Government has allocated US$10 million towards local content production as part of a major strategy to strengthen and expand the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) television and radio platforms, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere has announced.
Speaking at a ZBC stakeholder engagement workshop in Harare, yesterday, attended by independent producers, filmmakers, and media industry experts. Dr Muswere said recent legislative and policy reforms have created a solid foundation for growth within the broadcasting sector. He noted that these reforms place a renewed obligation on content creators to help build a professional, ethical and economically viable media industry.
The engagement forum is gathering industry perspectives to guide the development of a structured framework that will support content producers working within the national broadcasting environment. It also aims to reinforce heritage-based programming.
Dr Muswere confirmed that the US$10 million facility will be accessible to local producers, adding that Government will soon convene pre-budget consultations to guide the establishment of content creation hubs in all ten provinces. These hubs are expected to support filmmakers, musicians and other creatives across the value chain.
He also revealed that work is progressing on a Film Policy and a National Language Policy, both set to be presented to Cabinet in the first quarter of the year.
“The National Arts Council has a database of 3 500 registered players, and it is now upon the Council, independent producers and many others to generate content that we can all be proud of,” Dr Muswere said.
He emphasised that increasing audience numbers depends on compelling, relevant programming, stressing that building a strong local film ecosystem requires adequate support for the public broadcaster.
“In broadcasting, viewership follows content. For us to succeed in creating a viable film industry, the foundation lies in capacitating the public broadcaster. I can confidently assure you all that part of the public broadcaster’s 2026 budget includes an equivalent of US$10 million for content producers,” he said.
Dr Muswere added that public funding for ZBC must deliver direct benefits to Zimbabwean creatives, describing the initiative as a practical expression of the corporation’s strategic vision.
“We cannot have all citizens contributing to the public broadcaster if Zimbabwean players, producers, musicians and filmmakers are not benefiting from these funds. This aligns with ZBC’s strategic plan, and it is now up to all content creators to entertain, educate and inform Zimbabweans and the world about our national progress as we move toward an upper-middle-income society.”
ZBC Chief Executive Officer, Sugar Chagonda, echoed this commitment, stating that the broadcaster is open to broad-based partnerships across the creative sector.
“The public broadcaster is ready to work with everyone. We want to hear from you, we want to work and grow with you. Let us all tell Zimbabwe’s story together,” he said.
