Zimbabwe Country Summary
Medium-High Risk
View full Ratings TableSanctions
Higher Concern
FATF AML Deficient List
Lower Concern
Terrorism
Medium Concern
Corruption
Higher Concern
US State ML Assessment
Medium Concern
Criminal Markets (GI Index)
Medium Concern
EU Tax Blacklist
Lower Concern
Offshore Finance Center
Lower Concern
Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.
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Anti Money Laundering
FATF Status
Zimbabwe is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies
Compliance with FATF Recommendations
The latest follow-up Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Zimbabwe was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Zimbabwe was deemed Compliant for 20 and Largely Compliant for 17 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.
Sanctions
Beyond the United Nations, Zimbabwe is subject to targeted sanctions from several countries, with the United States ending its Zimbabwe-specific program in March 2024 but retaining Global Magnitsky sanctions on 11 individuals and 3 entities, and the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia maintaining asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargo provisions; the European Union's regime is now limited to an arms embargo with no designated individuals or entities since 2025-2026. Japan, New Zealand, and the Arab League do not maintain autonomous sanctions against Zimbabwe (Japan relies on UN measures that currently do not apply), while Switzerland aligns with EU rules and maintains only an arms embargo.
Criminality
Rating |
0 (bad) - 100 (good) |
|---|---|
| Transparency International Corruption Index | 22 |
| World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank | 10 |
Zimbabwe faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption, with endemic corruption severely hindering business operations and foreign direct investment. The government has established anti-corruption mechanisms, but enforcement is selective, often targeting individuals who have fallen out of favor, while many high-ranking officials evade accountability, contributing to a pervasive culture of impunity.
The country grapples with various criminal markets, including human trafficking, illicit trade, and drug trafficking, exacerbated by weak governance and a lack of resources for law enforcement. Additionally, the judicial system suffers from corruption and political interference, undermining public trust and the rule of law, while civil society organizations and journalists face repression, limiting their ability to advocate for transparency and accountability.
Economy
Zimbabwe presents a complex economic landscape characterized by significant potential for development alongside a challenging investment climate. The country is rich in natural resources, particularly in mining, agriculture, energy, and tourism, making it attractive for foreign direct investment (FDI). However, investors face hurdles such as policy inconsistency, corruption, and a lack of transparency in the regulatory environment, despite government efforts to improve conditions through initiatives like the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) and the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
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