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This study undertakes a critical assessment of the legal protection of foreign direct investments (FDI) in South Africa and Zimbabwe by determining their compliance with the international minimum standards, norms and/or best practices on the legal protection of FDI by host states. Firstly, the study argues that foreign investment is much needed in South Africa and Zimbabwe to improve economic growth and development, to create jobs, and to increase their competitiveness. However, these benefits are not accrued automatically but rather host states need to create an enabling environment to receive such benefits. Thus, host states need to put an investment scheme into operation to guarantee the legal protection of foreign investments. South Africa and Zimbabwe have at large crafted and implemented investment laws and related policies which tend to be hostile towards foreign investments. Therefore, similar investment laws and related policies in both jurisdictions are analysed. This study will also offer recommendations for a legal investment which is not only flexible, friendly, and favourable to foreign investment in South Africa and Zimbabwe but also advances their local economic policies.

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Talkmore Chidede is lawyer by profession with two years of experience in legal compliance, research and consultancy as well as policy advocacy. He holds a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) (cum laude) in international investment law and also holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB), both from the University of Fort Hare, East London South Africa. He is certified in Right to Development in Africa and Indigenous Peoples´ Right, having earned both certificates from the the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has extensive experience in international investment law, human rights law, corporate and commercial law as well as development law.

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