Postal and Telecommunications (Ownership Requirements for Licences) Regulations, 2026

POTRAZ may no longer issue a licence under Part VI of the Postal and Telecommunications Act unless at least 75% of the applicant is owned by Zimbabwean citizens, or by companies, trusts or entities that are themselves at least 75% citizen-owned. Put plainly: no licence where a foreigner holds more than a quarter, unless the exemption route is used.

That route is narrow. The Authority may recommend to the Minister that a licence still be issued to an applicant with foreign ownership above 25%, but only where the applicant holds a permit or exemption under the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sectors) Regulations, 2025, demonstrates a significant economic contribution, and submits a business plan approved by the Minister of Industry and Commerce with measurable commitments on skills transfer, technology transfer, local value-chain development, and corporate social investment in under-serviced areas. POTRAZ must pass the application on with its recommendation within 30 days.

Existing licensees are not grandfathered. Any licensee whose ownership does not comply must submit a regularisation plan to POTRAZ within 90 days of commencement, showing how it will comply within three years — or longer if the Minister approves on good cause. The plan must set out a divestment timeline, annual targets for reducing foreign ownership, and sworn affidavits disclosing every beneficial owner.

From now on, every licensee must also notify POTRAZ in writing at least 30 days before any proposed change of ownership. The Authority has 30 days to object if the change would break these rules, and a change cannot be implemented while an objection stands.

The regulations do not state a commencement date, which matters because the 90-day and three-year clocks run from commencement.