Story by Stanley James, Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is realising the benefits of ease of doing business reforms after recording over 160 investor enquiries from local and external investors in the last quarter of 2025 from an average of around 100 the previous quarter.
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) is the first port of call for prospective investors in Zimbabwe.
These offices are handling inquiries on a daily basis, and witnessed some of the prospective investors visiting ZIDA, which was in the last few years transformed into a one stop office for approval of investment proposals.
“Reduction of the costs of doing business is a noble element, in my country the reforms have increased investor confidence, so Zimbabwe needs to be commended on that aspect.
“It is all about a competitive business environment that is crucial in facilitating growth in approved projects, so by reducing the costs it means I can save more and invest in other sectors.
“Zimbabwe has what it takes to be an investment of choice and the utilisation of resources becomes relevant if all cost drivers are affordable, so l am looking into the possibilities of investing in the mining sector,” investors said
As attested by the investors, the ease of doing business being implemented by the Second Republic have seen an increase in investment inquiries.
The ZIDA 2025 fourth quarter report confirms a 60 percent increase in inquiries from prospective investors, from around 100 in 2024 to over 160 last year.
A commercial lawyer, Mr James Makiya has been impressed by this milestone achieved through the ongoing sweeping reforms.
“These reforms are really neccessary to attract the much needed local and Foreign Direct Investments and they are being done when the Second Republic continue to smash records in overall output for strategic commodities in fact they will in the future place Zimbabwe as a leading favourable destination for businesses,” Mr Makiya stated.
The ease of doing business reforms were announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa late last year and these include slashing of licence fees and taxes across various sectors.
“My Government has reviewed licences, permits, levies and fees as well as the multiple regulatory requirements across all sectors to enhance the country’s ease of doing business, reduction of costs and the competitiveness of the local industry, the respective Statutory Instruments and statutes will be accordingly amended,” he said.
The reforms are expected to enhance economic growth by allowing more players, both local and foreign to invest in various sectors of the economy, thereby contributing to the attainment of the national vision for the country to become an upper middle-income society by 2030.
