President Mnangagwa Orders Review of Business Fees to Ease Operating Costs

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed government ministries and agencies to scale back the high number of levies, licences, and permit fees that are inflating the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe.

This directive, announced by Information Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, is part of a larger government effort to enhance the ease of doing business in 12 strategic sectors, including agriculture, tourism, retail, health, energy, transport, telecoms, manufacturing, construction, liquor, financial services, and broadcasting.

According to Dr. Muswere, Cabinet has formally approved this reform initiative in response to concerns raised by President Mnangagwa earlier this year regarding the financial burden placed on businesses by overlapping and excessive regulatory charges.

“Cabinet considered and approved a comprehensive review of the fees, licences, levies, and permits imposed on businesses by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The President had earlier expressed alarm over how these charges were inflating operational costs and discouraging entrepreneurship,” Muswere said.

A recent government analysis supported this concern, revealing that many businesses must secure multiple permits from different regulatory bodies to operate legally. This fragmented system leads to high costs, administrative delays, and confusion.

To tackle the problem, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and other key departments, has been tasked with conducting a detailed, sector-by-sector evaluation of all current business-related fees. The aim is to streamline processes, eliminate unnecessary overlaps, and lower costs. Private sector stakeholders will be engaged throughout the process to ensure reforms reflect practical realities.

This review will be conducted using a 100-day “Accelerator Model” approach, with set deadlines and specific milestones. Once the assessments are complete, the recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet, and any changes will be implemented through legislative or regulatory amendments.

Dr. Muswere emphasized that this initiative seeks to reduce regulatory burdens, improve Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global stage, stimulate investment, and create jobs. These reforms are aligned with the country’s broader Vision 2030 development goals.

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