World Factbook
Zimbabwe
Republic of Zimbabwe
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: seven equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green, with a white isosceles triangle edged in black based on the left side; in the middle of the triangle, a yellow bird is on top of a five-pointed red star meaning: the bird represents the long history of the country; white stands for peace, green for agriculture, yellow for mineral wealth, red for the blood shed to achieve independence, and black for the people
Capital
name
Harare
etymology
named after a village of Harare at the site of the present capital; the village name derived from a Shona chieftain, NE-HARAWA, whose name meant "he who does not sleep"
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 49 S, 31 02 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1965 (at Rhodesian independence), 1979 (Lancaster House Agreement), 1980 (at Zimbabwean independence); latest final draft completed January 2013, approved by referendum 16 March 2013, approved by Parliament 9 May 2013, effective 22 May 2013
amendment process
proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament and assent of the president of the republic; amendments to constitutional chapters on fundamental human rights and freedoms and on agricultural lands also require approval by a majority of votes cast in a referendum
Country name
former
Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia
etymology
takes its name from the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (13th-15th century) and its capital of Great Zimbabwe, which was built of stone; the name Zimbabwe comes from the Bantu phrase zimba we bahwe , meaning "houses of stones;" the former name, Rhodesia, was derived from the name of British colonial administrator Cecil RHODES
conventional long form
Republic of Zimbabwe
conventional short form
Zimbabwe
Independence
18 April 1980 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, Roman-Dutch civil law, and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 4 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court; Labor Court; Administrative Court; regional magistrate courts; customary law courts; special courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges appointed by the president on recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, an independent body consisting of the chief justice, Public Service Commission chairman, attorney general, and 2-3 members appointed by the president; judges normally serve until age 65 but can elect to serve until age 70; Constitutional Court judge appointment NA; judges serve nonrenewable 15-year terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by president, responsible to National Assembly
chief of state
President Emmerson Dambudzo MNANGAGWA (since 4 September 2023)
election results
2023: Emmerson MNANGAGWA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Emmerson MNANGAGWA (ZANU-PF) 52.6%, Nelson CHAMISA (MDC-T) 44%, Wilbert MUBAIWA (NPC) 1.2%, other 2.2% 2018: Emmerson MNANGAGWA elected president in first round; percent of vote - Emmerson MNANGAGWA (ZANU-PF) 50.7%, Nelson CHAMISA (MDC-T) 44.4%, Thokozani KHUPE (MDC-N) 0.9%, other 4%
head of government
Vice President Constantino CHIWENGA (since 11 September 2023)
most recent election date
23 August 2023
election/appointment process
each presidential candidate nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least 1 candidate from each province) and directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (no term limits); co-vice presidents drawn from party leadership
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red, black, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Mana Pools National Park, Sapi, and Chewore Safari Areas (n); Great Zimbabwe National Monument (c); Khami Ruins National Monument (c); Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls (n); Matobo Hills (c)
Political parties
Citizens Coalition for Change Movement for Democratic Change or MDC-T National People's Congress or NPC Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Ndebele] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)
history
adopted 1994; lyrics in the country's three main languages were written by Zimbabwean poet and academic MUTSWAIRO
lyrics/music
Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA
National symbol(s)
Zimbabwe bird symbol, African fish eagle, flame lily
Administrative divisions
8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands
Legislative branch - lower chamber
note
note: 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 additional seats are reserved for candidates aged 21 - 35
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
280 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
45161
expected date of next election
August 2028
percentage of women in chamber
30.1%
parties elected and seats per party
ZANU-PF (175); Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) (104)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
note
note: 18 seats are reserved for the National Council Chiefs, and 2 reserved for members with disabilities
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
80 (60 directly elected; 20 indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
45161
expected date of next election
August 2028
percentage of women in chamber
44.3%
parties elected and seats per party
ZANU-PF (33); Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) (27)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 483-9326
chancery
1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone
[1] (202) 332-7100
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Sarah BHOROMA (since 12 November 2024)
email address and website
general@zimembassydc.org https://zimembassydc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[263] 24-233-4320
embassy
2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill, Harare
telephone
[263] 867-701-1000
mailing address
2180 Harare Place, Washington DC 20521-2180
chief of mission
Ambassador Pamela M. TREMONT (since August 2024)
email address and website
consularharare@state.gov https://zw.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt