Prospects and challenges for the development of e-commerce in Zimbabwe: A legal perspective

The emergence of the digital economy has resulted in a wave of automation that has fundamentally altered peoples' lives. The digital economy through e-commerce has stirred an economic revolution which has shifted the traditional marketplace to a virtual marketplace, thereby enabling people to conduct trade without any form of physical contact. Due to its unprecedented advantages, e-commerce has offered a unique opportunity for developing countries, particularly those in Africa, to participate and contribute to global trade. Despite its numerous advantages, countries such as Zimbabwe are grappling with harnessing the advantages of e-commerce in a way that contributes to economic development. It is within this context that the article examines the regulation of e-commerce in Zimbabwe, and it questions whether the current legal framework is adequate to accommodate and promote the development of e-commerce in the digital economy. The article observes that the current regulation of e-commerce in Zimbabwe is archaic, fragmented and inadequate. The article further discusses some challenges that are inhibiting the successful adoption of e-commerce in Zimbabwe and proffer recommendations that might enable the country to harness the benefits of e-commerce and effectively participate in the digital economy.