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
The European Union (EU) and the United States have imposed international sanctions against Zimbabwe, which include an arms embargo and asset freezes targeting specific members of the Zimbabwean government and associated individuals. The EU's restrictive measures, renewed until February 2026, prohibit the export of arms and equipment that could be used for internal repression, while the U.S. maintains restrictions on defense articles and services destined for Zimbabwe.
Criminality
Rating |
0 (bad) - 100 (good) |
|---|---|
| Transparency International Corruption Index | 21 |
| World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank | 10 |
Zimbabwe faces significant challenges related to crime and corruption, with endemic corruption severely impacting business operations and foreign direct investment. The government's anti-corruption measures have been criticized for selective enforcement, leading to a lack of accountability for high-ranking officials, while criminal activities such as human trafficking, illicit trade, and drug trafficking are prevalent, often exacerbated by weak governance and a lack of resources for law enforcement.
Economy
Zimbabwe possesses significant economic potential due to its abundant natural resources, skilled workforce, and high literacy rates, yet it continues to face a challenging investment climate characterized by policy inconsistency and corruption. The government has implemented an "open for business" policy to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy, and tourism, although the lack of effective property rights protection and the historical expropriation of land without compensation remain major concerns for investors. Despite recent reforms aimed at improving the business environment, including the removal of foreign currency surrender requirements and the establishment of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) as a one-stop shop for investors, the country still grapples with significant infrastructure challenges, including power shortages and underutilized irrigation systems, which hinder economic growth and development.
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