The study supports Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategies (NDS1 and NDS2), which emphasize trade facilitation, industrialization, and competitiveness, while aligning with the objectives of regional integration, through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), SADC and COMESA. The assessment covered eight major border posts that represent Zimbabwe’s most critical trade corridors
vis-à-vis Beitbridge, Chirundu OSBP, Forbes, Nyamapanda, Plumtree, Victoria Falls, Kazungula and Sango.

A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative tools was employed, including structured questionnaires, direct observations, and desktop reviews. Data were collected from border stakeholders such as Government Agencies, transporters and clearing agents. Quantitative data were used to establish baselines
on clearance times, costs, and infrastructure adequacy, while qualitative data provided insights into institutional and coordination challenges. Data triangulation across sources ensured credibility and accuracy of findings.

The study established that inefficient border processes remain a major impediment to Zimbabwe’s trade competitiveness. Multiple agencies with overlapping functions, duplication of inspections, poor coordination, and inadequate automation continue to delay cargo clearance. For instance, at Chirundu, Zimbabwe has 25 agencies stationed at the border compared to only six on the Zambian side. Such institutional fragmentation undermines the principles of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) model adopted to streamline operations. Average crossing times range from 28 hours at Forbes and 21 hours at Beitbridge to just 4 hours at Sango, depending on the size and volume of traffic crossing the border. Delays are largely attributed to customs processing, physical inspections, queuing, and limited scanner capacity. These
inefficiencies significantly increase logistics costs, reduce predictability of delivery schedules and weaken the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s export corridors.

For more information, check out this link:

https://www.ncc-zim.co.zw/document/bems-report-11-december-2025/

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According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological changes are expected to be the biggest driver of labour market transformation in the coming years.

Technology and the Future of the World’s Largest Workforces

The Global Future Council on Jobs and Frontier Technologies defines workforce-transforming technologies as recent technological advances with the potential to rapidly transform the workforce. Such advancements would provide productivity, or capability boosts to help address society’s key challenges, and have substantial or systemic risk that requires governance and/or compliance enhancements. The Global Future Council on Jobs and Frontier Technologies identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics & autonomous systems, energy technology, and networks and sensing technologies as four frontier technologies having the greatest workforce transformation potential.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been especially topical since the release and rapid uptake of consumer-focused genAI models, and 86% of employers expect it will transform their organization by 2030. This technology incorporates machine learning and data processing, genAI, artificial general intelligence and agentic AI. Organizations utilize AI for efficiency, productivity, fraud prevention, and customer service, which are all key tenets of competitiveness in the business world.

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The Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) is produced annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF), based on the Executive Opinion Survey (EOS). The survey is coordinated by the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) as a local Partner Institute of the WEF. The GGGI benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (subindexes), namely:

• Economic Participation & Opportunity;
• Educational Attainment;
• Health & Survival; and
• Political Empowerment.

The GGGI measures gender parity on a score of 0 – 1, or in percentage terms, 0 or 0% indicates complete gender inequality and 1 or 100% complete gender equality, that is no gap between men and women across the dimensions. GGGI considers gender inclusiveness through promotion of equal opportunities for everyone across all the four dimensions.

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To mitigate the adverse effects, the government is urged to consider providing incentives or tax breaks to fuel-intensive industries to absorb the impact of rising costs and gradually introduce levy changes to help minimize economic shocks and give businesses time to adjust to prevent productivity losses.

Introduction
The Statutory Instrument 50 of 2025 amends Section 22H of the Finance Act to revise the fuel levy rates for Zimbabwe through increasing diesel and petrol levy rates to US$0.1870 and US$0.2470 per litre of diesel and petrol respectively, which is contrary to Government efforts towards reducing compliance costs. Fuel is a cross-cutting driver, hence the increase in price will be passed on to consumers leading to high cost of living.

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However, tariff suspension in Zimbabwe, while potentially leading to lower consumer prices and increased trade, could also negatively impact domestic industries and potentially lead to a
decline in Government revenue.

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Zimbabwe’s CBCA program is being implemented by Bureau Veritas, Cotecna, and EAA Company, which are global conformity assessment companies, and is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC). The Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) is responsible for inspections at the destination. Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) enforces CBCA requirements at borders by ensuring that only certified goods are cleared for entry.

These implementing bodies ensure that imported goods meet national quality and safety standards before entering the country.

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The repeal reopens pricing flexibility for businesses, shifting the balance back toward market-driven pricing mechanisms, hence providing fair competition for all. Businesses regain control over pricing models and now compete based on productivity and efficiency instead of exchange rate differentials.

Given the shortage of foreign currency on the interbank market, those companies accessing the foreign currency at the parallel exchange rates are given the flexibility to charge reflective prices towards the achievement of a market-determined rate. This also allows firms to realign prices to operational realities, improving profitability and sustainability. The repeal also enhances supply chain responsiveness as firms no longer absorb exchange rate losses. On the other hand, this may lead to the reintroduction of inconsistent pricing practices across sectors, leading to market fragmentation, and consumers are likely to be exposed to price distortions from foreign exchange volatility.

The repeal fosters a price discovery mechanism, allowing differentiation through innovation, service quality, and efficiency – not just compliance. A shift from price-controlled competitiveness to value-based competition is enhanced. However, safeguards preventing sellers from using speculative exchange rates to exploit consumers are lifted; hence, the risk of a return to hyperinflationary behaviors if sellers begin the usually aggressive speculative pricing again.

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The suspension of all tariffs levied on goods originating from the United States is intended to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market and demonstrates Zimbabwe’s commitment to a framework of equitable trade and enhanced bilateral cooperation.

However, tariff suspension in Zimbabwe, while potentially leading to lower consumer prices and increased trade, could also negatively impact domestic industries and potentially lead to a decline in Government revenue.

The overall trade volume between Zimbabwe and the USA has generally been modest compared to Zimbabwe’s trade with other countries, with South Africa being the biggest trading partner.

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The measure envisions enhancing safety and reliability in Zimbabwe’s electrical infrastructure, following a surge in house fires and electrical accidents. These inspections are critical in
preventing potentially devastating incidents emanating from unsafe wiring, faulty connections, and non-compliant installations. Thus, it is ZETDC’s priority to ensure all electrical systems
meet the highest safety standards.

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