Editor's choice
A mining title in Zimbabwe used to be a thing one owned. Like a house, like a parcel of land, like a debt instrument. One paid the fees, held the certificate, and the document was good against the world. What you did with it was a commercial question, not a legal one. The asset existed independently of the activity on the ground.
Zimbabwe faces a dual crisis of severe energy shortages and a chronic housing deficit, both of which present significant opportunities for debt fund and private equity investment (“Private Credit”). Renewable energy and real estate are gaining prominence as core and core plus investments respectively. Private Credit can offer flexible and innovative funding to realise high returns. The energy crisis is stark, with frequent power outages at times lasting up to 18 hours a day due to an aging infrastructure. According to the World Bank, only 40% of Zimbabweans have access to electricity, with rural electrification rates as low as 19%. Some listed companies have reported a 20-40% increase in generator fuel usage in 2024 alone, owing to extended loadshedding.
On the 13th of September, Zimbabwe launched new regulations under the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] (the “Act”). Known as the Cyber and Data Protection (Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of Data Protection Officers) Regulations, 2024 (hereafter “SI 155”), these rules set clear standards for entities handling personal data, prioritizing accountability and safeguarding individuals' personal information.
DLA Piper Africa has showcased its pan-African strength at the African Legal Awards 2024 by securing several prestigious awards, including the highly coveted African Network/Alliance of the Year award and three out of four regional awards.