Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
ZIMBABWE has been ranked among Africa’s top countries for visa openness, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to ease travel, promote investment and strengthen regional integration.
The ranking is contained in the 10th Africa Visa Openness Report, which assesses how open African countries are to visitors based on their visa requirements. The report measures progress in facilitating free movement across the continent and highlights reforms that support tourism, trade and economic cooperation.
Zimbabwe’s improved standing reflects policy reforms introduced under the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement agenda, which seeks to position the country as an accessible destination for tourists, investors and business travellers.
Visitors entering the country have welcomed the reforms, citing smooth processing at ports of entry and improved service delivery.
“We have travelled across the country and the hospitality has been excellent. Even at the ports of entry, the process is seamless and efficient,” one visitor said.
Another noted that the experience had encouraged repeat visits, adding that there were “no obstacles upon arrival” and that Zimbabwe had left a positive impression.
Government officials say the easing of visa requirements is already yielding dividends by opening opportunities for foreign investment across multiple sectors of the economy.
Speaking at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Switzerland, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, said Zimbabwe was actively engaging potential investors and promoting partnerships in key sectors.
“Zimbabwe has huge potential in all sectors of the economy. Energy remains a priority as government looks to solarise villages to drive rural industrialisation. We also have vast lithium deposits, and we are inviting partnerships that support value addition and sustainable exploitation,” Professor Murwira said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has repeatedly underscored the importance of engagement and re-engagement as a catalyst for economic transformation, improved international relations and increased investment inflows.
Zimbabwe’s rising global profile has also been reflected in international tourism rankings, reinforcing the view that easing movement for visitors and investors remains central to the country’s development strategy.
“Zimbabwe’s profile has been on an upward trend being ranked as the number one country to visit on the globe by America’s Forbes Magazine, which also speaks to the government’s thrust of easing movement of tourists and investors,” President Mnangagwa said.
Authorities say continued visa reforms will further strengthen Zimbabwe’s competitiveness as a destination and support its broader economic growth agenda.
