Zimbabwe’s newly introduced import restrictions under Statutory Instrument (SI) 59 of 2026 are expected to strengthen local manufacturing and protect domestic industries, according to analysis by Lucent Consultancy.
The regulations, issued under the Control of Goods Act, are designed to curb foreign currency outflows, improve product quality standards, and promote local production by tightening controls on a range of imported goods.
Key products now affected include cement, steel, footwear, selected food items, and other consumer goods, with some categories such as second-hand underwear now fully banned. Other imports, including textiles and certain food products, will require licensing.
Lucent Consultancy said the policy represents a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s trade direction, describing it as a move toward “strategic protection” of domestic industries and economic sovereignty.
The regulations also consolidate 16 previously separate statutory instruments into a single framework, aimed at reducing administrative inefficiencies and improving compliance within the import system.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the fragmented system previously created confusion and delays in trade processing, which the new unified approach seeks to resolve.
The reforms fall under broader national economic strategies, including the National Development Strategy 2 and the government’s long-term vision of achieving upper-middle-income status under Vision 2030.
Lucent Consultancy said the new framework marks a decisive shift away from earlier liberalised trade policies toward more controlled and managed imports, particularly in sectors considered critical for industrial recovery.
One of the most notable changes is the increased discretionary power granted to the Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce in approving or rejecting import licences under defined conditions, including compliance with safety standards and national economic interest.
The consultancy said this mechanism would help prevent Zimbabwe from becoming a “dumping ground” for substandard goods while supporting local manufacturers such as those in the construction, textiles, and pharmaceutical sectors.
However, it acknowledged that tighter controls may lead to short-term price increases for consumers, even as it argues that long-term benefits could include stronger domestic production, job creation, and improved product quality.
The policy also integrates with the government’s digital service delivery platform, the ZimConnect Portal, which is intended to streamline licensing and reduce bureaucratic delays through online applications.
Lucent Consultancy said the success of SI 59 of 2026 will depend on effective implementation, institutional transparency, and the ability of local industry to meet rising demand under the new protectionist framework.
If fully executed, the consultancy concluded, the reforms could play a key role in accelerating Zimbabwe’s industrial growth and supporting its long-term economic transformation goals.
Source – The Chronicle