Overview
UN Sanctions
There are no UN sanctions on Zimbabwe.
EU Sanctions
The EU introduced sanctions in relation to Zimbabwe in response to the escalation of violence and intimidation of political opponents and the harassment of the independent press in 2002 – an embargo on arms and equipment which might be used for internal repression, travel bans, and asset freezes.
The designation criteria was expanded in 2008 in response to violence during the Zimbabwean presidential campaign. In response to the progress made in the Zimbabwean constitutional referendum in March 2013, the EU suspended the travel bans and asset freezes applying to the majority of individuals and entities on the sanctions list. In February 2025, the EU delisted the only remaining entity on the list.
There are currently no entries on the EU’s Zimbabwe sanctions list, but the EU arms embargo on Zimbabwe remains in place.
Current EU sanctions are contained in Council Decision 2011/101/CFSP and Council Regulation (EC) No 314/2004.
UK sanctions
The UK adopted the Zimbabwe (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 in January 2021. They aim to encourage the Government of Zimbabwe, and any person or entity who may be involved in human rights abuses to: (i) respect democratic principles and institutions and the rule of law; (ii) refrain from actions, policies or activities which repress civil society in Zimbabwe; and (iii) comply with international human rights law and respect human rights.
In May 2025, the UK removed the last entries from its Zimbabwe sanctions list.
US Sanctions
The US revoked its Zimbabwe sanctions regime in March 2024. It continues to impose sanctions on certain Zimbabwean individuals under the corruption sanctions regime.
