Online Reporter
We publish here the 30th post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, in Harare yesterday.
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Cabinet considered and approved the Update on the 2024-2025 Summer Crop Marketing and the 2025 Winter Production Plan.
As at 2nd October 2025, a total of 882 230 tonnes comprising maize, soyabeans, sorghum, wheat, and sunflower has been sold formally. This grain and oilseed intake is 387 percent above the intake recorded at the same time last year. The Grain Marketing Board’s intake is 148,16 percent above last year’s intake.
The Strategic Grain Reserve currently holds 141 943 tonnes of grains in stock. As part of promoting value chain financing of production to ensure food and nutrition security, and in terms of standing policy since August 2020, millers are required to secure at least 40 percent of their raw material requirements through contracting farmers.
Meanwhile, a total of 28,7 million kilogrammes of cotton has been sold to six contractors since the cotton marketing season started on July 24, 2025. This reflects a 108 percent increase above the volume marketed at the same time last year. Similarly, as at October 2, 2025, tobacco sales have reached a record 354,8 million kilogrammes, valued at US$1 178 458 265. Tobacco seed sales are 13 percent firmer compared to the same time in 2024, which augurs well for attaining the 2025/2026 production target of 360 million kilogrammes. The area planted to irrigated tobacco is 15 655 hectares, marking an 11,5 percent growth compared to the 14 046 hectares recorded during the same period of 2024. The Winter Cereals Plan has targeted 135 500 hectares comprising wheat 120 000 hectares (ha); barley 6 500 ha; and potatoes 9 000 ha, with estimated yields of 600 000 tonnes for wheat, and 39 000 tonnes and 243 000 tonnes for barley and potatoes, respectively. To date, 3 434 hectares of the 2025 winter crop of wheat have been harvested. Migratory pest control and surveillance continue across all provinces, and the Government reassures farmers that there is enough manpower, vehicles, sprayers, and chemicals to respond to any outbreak.
UPDATE ON THE CLOUD SEEDING PROGRAMME FOR THE 2025-2026 SUMMER CROPPING SEASON
Cabinet considered and adopted the cloud seeding programme for the 2025-2026 Summer Cropping Season.
The Aircraft Cloud Seeding Systems, which Zimbabwe currently uses, have been selected as the most practical and effective in terms of flexibility, coverage, and precise targeting for large-scale operations, making it ideal for comprehensive cloud seeding initiatives in Zimbabwe. These systems will be complemented by drone technology. A Whole-of-Government Approach has been adopted to ensure timely and efficient operations.
REVIEW OF LICENCES, PERMITS, LEVIES AND FEES IN THE RETAIL AND WHOLESALE SECTORS
Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies, and fees in the retail and wholesale sectors in line with the Cabinet decision of July 29, 2025, which approved the implementation of a raft of business reforms in twelve sectors of the economy.
The review process is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness, and enhancing the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.
Cabinet approved the consolidation of fragmented licensing requirements into a single licence, the streamlining of duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, the removal of unnecessary levies and fees, and the lowering of high levies and fees for the wholesale and selected major retail sub-sectors comprising the wholesale sector; supermarket and groceries; meat and meat products retail shops and butcheries; and clothing shops and furniture shops. Cabinet approved the following selected reviews:
i. The Liquor licence application fee is to be reduced to US$20 across all sectors. For example, this is a reduction from US$1 080 for the Wholesale Liquor licence application;
ii. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) permit pegged at US$200 for trade in veterinary products to be totally removed;
iii. The Local Authority bakery licence fee of US$703 is to be totally removed; and
iv. The threshold of fees for all Local Authorities is being capped for uniformity.
The reviewed licences, permits, and fees will be subjected to further refinements, and the appropriate schedule shall be duly gazetted.
Cabinet also reviewed cross-cutting licences, permits, levies, and fees that have a significant impact beyond the wholesale and retail sectors and relate to the following: shop/trading/business licences by Local Authorities; Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) licences; fire compliance licences by Local Authorities; Environmental Assessment consultation fees; property change of use fees, and bank charges. Cabinet approved the following selected reviews:
i. The PRAZ regulatory licence on groceries and provisions pegged at US$120 has been reduced to only US$20;
ii. The threshold of fees for all Local Authorities is being capped for uniformity.
iii. The Health Report licence fee pegged at US$661 has been reduced by 50 percent;
iv. The reduction of NSSA Elevator registration fee is to be reduced from US$200 to US$20; and
v. Reduction of bank charges and transfer fees to promote banking.
Again, the reviewed licences, permits, and fees will be subjected to further refinements, and the appropriate schedule shall be duly gazetted.
PROPOSED PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE 3RD 100-DAY CYCLE FOR 2025
Cabinet received and approved a compendium of 214 priority Rapid Results-targeted projects being implemented under the Third 100-Day Cycle of 2025, covering the period from August 26, 2025 to December 3, 2025.
The Government continues to leverage the Rapid Results Initiative, which is a proven approach tailored to catalyse transformative and impactful change in line with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
Out of the 215 projects being implemented nationwide through collaborative efforts by 25 line Ministries, 55 are new while 159 are ongoing. The citizen-centric projects are aligned to the 14 National Development Strategy 1 Thematic Areas and resonate with the aspirations of communities and special needs groups in “leaving no one and no place behind.”
The projects are being implemented across the 10 provinces of the country. Notably, some of the projects reaffirm the country’s engagement and re-engagement efforts with friendly countries under the auspices of various Memoranda of Understanding, in particular, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Other projects also emanated from the resolutions of the 21st ZANU-PF National People’s Conference.
The provincial distribution of the projects is based on equity and the genuine needs of the local populace. Twenty-seven projects are being implemented nationally, while 11 are being implemented at both regional and international levels. Other projects are replicated in more than one province. The Government will continue to ensure effective implementation and target achievement through ongoing project monitoring, evaluation, and learning by respective Ministries.
REPORT ON THE FIVE MILES HWANGE INDUSTRIAL PARK BY ZHONGJIN-HELI (ZH) ENERGY
Cabinet considered and noted the Report on the Five Miles Hwange Industrial Park being implemented by ZH Energy.
The Five Miles Industrial Park is a significant, integrated industrial project in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province. On completion, the integrated project shall include a 235MW coal power plant, a cement factory producing 500 000 tonnes annually, and a coking plant producing 500 000 per annum. To date, the company now has an installed capacity of 100 megawatts, which it is already feeding into the national grid; coke production of 250 000 tonnes per year; and cement production of 100 000 tonnes per year. The project is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and fulfils Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goals of promoting value addition and beneficiation, job creation, and Gross Domestic Product growth.
REPORT ON THE WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE SITUATION IN ZIMBABWE
Cabinet received and noted the Update on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Situation in Zimbabwe as at September 30, 2025.
The WASH sector plays a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s development agenda as it underpins healthy communities for economic transformation. The Government has institutionalised a multi-sectoral National Action Committee chaired by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development to spearhead sector policy and strategy development. A dedicated Directorate for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene has also been established in the Ministry to oversee national water and wastewater regulatory responsibilities.
Cabinet advises that the current dam water levels across the country as at September 25, 2025 are 77,8 percent full. The levels are above the 64,6 percent level expected at this time of the year. The dams provided adequate supplies of raw water to cover irrigation demands for winter cropping and will be able to irrigate the early summer crop. The total area under irrigation from major dams, small dams, boreholes, and weirs is 223 349 hectares against a target of 496 000 hectares by 2030. According to the 2025 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee Report, 97 percent of the population now has access to safe drinking water. The national access to sanitation facilities stands at 77,1 percent, demonstrating a corresponding increase in access to basic sanitation services for both urban and rural communities.
Meanwhile, the Government is keenly monitoring the water security situation in rural and urban areas, where most centres will be assured of adequate raw water for periods ranging between 5 to 21 months of supply. Where centres show signs of inadequate supply, remedial interventions will be instituted. In the case of the City of Bulawayo, water supply is currently being augmented through groundwater supply from the Nyamandlovu Aquifer and the 60 boreholes that were rehabilitated under the Second Republic. Over 300 boreholes have been drilled in Harare to augment strained water supplies.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme is positively impacting livelihoods with 4 194 boreholes drilled across rural villages and 906 business units established across the country’s ten provinces. The Government has prioritised the funding and completion of Kunzvi Dam and Lake Gwayi-Shangani.
REPORT ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTERS
Report on His Excellency the President’s Attendance at the Inauguration of His Excellency Peter Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi
Cabinet received and noted the Report on His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa’s attendance at the Inauguration Ceremony of the President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, and the Vice President, Justice Dr Jane Ansah on October 4, 2025.
The attendance by the President underscored the solidarity and shared commitment to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation with Malawi. The event marked a positive future political outlook for Malawi amid increasing prospects for enhanced cooperation between the two countries. The presence of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states signalled both the bloc and indeed Zimbabwe’s singular commitment to support Malawi’s democratic processes and institutions.
I THANK YOU!
