sources:

¹United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 

²COMESA Statistics, COMESTAT Data Hub. 

³CIA World Factbook. 

⁴Time and Date Portal. 

⁵Chartsbin Portal, "Worldwide Driving Orientation by Country". 

⁶Wikipedia, "List of Internet top-level domains"; and, Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, Root Zone Database. 

⁷International Electrotechnical Commission, World Plugs. 

⁸Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

⁹ World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.

¹¹Economist Intelligence Unit. 

¹²AFDB Socio Economic Database

• Establishment of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency; a more facilitative and investor friendly One Stop Investment Services Centre for investment promotion, facilitation, nurturing and retention. 
• Highly skilled and literate workers 
• Centrally and strategically located in the Southern African Region 
• Regional gateway (North-South Corridor)
• Regional logistics hub supported by infrastructure such as railways, roads, power, telecoms 
• Natural resources endowment 
• Diversified economy – manufacturing, services, agriculture, mining and tourism 
• Rejuvenated economy and domestic market
• Political stability 
• Fully liberalized current account 
• Free remittance of dividends 
• Pro-Market policies 
• Existence of Investment promotion and protection agreements

Population Projections (millions)

Population (2019)	14.64
Population Projections (2030)	17.59

Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 

Population Residing in Urban Areas (%)

Population Projections (2019)	32.21
Percentage of Population Residing in Urban Areas (2030)	34.23

Source: United Nations Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 

Youth Literacy Rates (2017, %)

Youth Literacy Rate, Population 15-24 Years, Both Sexes

Youth Literacy Rate, Population 15-24 Years, Female

Youth Literacy Rate, Population 15-24 Years, Male

Source: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO Institute of Statistics.

Unemployment (2018, % of Total Labour Force)

Unemployment, Total	4.91
Unemployment, Female	5.42
Unemployment, Male	4.42

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.

Labour Force (2018, % of Ages 15+)

Labour Force Participation Rate, Total	83.54
Labour Force Participation Rate, Female	78.56
Labour Force Participation Rate, Male	88.99
Labour Force, Total (number)	6,948,204

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.

GDP

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
GDP at Market Prices (current, billions of USD)	19.49	19.96	20.54	22.81	31
GDP Growth (annual %)	2.37	1.77	0.75	4.7	6.16

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators 2019.

Value Added by Sector (% of GDP)

Indicator	2018	2019
Agriculture	13.49	13.76
Manufacturing	11.90	11.67
Industry	29.86	29.52
Services	75.64	75.72
Construction	3.58	3.58
Electricity, gas and water	4.53	4.56
Mining and quarrying	9.86	9.71
Education	14.85	15.10
Finance, real estate and business services	12.37	11.92
Public administration and Defense	12.49	12.67
Health and Social Work	3.19	3.26
Other services	3.84	3.82
Transport, storage and communication	12.37	12.39
Wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants	17.29	17.35

Source: AFDB Socio Economic Database.

Import Partners (Imported Value, thousands, USD)

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
World	6,415,988	6,045,862	5,322,157	5,165,089	6,468,767
South Africa	2,754,270	2,326,521	2,176,772	2,042,230	2,523,514
Singapore	1,168,028	1,338,413	1,118,087	1,105,362	1,359,314
China	404,055	460,227	370,913	458,922	413,742
United Kingdom	210,395	98,001	92,452	115,401	227,674
Japan	155,110	129,911	100,569	124,669	217,078

Source: COMSTAT database

Export Partners (Exported Value, thousands, USD)

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
World	3,871,574	3,410,659	3,341,151	3,483,611	4,037,945
South Africa	2,016,338	2,060,870	2,265,839	2,154,109	2,073,131
United Arab Emirates	96,056	147,837	116,683	222,944	731,911
Unspecified	804,117	577,551	487,528	525,278	594,383
Mozambique	574,122	408,254	266,409	363,538	384,465
Zambia	95,070	86,491	69,585	56,928	63,176

Source: COMSTAT database

Zimbabwe’s Top Import Products (USD ‘000)

Chapter	Description	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
	All products	6,415,988	6,045,862	5,322,157	5,165,089	6,468,767
27	Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes	1,567,430	1,581,847	1,502,883	1,501,012	1,870,363
84	Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof	489,204	481,289	408,651	520,387	666,058
87	Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock, and parts and accessories thereof	545,847	460,054	342,863	350,519	603,818
31	Fertilizers	269,314	184,794	120,323	217,684	325,155
10	Cereals	331,649	409,879	517,921	361,764	269,708

Source: COMSTAT database

Zimbabwe’s Top Export Products (USD ‘000)

Chapter	Description	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
	All products	3,871,574	3,410,659	3,341,151	3,483,611	4,037,945
71	Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal, and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin	1,102,188	940,877	1,023,718	1,019,732	1,347,399
24	Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes	843,265	907,606	927,177	838,795	893,113
75	Nickel and articles thereof	570,214	428,935	434,404	436,209	525,294
26	Ores, slag and ash	368,006	339,408	380,973	469,623	497,182
72	Iron and steel	283,582	176,746	123,958	282,049	251,778

Source: COMSTAT database

FDI Inflows (millions of USD)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
FDI Inflows	545	421	372	349	745

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2019

FDI Inward Stock (millions of USD)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
FDI Inward Stock	212	252	241	242	243

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2019

FDI Outward Stock (millions of USD)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
FDI Outflows	72.0	22.0	28.8	42.2	26.8

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2019

FDI Inward Stock (millions of USD)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
FDI Inward Stock	3,546	3,967	4,339	4,688	5,433

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2019.

FDI Outward Stock (millions of USD)

Year	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
FDI Outward Stock	487	509	538	580	607

Source: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, World Investment Report 2019.

FDI Inflows Main Source Countries (in terms of number of projects)

South Africa, UK, China, Togo, Botswana, India, Canada, Netherlands, Russia, and Switzerland.

Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018

Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018

Financial Services, Metals, Communications, Food & Tobacco, Coal, Oil and Natural Gas, Minerals, Renewable energy, Real Estate, Business Services, and Beverages.

Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018

FDI Inflows Main Companies (in terms of number of projects)

Ecobank Zimbabwe, BancABC Zimbabwe, ZTS International Industrial (G-Tide), Choppies Zimbabwe, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, Telecel Zimbabwe, Lesaffre Zimbabwe, MBCA Bank, Ruschrome Mining, and deVere & Partners (deVere Group).

Source: Financial Times, fDi Markets, 2018

Overall Doing Business Ranking

2020	140/190
2019	155/190

Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020

Starting a Business

2020 Rank	167/190
Procedures (number)	9
Time (days)	27
Cost (% of income per capita*)	76.6
Paid-in Minimum Capital (% of income per capita*)	0.0

*GNI per capita used: USD 1,790
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020

Paying Taxes

2020 Rank	146/190
Payments (number per year)	51
Time (hours per year)	242
Total Tax Rate (% of profit)	31.6
Profit Tax (% of profit)	17.6
Labor Tax and Contributions (% of profit)	5.6
Other Taxes (% of profit)	8.3

Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020

Trading Across Borders

2020 Rank	159/190
Time to Export: Border Compliance (hours)	88
Cost to Export: Border Compliance (USD)	285
Time to Export: Documentary Compliance (hours)	99
Cost to Export: Documentary Compliance (USD)	170
Time to Import: Border Compliance (hours)	228
Cost to Import: Border Compliance (USD)	562
Time to Import: Documentary Compliance (hours)	81
Cost to Import: Documentary Compliance (USD)	150

Assumptions:
* It is assumed that shipment travels from a warehouse in the largest business city of the exporting economy to a warehouse in the largest business city of the importing economy.
* It is assumed that each economy imports a standardized shipment of 15 metric tons of containerized auto parts (HS 8708) from its natural import partner—the economy from which it imports the largest value (price times quantity) of auto parts. It is assumed that each economy exports the product of its comparative advantage (defined by the largest export value) to its natural export partner—the economy that is the largest purchaser of this product.
* A shipment is a unit of trade. Export shipments do not necessarily need to be containerized, while import shipments of auto parts are assumed to be containerized.
* Shipping cost based on weight is assumed to be greater than shipping cost based on volume.
* If government fees are determined by the value of the shipment, the value is assumed to be $50,000.
* The mode of transport is the one most widely used for the chosen export or import product and the trading partner, as is the seaport, airport or land border crossing.
* Time is measured in hours, and 1 day is 24 hours.
* Costs do not include tariffs.
Source: World Bank, Doing Business, 2020

Legal Framework

Investment Code 2007

Source: Deloitte, Guide to Fiscal Information, Key Economies in Africa 2018

Investment Incentives

• Incentives apply equally to domestic and foreign investors. The major goals of incentives include employment creation, small business development, industrial development, export promotion, development and the upliftment of the economically disadvantaged. Presently, very limited incentives apply. Tariffs protect local industry but the move towards harmonisation of trade within the region has led to the reduction of tariff.

General Incentives:

• Rebate provisions – These are available to all manufacturing industries. Provision exists for rebate or drawback of certain duties applicable to imported goods, raw materials and components used in manufacturing, processing or for export. 
• A “special initial allowance” (SIA) is provided on specified assets, such as plant and machinery and industrial buildings, at a rate of 25% of the cost of the asset in the year of assessment in which such asset is first used. During the subsequent three years, the asset is entitled to an accelerated wear-and-tear allowance of 25% each year.
• Qualifying small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) may elect a capital allowance structure that includes a 50% SIA, and 25% accelerated wear-and-tear allowances in the following two years of assessment 
• A qualifying licensed investor in a “special economic zone” may elect a capital allowance structure that includes a 50% SIA, and 25% accelerated wear-and-tear allowances in the following two years of assessment 
• Building societies and financial institutions providing mortgage finance are exempt from tax, but only to the extent the receipts and accruals of such financial institutions are attributable to the provision of mortgage finance 
• Interest on loans made to small-scale gold miners for mining operations, prospecting or exploratory works in Zimbabwe is exempt 
• A double deduction is granted for expenditure incurred to develop export markets. 
• Incentives for the small business sector – The Zimbabwe Government is well aware of the important role that small, medium and microenterprises play in job creation and innovative new production methods. SMEs presently access a more favourable capital allowance regime.

Mining incentives – Capital redemption allowance 

Certain tax incentives apply to mining companies, including the following:

• Capital redemption allowance is an allowance given on capital expenditure incurred by a miner. An allowance of 100% of the amount incurred on capital expenditure in the year of assessment is available 
• The full capital cost of employee housing for a general miner qualifies for a “capital redemption allowance”
• The capital cost of a unit of employee housing acquired or constructed after 1 January 2018 and used by a holder of a “special mining lease” is restricted to USD 10 000 per unit for purposes of claiming a capital redemption allowance
• The cost of a passenger motor vehicle for purposes of claiming a capital redemption allowance is restricted to USD 10,000. 

Indigenisation incentives and regulations 

With effect, from 1 January 2018, the indigenisation and empowerment regulations requirement of 51% local ownership apply only to the extractive sector of platinum and diamond and does not apply to all other sectors. 

Source: Deloitte, Guide to Fiscal Information, Key Economies in Africa 2018.