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ZIDA Investment Licence

Protect and grow your investment in Zimbabwe. This guide explains how the licence works, what ZIDA looks at and what we do for you.

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No fixed price. Every project is different, so we quote after we see your details. ZIDA’s own fees are confirmed in writing before you pay anything.

What ZIDA is

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) is the government body that licenses and facilitates investment. It was set up under the ZIDA Act and took over from the old Zimbabwe Investment Authority, the Special Economic Zones Authority and the Joint Venture Unit.

ZIDA also runs the One Stop Investment Services Centre, where staff from a dozen ministries, departments and agencies help investors get the licences and permits their business needs.

Do you need a licence?

Not for every business. You can register a company, open a bank account and trade without one. You apply for a licence when you want what it brings:

  • One-stop help with permits and approvals from the One Stop Investment Services Centre
  • Access to the incentives available under the Act, such as tax and duty benefits in priority sectors
  • Investment protection, including fair treatment, protection against expropriation and the right to transfer funds
  • A recognised standing with banks, partners and funders

Both local and foreign investors can apply. Foreign and diaspora investors usually get the most from it, particularly if they plan to send profits abroad.

Licence types

General Investment Licence
For investments outside a Special Economic Zone. This is the most common licence and the one most investors want.
Registration of an existing investment
For a business that is already operating and unlicensed. Registration counts as the equivalent of a licence under the Act.
Public–private partnership
For ventures run with government, a local authority or a state-owned enterprise.
Special Economic Zone
To develop, operate or run a business inside a designated zone. This is a separate application with extra documents, including a project concept note and an environmental assessment.

The process

  1. A company in placeFirst

    The investing entity must be a registered Zimbabwean company or a local branch of a foreign company. If you don’t have one yet, we register it first.

  2. Prepare the applicationYour documents

    The ZIDA 1 application form, company documents, a list of shareholders, directors and beneficial owners, and your business plan. See the checklist below.

  3. Submit onlineSame day once ready

    Applications are electronic. We submit through ZIDA’s DIY portal and handle any queries.

  4. ZIDA assesses and decidesAims for 7 working days

    ZIDA looks at job creation, skills and technology transfer, local raw materials, foreign currency inflows, environmental impact and the effect on existing industries.

  5. Pay and receive the licenceOn approval

    ZIDA invoices the licence fee on approval. A general licence is valid for two years and can be renewed.

Documents

For a new General Investment Licence

  • ZIDA 1 application form, completed
  • Certificate of incorporation, Memorandum and Articles, and the CR6 and CR14 or CR5 filings
  • List of shareholders, directors and beneficial owners
  • Business plan or concept note, with financial projections
  • CVs of directors and key personnel
  • Certified ID or passport copies for directors and shareholders

Often asked for as well

  • Proof of funds or financing arrangements, especially for foreign investors
  • Details of equipment you plan to import
  • Power of attorney, if an agent files for you
  • Feasibility studies for larger or specialised projects

For an existing investment

  • Registration of existing investment form instead of a licence application
  • Company registration documents
  • Evidence of the investment already made, such as bank statements or customs paperwork

After you’re licensed

  • Start implementing within 12 months of the licence being issued, or ZIDA can cancel it after notice
  • File an annual return in the form ZIDA sets, and keep records on your premises: accounts, staff list, permits, tax clearance, NSSA registration
  • Tell ZIDA about changes without delay, such as a new shareholder, name or address. Some changes need an amendment
  • Renew at least three months before expiry. ZIDA aims to decide a complete renewal within 30 working days. A late renewal is accepted for up to three months after expiry. After that you must apply again

Other approvals your project may need

A ZIDA licence doesn’t replace the permits that come with your sector or your people. Depending on your project, you may also need:

  • Investor residence permit or temporary employment permits for foreign staff, through Immigration
  • An environmental impact assessment from the Environmental Management Agency for mining, manufacturing and large projects
  • Sector licences, for example from the Ministry of Mines, the Medicines Control Authority, the Reserve Bank, POTRAZ or the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
  • ZIMRA registration and tax clearance, and NSSA registration if you employ people

We map these out for you at the start so nothing surprises you later.

Reserved sectors

Some sectors are reserved for Zimbabweans or carry limits on foreign ownership. The list was widened in December 2025 by S.I. 215 of 2025. Strategic industries such as energy and railways may also require government participation, negotiated case by case. We check your sector before we start, so you aren’t surprised after you’ve spent money.

Fees

ZIDA charges statutory fees when you apply, when a licence is issued, and again on renewal or amendment. The amounts are set in regulations and have changed before, and published figures vary, so we confirm the current numbers with ZIDA and give them to you in writing before you pay.

Our own fee depends on the size and complexity of your project. Send the form and we’ll quote.

What we do for you

  • Check which licence route fits your project and whether your sector is restricted
  • Prepare the ZIDA 1 form and the supporting documents with you
  • Register your company first if you don’t have one
  • Submit through ZIDA’s portal and follow up until there is a decision
  • Guide you on the permits that come next, and set up ZIMRA and tax clearance

We don’t guarantee approval. ZIDA decides.

Questions

Is a ZIDA licence compulsory?

No, not for every business. It is for investors who want ZIDA’s protections, incentives and one-stop support.

Can I apply before my company is registered?

No. The applicant must be a registered Zimbabwean company or a local branch of a foreign company. We can register it first.

How long does it take?

ZIDA aims to decide within seven working days of receiving an application. Preparing the documents, especially the business plan, usually takes longer than the decision.

Does the licence cover work permits?

No. Immigration permits are separate. ZIDA’s one-stop centre helps you coordinate them.

How long is the licence valid?

Under the 2023 regulations, a general licence is valid for two years and can be renewed.

I live abroad. Can you do this remotely?

Yes. The whole process is online. If a document needs notarising, we tell you early.

Sources

This guide is general information based on ZIDA’s published pages, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (General Investments) Regulations, 2023 (S.I. 227 of 2023) and the US State Department 2026 Investment Climate Statement for Zimbabwe. Rules, fees and timelines change. We confirm current requirements with ZIDA before filing, and you should too.