Zimbabwe Sanctions
ZWZimbabwe is currently subject to 6 active sanctions programs imposed by Global Affairs Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, European Union Council, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and World Bank Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations. These measures include asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo, trade restrictions, financial restrictions and other. This page lists every program targeting Zimbabwe, the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 11 Jun 2026
Programs
6
Authorities
6
Restriction Types
6
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
Sanctions Programs
Total designated: 81 (77 individuals, 4 entities)
Resources
Australia's autonomous sanctions on Zimbabwe. Total designated: 5 (5 individuals).
Resources
Restrictive measures were first introduced on 18 February 2002 in relation to the situation in Zimbabwe, in particular the escalation of violence and intimidation of political opponents and the harassment of the independent press. The Council of the EU expressed serious concern about legislation in Zimbabwe which seriously infringed on the right to freedom of speech, assembly and association and the legislation to regulate the media. The Government of Zimbabwe continued to engage in serious violations of human rights and of the freedom of opinion, of association and of peaceful assembly. Thus the Council of the EU imposed embargo on all arms and military equipment on the EU military list as well as other equipment which might be used for internal repression, travel restrictions and asset freeze. In 2008, the Council of the EU strengthened the restrictive measures in relation to the violence organised and committed by the Zimbabwean authorities during the presidential election campaign in 2008, which turned the election into a denial of democracy. On 23 July 2012 and 18 February 2013, the Council of the EU concluded that a peaceful and credible constitutional referendum in Zimbabwe would represent an important milestone in the preparation of democratic elections justifying an immediate suspension of the majority of all remaining Union targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities. In view of the outcome of the Zimbabwean constitutional referendum of 16 March 2013, the Council of the EU decided to suspend the travel ban and asset freeze applying to the majority of the individuals and entities on the list. Over the years, the Council subsequently renewed and adjusted the restrictive measures. On 7 February 2026, the Council decided that in view of the situation in Zimbabwe, the restrictive measures should be limited to an arms embargo on all arms and military equipment on the EU military list as well as other equipment which might be used for internal repression and decided to remove the provisions related to the travel ban and asset freeze. The Council also decided that the title of that Decision should be amended to reflect the fact that the framework includes only an arms embargo. Adopted by: EU. No persons or entities are currently designated under this regime.
Resources
Swiss sanctions targeting Zimbabwe. Total designated: 123 (112 individuals, 11 entities).
Resources
UK sanctions regime targeting designated persons, military goods, and internal repression goods connected with Zimbabwe.
Countries classified as having institutional and social fragility under the World Bank FCS framework
Recent Changes
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s)
Target countries updated
Added: BF, HR, JM, MZ, NI, TZ, UG, ZW. Removed: BO, CM, CI, LA, DZ, AO, BG, NA, PG, VG, KW, MC, NP, SS, VE
New program: World Bank FCS — Institutional & Social Fragility
New sanctions program detected: World Bank FCS — Institutional & Social Fragility
Zimbabwe sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Zimbabwe sanctions" to "Zimbabwe sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Zimbabwe sanctions regime
Added: Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
Zimbabwe sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Zimbabwe sanctions regime" to "Zimbabwe sanctions"
Legal basis updated for Zimbabwe sanctions
Removed: Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s), 1 designations_list(s)
New program: Restrictive measures concerning an arms embargo in view of the situation in Zimbabwe
New sanctions program detected: Restrictive measures concerning an arms embargo in view of the situation in Zimbabwe
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions
Zimbabwe sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Zimbabwe Sanctions" to "Zimbabwe sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Zimbabwe sanctions regime
Added: The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Sanctions Act 2018. Removed: The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s)
Restrictions added
Added: arms_embargo, trade_restrictions, financial_restrictions
Zimbabwe Sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Zimbabwe sanctions regime" to "Zimbabwe Sanctions"
Legal basis updated for Zimbabwe Sanctions
Added: The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. Removed: The Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s), 1 list(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: arms_embargo, trade_restrictions, financial_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s)
Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Australia Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions" to "Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions"
Legal basis updated for Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions
Added: Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484]. Removed: Designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 on 2 March 2012. Formerly listed on the RBA Consolidated List as 2002ZIM0015. Instrument of first designation and declaration: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484] Relisted on 12 January 2024., Designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 on 2 March 2012. Formerly listed on the RBA Consolidated List as 2002ZIM0025. Instrument of first designation and declaration: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484] Relisted on 12 January 2024., Designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 on 2 March 2012. Formerly listed on the RBA Consolidated List as 2002ZIM0111. Instrument of first designation and declaration: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484] Relisted on 12 January 2024., Designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 on 2 March 2012. Formerly listed on the RBA Consolidated List as 2002ZIM0002. Instrument of first designation and declaration: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484] Relisted on 12 January 2024., Designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 on 2 March 2012. Formerly listed on the RBA Consolidated List as 2005ZIM0172. Instrument of first designation and declaration: Autonomous Sanctions (Designated Persons and Entities and Declared Persons - Zimbabwe) List 2012 [F2012L00484] Relisted on 12 January 2024.
Restrictions removed
Removed: transport
Zimbabwe sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "UK Zimbabwe sanctions" to "Zimbabwe sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Zimbabwe sanctions regime
Added: Sanctions Act 2018. Removed: The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions, financial_restrictions
New program: Switzerland Zimbabwe Sanctions
New sanctions program detected: Switzerland Zimbabwe Sanctions
New program: Canada Zimbabwe Sanctions
New sanctions program detected: Canada Zimbabwe Sanctions
New program: Australia Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions
New sanctions program detected: Australia Autonomous Zimbabwe Sanctions
New program: UK Zimbabwe sanctions
New sanctions program detected: UK Zimbabwe sanctions