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Zimbabwe

Africa

CAAZ — Part 180, Regulations for Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAV Systems

Zimbabwe regulates drones through CAAZ (Part 180). A registration certificate is always required, with additional requirements above 20 kg (or above 2 kg if the drone has autonomous capability).

Max altitude

122 m

Limit of 400 feet above the surface in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) within aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ/CTR). Upon sighting a manned aircraft, the drone must descend by at least 100 feet.

Operator registration

Yes, required

A registration certificate and marking are mandatory for all RPA; additional certification requirements apply above 20 kg (or above 2 kg with autonomous capability). Temporary import permits require an application at least 30 days in advance; flight clearance certificates are valid for a maximum of 3 months.

Pilot license

Not required

No details on a separate pilot certificate appear in the text consulted.

Insurance

Recommended / conditional

Mandatory (a dedicated section of the regulation); minimum coverage amounts are not specified in the excerpt consulted.

Zones to avoid

Forbidden within a 3 nautical mile radius of a controlled or uncontrolled aerodrome without authorization. Minimum distance of 30 m from people/structures not involved in the operation or from public roads, unless exempted.

What isn't 100% confirmed yet

Data verified against the text of the 2016 'CAAZ Part 180' draft (industry-consultation version, 31 pages): secondary legal sources indicate it was folded into Statutory Instrument 271 of 2018, but it could not be confirmed that the final gazetted text is byte-identical to this draft.

Verify officially before flying

Source: CAAZ — Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe

Open official site

Last checked: 2026-08

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Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.