Country file

Zimbabwe

The country's exports are dominated by raw materials and energy. Internet connectivity remains partial and hosting there is mostly provided by a foreign provider. Regional benchmarks: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Relationship with the European Union

Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union — provisionally applied since 2012

A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Sources reviewed on 17 September 2026

33.8%

of exported goods: ores and metals

2024, latest available figureComposition of merchandise exports — World Bank

21.6%

of exported goods: food products

2024, latest available figureComposition of merchandise exports — World Bank

2.8%

of manufactured exports are high-technology products

2024, latest available figureHigh-technology exports — World Bank

Economy and sectors

Provisional application

Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union

provisionally applied since 2012A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Map of trade agreements — European Commission

Third country

regime applicable to European data and access

European framework trackedNo general adequacy decision. The transfer mechanism and its accompanying measures must be chosen according to the actual data flows.

Adequacy decisions — European Commission

41.6%

of the population uses the Internet

2024, latest available figure

Internet use — World Bank / ITU

Prohibited sensitive goods

European Union restrictive measures targeting the country

EU Sanctions Map, as at 26 September 2026Ordinary trade remains permitted, but the EU prohibits the supply of certain sensitive goods. Check that nothing you deliver or purchase falls into these categories. Measures in force: arms embargo; prohibitions on internal repression and communications surveillance equipment.

Council Regulation (EC) No 314/2004

Incidents, fraud and impersonation

secure servers per million inhabitants

2024, latest available figureProviders most often rely on a foreign hosting provider. Ask which one, and under which jurisdiction it operates.

Secure Internet servers — World Bank

Unforeseen intermediary

identification of the parties to the transaction

Cross-cutting controlExtraction chains involve numerous intermediaries. Identify who invoices, who ships and who is accountable in the event of an incident, before the question arises.

Points to check within your organisation

To be screened

The goods, the service and the payment, before any contract

EU restrictive measures apply to this country or part of its territory. Assess each delivery and each payment against the applicable regulation, and keep a record of party screening: this is what your client or your bank will ask for.

To be scoped

What the service actually covers

An extraction-based economy tells you little about the provider you are assessing. Have them specify what is supplied, by which entity, and with what technical resources of their own.

To be governed

The small amount of data that flows, and its framework

Without an adequacy decision, the volume transferred matters less than its nature: contracts, contact details and access logs are enough to trigger the obligation. Ask which transfer tool is used and what its scope covers.

To be traced

The host behind the provider

Providers most often rely on a foreign host. Ask which one, under what jurisdiction it operates, and what the contract between them provides for.

Developments to be aware of

The topics that may change your answers

EU restrictive measures

Ordinary trade remains permitted, but the EU prohibits the supply of certain sensitive goods. Check that nothing you deliver or purchase falls into these categories. Measures in force: arms embargo; prohibitions on internal repression and communications surveillance equipment.

EU Sanctions Map — European Commission

EU–Zimbabwe relationship

A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Trade relations by country — European Commission

Data transfers

No general adequacy decision. The transfer mechanism and its accompanying measures must be chosen according to the actual data flows.

Adequacy decisions — European Commission

Export fabric

Export shares retain their year and definition. A missing series remains visible rather than being filled in.

Composition of merchandise exports — World Bank

What this means for your situation

Ores and metals: 33.8% of goods exported. This structure sheds light on an economy, not on a supplier's maturity: a local software vendor or service centre qualifies on its own evidence.

Official sources

Confidential exchange

Describe your European relationship and the request received.

The Zimbabwe file sets out a country and its relationship with the Union. What remains to be established is exactly what the service covers, and what dedicated resources are committed to it.

Contact iKNSA