Business Customs
Despite perfunctory reference to the “Look East” policy by some members of the Zimbabwe government, business customs are more or less similar to those in Western countries.
Travel Advisory
See the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel to Zimbabwe:
Visa requirements
Foreigners intending to engage in meetings or discussions for business purposes are advised to secure a business visa prior to entry into Zimbabwe. A passport, visa, return ticket, and adequate funds are required to enter Zimbabwe. Business visas are also available on arrival.
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link: State Department Visa Website and U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe Visas Website at https://zw.usembassy.gov/visas/.
Visitors may find up-to-date and complete information posted on U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe.
Currency
Zimbabwe is a dual currency economy, using both U.S. dollars and Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). The ZiG launched in April 2024 and has been relatively stable following a sudden correction in September 2024 that saw the currency drop 43 percent in one day. Since then, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has maintained a tight monetary policy to curb further depreciation. The ZiG is backed by foreign currency reserves, gold, and other precious metals. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has taken steps to liberalize the exchange rate, including the recent issuance of Statutory Instrument 34 of 2025 that eliminates penalties for businesses pricing above the official exchange rate, allowing for market-based pricing to better reflect the cost of foreign currency. Nevertheless, the authorities have not fully liberalized the exchange rate and a parallel market for foreign exchange exists, where the ZiG depreciates faster than the interbank rate. The government announced in August 2025 plans to transition from the country’s current multicurrency system dominated by the U.S. dollar to a single domestic currency by 2030.
Telecommunications/Electronics
Mobile and landline networks are sometimes overloaded, and providers have faced challenges maintaining services as rapid inflation has increased operating costs while retail prices have increased at a slower pace. Phone service in general is reliable in urban centers. Wi-fi services are available in most upmarket hotels. The country uses 220–240-volt electricity and travelers are urged to carry international travel adapters. Mobile payment companies, typically subsidiaries of major telecoms firms, have faced suspensions and unsubstantiated government accusations of fueling inflation, contributing to the growth in money supply, and money laundering.
Transportation
Zimbabwe has a reasonably well-developed road network, especially relative to much of the rest of the continent, although even major arteries running from the capital are in various states of disrepair. The country has air connections with other countries in the southern and eastern regions of Africa, as well as Europe via Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, and the Middle East.
Language
English is the official business language in Zimbabwe, and it is the language used in much of Zimbabwe’s education system.
Health
Zimbabwe’s health and sanitation standards in public hospitals have declined over the years due to inadequate government funding, with qualified staff leaving for greener pastures in neighboring countries, the United States, Europe, and Australia. Standards remain reasonably good in the private sector, with the best available care limited to large, metropolitan centers such as Harare and Bulawayo. Very limited resources are available to treat non-communicable diseases including cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. Availability of healthcare commodities, including routine medicines, is limited in public hospitals but better in the private sector. Cholera is widespread in Zimbabwe; avoid unsafe food and water.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit these websites:
State Department Visa Website: www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/zimbabwe.html
CDC Travelers’ Health website: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
Local time, business hours, and holidays
Local time is six hours ahead of Washington, D.C. time, or seven hours during Daylight Savings Time. Business hours are between 0800 hours and 1700 hours (Monday to Friday). Zimbabwe’s holidays for 2025 include: New Year’s Day (January 1), National Youth Day (February 21), Independence Day (April 18), Good Friday (April 18), Easter Monday (April 21), Workers’ Day (May 1), Africa Day (May 25), Heroes’ Day (August 11), Defense Forces Day (August 12), National Unity Day (December 22), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
U.S. citizens who are temporarily carrying firearms and ammunition into Zimbabwe for purposes of hunting must register these items with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, using Customs Form 4457, when leaving the U.S. and upon re-entry. U.S. citizens must also comply with the temporary export exemptions at 22 CFR 123.17, posted on the Directorate of Defense Trade Control’s website at https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/ddtc_public/ddtc_public. U.S. citizens should also contact the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Washington, D.C. to find out what permits are required. Travelers to Zimbabwe should make sure that all the necessary documentation is in order before departing the United States.
For country-specific travel information, please visit State Department’s Travel web page.
Travel Resources
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority
Tourism House, 55 Samora Machel Ave, Harare.
Tel: 263 779212289