Political Economy of Zimbabwe’s Integration into the AfCFTA: Institutional Readiness, Implementation Gaps and Developmental Prospects

This study evaluates Zimbabwe’s preparedness for full integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) following its ratification in May 2019. Using a political economy framework, it examines how structural conditions, institutions, actor incentives, agency and sectoral governance shape Zimbabwe’s implementation trajectory. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining interviews with senior officials and business leaders, questionnaires administered to exporting firms, documentary analysis and trade data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed in NVivo to generate institutional and contextual explanations. The findings show that Zimbabwe is a mid-tier integrator with clear political commitment to the AfCFTA, but significant implementation gaps remain. Legal domestication is incomplete; tariff schedules and market-access offers have been delayed; customs and excise provisions are not fully aligned with AfCFTA requirements; and rules-of-origin preparedness is weakened by import-dependent production structures. Trade facilitation is further constrained by classification inconsistencies, corridor delays, intrusive post-clearance inspections, limited access to trade finance, currency-related risks and fragmented market intelligence. These constraints may limit Zimbabwe’s ability to realize AfCFTA-related benefits, including expanded market access, investment, product diversification, wage growth and welfare gains. The study argues that Zimbabwe’s readiness depends on stronger legal coherence, institutional coordination and phased implementation. It proposes an AfCFTA National Trade Ecosystem Framework built around institutional alignment, industrial development, trade finance, public-private collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation.