Government Slashes Licence and Permit Fees to Cut Business Costs

The Government has significantly reduced licence, permit, levy, and fee charges across the retail and wholesale sectors as part of ongoing business reforms aimed at lowering the cost of doing business, boosting competitiveness, and accelerating economic growth.

According to Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr. Jenfan Muswere in a Cabinet meeting, the government approved the sweeping changes during its latest sitting, in line with the earlier Cabinet decision of 29 July 2025, which endorsed reforms across twelve key sectors of the economy.

“The Liquor Licence application fee has been slashed to US$20 across all categories a massive reduction from the previous US$1 080 for wholesale liquor licences.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) permit fee of US$200 for trading in veterinary products has been completely removed, while the Local Authority bakery licence fee of US$703 has also been abolished,” said Dr. Muswere.

The Government has capped all Local Authority fees to promote uniformity and fairness nationwide.

“To the retail and wholesale sectors, Cabinet also approved reductions for cross-cutting fees affecting multiple industries.

These include shop, trading, and business licences, Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) licences, fire compliance licences, environmental assessment consultation fees, property change of use charges, and banking fees,” He added.

Key revisions include a reduction of the PRAZ regulatory licence fee for groceries and provisions from US$120 to US$20, a 50% cut in the Health Report licence fee (previously pegged at US$661), and a drop in the NSSA elevator registration fee from US$200 to US$20.

Bank charges and transfer fees will also be reduced to encourage the use of formal banking channels.