Stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s textile and apparel sector are urging the government to delay a planned increase in customs duties on selected polyester staple fibre (PSF) and dyed woven cotton fabrics until an ongoing value-chain assessment is completed.
The government has proposed tripling customs duties on certain imported fabrics under its 2026 national budget, a move intended to boost domestic textile production and strengthen the cotton-to-clothing value chain. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube also announced a review of the clothing manufacturers’ rebate, with some fabrics set to be excluded if local producers can meet required quality and pricing standards. The new tariff regime is scheduled to take effect 1 January 2026.
Industry Seeks Evidence-Based Decision
Industry representatives argue that raising duties before the study is finalized could be counterproductive. Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association (ZCMA) chairperson Jeremy Youmans said the timing is premature, noting that the government-commissioned research—being carried out by the Competition and Tariff Commission (CTC) and the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC)—is expected to provide a crucial, data-backed evaluation of production capacity and value-chain constraints.
Youmans stressed that the proposed 40% duty should apply to finished products, not fabrics used as inputs by local manufacturers. He warned that an additional charge of USD 2.50 per kilogram could push the effective duty rate to 60–90%, depending on the fabric category, potentially harming local apparel producers rather than protecting them.
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Mixed Reactions in the Value Chain
While clothing manufacturers remain cautious, the Zimbabwe Textile Manufacturers Association (ZITMA) supports the government’s broader objective of reviving the local industry. ZITMA emphasized that controlling the surge of imported second-hand clothing is just as critical as adjusting tariffs, noting that the influx continues to distort pricing, weaken domestic value chains, and deter investment.
A Critical Moment for Policy Alignment
The commissioning of the CTC–NCC value-chain study reflects the government’s acknowledgment of the complexity of Zimbabwe’s textile ecosystem. The research will assess supply-chain integration, capacity utilization at each production stage, and how tariffs can be calibrated to balance industrial protection with competitiveness.
Calls to postpone the tariff hike underscore a broader challenge facing many African economies: how to rebuild domestic industries without undermining access to essential inputs. Zimbabwe’s long-struggling textile sector—marked by years of underinvestment and import pressure—highlights the urgent need for data-driven policy-making and closer coordination between government and industry.
