Stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s textile and apparel sector have urged the government to postpone the implementation of a proposed increase in customs duty on selected polyester staple fibre (PSF) and dyed woven cotton fabrics until the completion of an ongoing industry study examining value chain capacity and competitiveness.
The government has proposed a 300 per cent increase in customs duty on certain imported fabrics as part of efforts to bolster domestic textile production and strengthen the cotton-to-clothing value chain. The proposal, announced by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, forms part of the 2026 national budget measures. Ncube stated that the changes would include a review of materials eligible for the clothing manufacturers’ rebate, excluding the specified fabrics, subject to local manufacturers meeting quality and price competitiveness standards. The new measures are scheduled to take effect from 1 January 2026.
Industry representatives, however, have called for a more measured approach. The Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association (ZCMA) chairperson, Jeremy Youmans, argued that it is premature to implement the tariff hike before the government-commissioned study concludes. The study, currently being conducted by the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) in collaboration with the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC), aims to provide a clearer understanding of domestic production capacities, value chain linkages, and the challenges limiting industry growth.
Youmans emphasised that the proposed 40 per cent duty should apply solely to finished goods rather than fabrics, which serve as raw materials for local clothing and home textile manufacturers. He warned that the inclusion of an additional charge of USD 2.50 per kilogram could raise the effective duty rate to between 60 and 90 per cent, depending on fabric weight.
While manufacturers in the garment sector have expressed concern about the timing and structure of the proposed duty, the Zimbabwe Textile Manufacturers Association (ZITMA) has welcomed the government’s intent to protect domestic industry. ZITMA noted, however, that additional measures are necessary to address the continued influx of second-hand clothing, which it said distorts the market and undermines local production. The association argued that the proliferation of used apparel imports continues to erode the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s textile value chain, discouraging investment and job creation.
The government’s decision to commission the CTC and NCC to conduct a comprehensive study signals a growing recognition of the complexity within Zimbabwe’s textile and apparel ecosystem. The study is expected to explore supply chain integration challenges, assess capacity utilisation across manufacturing stages, and evaluate how policy instruments such as tariffs can be calibrated to balance protectionism with industrial competitiveness.
The call for deferring the duty increase reflects broader tensions within Africa’s industrial policy landscape, where governments are seeking to strengthen domestic manufacturing while maintaining affordability and access to key inputs. For Zimbabwe, where the textile sector has struggled with underinvestment and competition from imports, the debate underscores the need for evidence-based policy interventions grounded in data and collaboration among stakeholders.
Many within the region view the Zimbabwean case as emblematic of the wider African challenge of balancing industrial growth with inclusive market dynamics. Across the continent, efforts to revive textile manufacturing have faced similar dilemmas: protecting domestic industries without unduly inflating production costs for local producers. Policymakers in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa have experimented with varying tariff structures and investment incentives to strengthen the cotton-to-clothing value chain, with mixed outcomes.
As Zimbabwe continues its journey towards industrial recovery, analysts argue that a nuanced approach is essential—one that protects strategic industries while enabling the free flow of intermediate goods necessary for manufacturing. The government’s decision in early 2026 will likely serve as a bellwether for how Zimbabwe navigates this complex balance between protection, productivity, and regional competitiveness in the evolving African trade landscape.
