Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency released preliminary findings from its 2023 Economic Census conducted between June 2024 and March 2025. The survey identified 204,798 active business establishments across the nation. Most operations remain unregistered, with 76.1 percent classified as informal enterprises. Micro-businesses represent 87.9 percent of all establishments surveyed. The International Labour Organisation estimates over 80 percent of Zimbabwe's population depends on informal sector employment.
Wholesale and retail trade dominates the business landscape, accounting for 73.13 percent of all establishments. Manufacturing follows as the second largest sector at 8.24 percent of total operations. Urban areas house approximately 87 percent of business establishments compared to 13.3 percent in rural regions. Bulawayo province leads formalization efforts with 46.4 percent of establishments operating under official registration. Sole proprietorships constitute 89.42 percent of business structures nationwide, while private limited companies represent 7.13 percent of total enterprises.
Wholesale and retail trade dominates the business landscape, accounting for 73.13 percent of all establishments. Manufacturing follows as the second largest sector at 8.24 percent of total operations. Urban areas house approximately 87 percent of business establishments compared to 13.3 percent in rural regions. Bulawayo province leads formalization efforts with 46.4 percent of establishments operating under official registration. Sole proprietorships constitute 89.42 percent of business structures nationwide, while private limited companies represent 7.13 percent of total enterprises.
