Government will channel revenue collected from taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods towards strengthening nutrition programmes and combating the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Cabinet has announced.
The initiative, which forms part of the Nutrition Financing Strategy, is aimed at increasing investment in nutrition interventions while addressing the health risks associated with unhealthy diets.
Addressing the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the strategy would ensure sustainable funding for nutrition and disease prevention programmes.
“Cabinet noted that the nutrition gains are threatened by the increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods, leading to rising rates of obesity, overweight and diet-related non-communicable diseases,” said Dr Soda.
“The Nutrition Financing Strategy will therefore increase resources towards nutrition and NCD prevention programmes through the deployment of resources from sugar-sweetened beverages and fast-food tax revenue.”
He said the funds would be directed towards key priority areas, including health and nutrition, agriculture and food systems, coordination and programme management, human capital development, social protection, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), advocacy and communication, as well as research, development and innovation.
The announcement follows Zimbabwe’s improved performance on the 2025 Global Hunger Index, which Government attributed to interventions such as the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, the Food Deficit and Drought Mitigation Programme and nutrition initiatives spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the Principles for the Amendment of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act to modernise the country’s tobacco regulatory framework.
“Cabinet received and approved the Principles for the Amendment of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Act, which was presented by the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development. The resulting Act will address the several changes that have occurred in the nature of the industry since the last amendment in 1997,” Dr Soda said.
He said the amendments would allow the Tobacco Research Board to operate under a name reflecting its expanded mandate, including research on both manufactured and unmanufactured tobacco products.
“The proposed amendments will further enhance the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board’s regulatory measures for the industry and align the current Act to the provisions of the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act and the Public Finance Management Act,” he added.
Cabinet also considered measures to improve competitiveness in the mining sector, noting that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has issued more than 60 000 mining licences to date as part of efforts to stimulate growth in the extractive industry.
