Bulawayo businesses demand AI to cut council red tape

THE business community in Bulawayo has expressed concern over slow Bulawayo City Council (BCC) approval processes, saying it stifled investment and economic activity and implored the local authority to consider adopting artificial intelligence (AI), policy reforms and staff training to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks.

The concerns were raised after the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) engaged BCC on the ease of doing business and submitted a detailed document highlighting delays in council’s application processes.

Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, told council that the ZNCC had identified slow application processes as a major stumbling block, identifying key factors contributing to the challenge as outdated policies, inadequate understanding of procedures by some officials, fear of making decisions and corruption loopholes created by bureaucratic processes.

The business community’s intervention comes at a time when the Bulawayo is seeking to revive economic activity and attract fresh investment. Councillors warned that lengthy municipal processes could discourage investors from setting up businesses in the city.

“Some council policies are outdated and need to be reviewed while still ensuring compliance with the law,” said Clr Coltart.

He also advocated for the use of AI in Council systems to reduce bureaucracy, arguing that technology was increasingly being used globally to make work easier and more efficient.

The proposed technological shift could see more BCC processes being digitised and automated, potentially reducing paperwork, shortening approval timelines and improving communication between applicants and municipal departments.

Council also acknowledged that staff capacity was contributing to delays.

“It has become apparent that some council officials are not adequately trained and we are calling for increased training of staff in their respective areas,” said Clr Coltart.

Corruption was also identified as a concern, with councillors acknowledging that some bureaucratic processes could create loopholes for corrupt practices.

The concerns are already evident in individual development applications before council.
Councillors complained about the slow pace of development in the city and argued that investors should be assisted to navigate council procedures.

One councillor said development in the city was moving slowly. He warned that excessive bureaucracy could undermine investment, saying most business people needed assistance to follow council procedures.

“No investor would want to invest in the city with a lot of bureaucracy,” he said.

The debate comes against a backdrop of wider concerns about the city’s economic performance, with councillors calling for measures to stimulate investment, increase economic activity and make

Bulawayo more attractive to businesses.

The slow processing of applications also has the potential to push entrepreneurs towards operating outside the formal municipal framework.

Councillors noted that in Cowdray Park residents had started operating illegal shops after the local authority delayed advertising a tender for commercial stands despite some residents demonstrating the capacity to invest in and stock formal businesses.