Zimbabwe
Africa · 16 specs
Direct Answer
Zimbabwe (ZW / ZWE / 716) operates on a 230 V, 50 Hz electrical grid using Type G sockets. Traffic drives on the left (LHT). The official currency is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG, ZiG) & USD, country calling code is +263, emergency dispatch is 999 (994 Fire / 995 Police), and paper standard is ISO 216 A4.
Source: National Standards / ISO 3166-1 / IEC World Plugs · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Zimbabwe ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | ZW |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | ZWE |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 716 UN M49 (Code 002) |
| Country Calling Code | +263 ITU-T E.164 |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .zw IANA Registry |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG, ZiG) & US Dollar (USD) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V, 50 Hz National Grid Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type G |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Left-Hand Traffic (LHT / RHD) Vienna/Geneva Conventions |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 999 (994 Fire / 995 Police) Emergency Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | Postal system (Harare) National Postal Standard |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+0 to UTC+4 (Africa Region) No DST |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V, 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type G (BS 1363, 13 A fused). Zimbabwe standardized on the British three-pin Type G socket as a former UK colony; Type D sockets are not part of the current national standard.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +263. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 999 (994 Fire / 995 Police). Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the left (LHT) with Right-Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG, ZiG), introduced April 2024 to replace the hyperinflation-hit Zimbabwean dollar, alongside the US Dollar (USD).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+0 to UTC+4 (Africa Region).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Postal system (Harare).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Zimbabwe.