Government has intensified its efforts to enhance the ease of doing business environment, with a comprehensive review of business licensing frameworks aimed at aligning them with international best practices, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, and fostering a climate conducive to both local and foreign investment.
Speaking during a Post-Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare this Tuesday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, announced sweeping reforms designed to simplify business operations and sustain economic growth above six percent.
“Cabinet approved the consolidation of fragmented licensing requirements into a single licence, the streamlining of duplicative and overlapping permits, the removal of unnecessary levies, and the lowering of high fees across major wholesale and retail sub-sectors,” said Dr Muswere.
Under the new reforms, several business licence fees have been drastically reduced or abolished altogether.
The Liquor licence application fee, for instance, has been slashed from US$1,080 for wholesalers to US$20 across all sectors.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) permit fee of US$200 for trading in veterinary products has been completely scrapped, while the Local Authority bakery licence fee of US$703 will no longer be charged.
To ensure consistency and fairness, local authority licence fees will now be capped and standardised nationwide, removing disparities that had previously hindered business growth in certain regions.
Dr Muswere confirmed that the reviewed fees and licensing structures will undergo further refinements before they are formally gazetted.
The Minister welcomed the move, noting that excessive and fragmented licensing costs imposed by local authorities had long discouraged investment.
“These reforms will eliminate the inefficiencies that have made doing business expensive and unpredictable. The goal is to make Zimbabwe one of the most attractive investment destinations in the region,” he said.
Beyond licensing reforms, Cabinet also reviewed progress across key economic sectors, particularly agriculture and infrastructure, which remain central to Zimbabwe’s growth strategy.
Dr Muswere reported that Zimbabwe remains food secure, with the Government accelerating dam construction projects to bolster climate resilience and support irrigation farming. Since the start of the 2025 marketing season on 24 July, a total of 28.7 million kilogrammes of cotton have been sold to six contractors, a 108% increase from the previous year.
In the tobacco sector, sales have reached an impressive 354.8 million kilogrammes, generating US$1.17 billion, while seed sales rose by 13% compared to 2024. The area under irrigated tobacco has also expanded by 11.5%, reaching 15,655 hectares.
Furthermore Dr Muswere, said work continues on strengthening water infrastructure, with 12 new dams currently under construction in addition to the existing 10,600 nationwide. Major ongoing projects include the Kunzvi Dam and Gwayi-Shangani Lake, both critical to national water security.
Meanwhile, Cabinet reviewed progress on the Five Miles Industrial Park in Hwange, which will house a 235-megawatt power plant, a cement factory, and a coking plant.
“The integrated industrial project aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030 objectives of promoting value addition, beneficiation, job creation, and GDP growth. To date, the project has achieved an installed power generation capacity of 100 megawatts, 250,000 tonnes of coke production, and 100,000 tonnes of cement annually,” said Dr Muswere.
The streamlining of fees and continued investment in industrial and agricultural infrastructure reaffirm the Second Republic’s commitment to creating a competitive, transparent, and inclusive business environment. These measures not only strengthen investor confidence but also accelerate Zimbabwe’s journey toward middle-income status by 2030, ensuring that economic growth translates into improved livelihoods across both rural and urban communities.
Slashing of business fees is a positive move which will stimulate entrepreneurship, attract investment, and promote the growth of small and medium enterprises. It will also help ease the cost of doing business, thereby creating more job opportunities and contributing to overall economic growth. Thanks to the Second Republic under the wise leadership of President ED Mnangagwa….