Mitigating The Effects of International Economic Sanctions on Zimbabwe: Policy Options for Economic Recovery and National Security

ABSTRACT International economic sanctions have been imposed on Zimbabwe since 2002 to address political, governance and human rights issues, mostly by Western countries. These sanctions have been a drain on economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), high levels of inflation in the years since, and a limitation of access to international financial institutions and low levels of national industry productivity, provoking national security concerns over time. The study focused on policy options to reduce the impact of international economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, considering their potential role in economic recovery and building resilience against the threat of such sanctions. A qualitative approach with a case study design was used, in which only secondary data derived from peer-reviewed literature, Government publications, policy documents and reports from international and regional institutions were used. Thematic content analysis was used to assess the measures already in place to mitigate sanctions, and to determine sustainable policy strategies in the economic and diplomatic field. The results show that despite several policy changes such as the Look East Policy, the integration of regional markets, import substitution, economic diplomacy, industrialisation, etc. in Zimbabwe, the implementation of the policy measures was hindered by macroeconomic instability, structural economic problems and its continued state of financial isolation. The research also showed that a sustainable policy framework for mitigating sanctions must be an integrated policy that incorporates economic diversification, industrial revitalisation, macroeconomic stability, export promotion, mobilisation of public and private investment, regional integration, and strengthening diplomatic engagement. The study recommends measures to strengthen domestic productive capacity, improve governance and institutional transparency, enhance regional trade via the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and deepen re-engagement with the international community to access development financial flows, to unlock productive investment and to facilitate sustainable economic recovery. The study concludes that there are key economic and diplomatic strategies to coordinate to improve Zimbabwe's long-term economic resilience, sustainable recovery and national security. Keywords: International economic sanctions; Zimbabwe; economic recovery; national security; economic resilience; economic diplomacy; regional integration.