The Zimbabwean Cabinet has expanded the list of economic sectors reserved exclusively for local citizens, a move that marks a re-focus on empowering local citizens in key sub-sectors of the economy, particularly in services, logistics, and small-scale extractive industries.
Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere during Tuesday's post-Cabinet press briefing said the decision follows a review of the Reserved Sector Implementation Framework and aims to streamline operations while balancing national interests with the drive to attract foreign investment.
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Henceforth, a wide range of sectors and services will be designated for exclusive ownership and operation by local citizens.
The newly consolidated list of reserved sectors includes: artisanal mining; barbershops, hair dressing and beauty salons; employment agencies; bakeries; advertising agencies; borehole drilling; clearing and customs; valet services; provision of local arts and craft, marketing and distribution; tobacco grading and packaging; pharmaceutical retailing; estate agencies; transportation including passenger buses, taxis and car hire services; haulage trucks, haulage and logistics services, grain milling, brick moulding and quarry mining and granite mining in all spheres.
"Cabinet agreed on the need to streamline the operations in the Reserved Sectors taking into consideration the balance between national interests and attracting investments into the country," Minister Muswere stated.
For other sectors not on the exclusively reserved list, Cabinet approved the setting of defined Reserved Sector thresholds for local participation.
Crucially, government also approved the creation of a transitional framework for businesses already operating in these newly reserved sectors, indicating a structured process for existing foreign-owned entities to comply with the new requirements.
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