Starting a business in Zimbabwe: the compliance basics
To start a business in Zimbabwe: register the company with Registrar of Companies, register for tax with ZIMRA (corporate income tax 25% + 3% AIDS levy (25.75% effective); VAT 15.5% once over US$25,000), comply with the Labour Act if you hire, and meet Cyber and Data Protection Act, 2021 for personal data.
First compliance steps
- 1 Register the company with Registrar of Companies.
- 2 Register for tax with ZIMRA.
- 3 Register as an employer (NSSA (4.5% employer + 4.5% employee)) and use written contracts if you hire.
- 4 Register for VAT once turnover passes US$25,000.
- 5 Put a basic Cyber and Data Protection Act, 2021 framework in place.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start a business in Zimbabwe?
Register with Registrar of Companies, register for tax with ZIMRA, and meet labour (Labour Act) and data-protection rules. Confirm specifics with ZIMRA.
More on Zimbabwe
- Register a company — Zimbabwe
- Company tax — Zimbabwe
- VAT / sales tax — Zimbabwe
- Hiring staff — Zimbabwe
- Data protection — Zimbabwe
- Tax clearance — Zimbabwe
- Empowerment / B-BBEE — Zimbabwe
- Licences & permits — Zimbabwe
- Payroll & employee tax — Zimbabwe
- Importing & customs — Zimbabwe
- Annual returns — Zimbabwe
- Full Zimbabwe compliance guide
Start a business elsewhere in SADC
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Reviewed June 2026 from official sources. General information only — confirm with ZIMRA or a registered professional.