Online Reporter
We publish here the 13th post Cabinet media briefing presented by Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu in Harare yesterday.
REVIEW OF LICENCES, PERMITS, LEVIES AND FEES IN THE MINING SECTOR
Cabinet noted and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees charged by ministries, departments and agencies in the mining sector, which was presented by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube.
The review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the mining sector is in compliance 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, enhancing the viability of enterprises and enabling the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.
More specifically, Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees and lowered unjustifiably high levies and fees for the mining sector as per the following highlights:
Duplicative and overlapping licences and permits are now streamlined under a single regulatory authority;
Over 80 percent of the mining sector fees that are considered reasonable have been maintained;
Fee differentials based on operator’s capacity to pay have been introduced, with licence fees for artisanal and small-scale mines being pegged at a fraction of fees payable by large firms;
New regulatory fees such as gold jewellery permit and application for registration of approved processing plants for lithium have been introduced;
Registration fees to deal with precious stones have been reduced and will be payable every 5 years;
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development annual fees for the first, second and subsequent inspection fees for block of claims (Base Minerals, Precious Metals and Mining Lease) have been reduced;
Trading on mining location fee has been scrapped; and
The diamond cutting and polishing licence fee has been reduced;
Rural district councils land development levies are now being standardised.
Cabinet also considered policy and legislative issues affecting the mining sector, including the ongoing review of the Mines and Minerals Act; the development of the Minerals Development Policy, and the operationalisation of the Mining Cadastre System to ensure that mining licences are granted, tracked and managed in a legally binding and accurate manner. Other issues include capacitation of the relevant regulatory bodies to strengthen oversight of the mining sector and the formalisation of small-scale mining operations.
REPORT ON THE 2026 ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
Cabinet noted the report on the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair as presented by Industry and Commerce, Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu.
The 66th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair was officially opened by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko on April 23. The fair was held under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”.
The number of exhibitors increased from 795 in 2025 to 812 in 2026, with 98 being first-time exhibitors. The exhibition further witnessed an increase in private sector participation which accounted for 61 percent of exhibitors, complemented by a 39 percent contingent of Government entities.
Among the major highlights of the fair was the Rural Industrialisation and Economic Empowerment Indaba held on April 20, where strategies to strengthen linkages between large-scale industry and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises focusing on agro-processing and mineral beneficiation at local level were discussed.
The ZITF 2026 Youth in Business Forum held on April 21 focused on the topic “Youth Financial Inclusion: Closing Gaps in Connected Economies” in order to empower young entrepreneurs with financing and innovation opportunities.
A US$1 million Youth Economic Empowerment Fund was launched to support youth-led business growth and development.
The International Business Conference held on April 22 drew more than 600 delegates. Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the shift from raw resource exports towards domestic manufacturing and value addition in mining the and agriculture sectors.
Notably, the private sector called for a freeze on new regulations whose effect is to increase levies and licences, in order to address operational challenges.
The Connect Africa Symposium held on April 24 brought together more than 300 delegates to address the future of continental commerce. In his keynote address, Vice President Mohadi reiterated the need to optimise trade policies to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area and to also harmonise standards as a key enabler of trade.
The Digital Economy Conference 2026 reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s strategic commitment to accelerating digital transformation as a key enabler of economic growth.
The conference successfully positioned Artificial Intelligence as a practical tool for driving innovation, improving public service delivery and enhancing productivity across sectors such as agriculture, mining, health and education.
The Trade Fair was a resounding success, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s status as a premier destination for investment and trade under the Second Republic.
THE RESEARCH AMENDMENT BILL, 2026
Cabinet noted and approved the Research Amendment Bill, which was presented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The Bill seeks to amend the Research Act [Chapter 10:22] by establishing, inter-alia, a Research Authority of Zimbabwe, a Research Fund and the institutionalisation of a national research and development funding target of not less than 1 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. The research fund will be utilised to promote innovation, technological adaptation and adoption as well as the development of appropriate human resources to enhance research capabilities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL, 2026
Cabinet noted and approved the Environmental Management Amendment Bill, 2026 which was presented by Ziyambi as chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The Bill seeks to amend the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20: 27] by incorporating emerging environmental principles and giving effect to environmental rights that are enshrined in the Constitution. The Bill also seeks to empower and strengthen the Environmental Management Agency in order to protect and preserve the environment for the present and future generations.
PROPOSED HOSTING OF THE EXPERTS GROUP MEETING FOR AFRICAN REGISTRAR GENERALS AND BOARD OF THE AFRICA CIVIL REGISTRATION AND VITAL STATISTICS SHARED ASSET BY ZIMBABWE
Cabinet noted and approved the hosting of the experts group meeting for African Registrar Generals and Board of the Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Shared Asset by Zimbabwe, scheduled for June 15-20 2026, as presented by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
The hosting follows a request which was made by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) as the secretariat of the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (APAI-CRVS).
The Civil Registry Department is mandated to register births, deaths, national identity, citizenship, marriages, livestock brands and issue travel documents among its main functions.
It also maintains accurate and reliable civil registration records in Zimbabwe, a function critical for the production of vital statistics.
The conference of African Registrar Generals is convened annually, with hosting responsibilities rotating among the five regions of the African continent to ensure regional balance and inclusivity. Zimbabwe, which is a member of the 11-member board, will host this year’s event in June 2026.
The historic meeting will bring together registrar generals from 54 African countries, technical experts and development partners from across Africa to deliberate on key issues affecting CRVS systems, share experiences and develop strategies for strengthening civil registration on the continent. Zimbabwe’s civil registration system is widely recognised for its strength, innovation and ongoing modernisation, with several African countries drawing lessons from our model under the Second Republic.
THE NATIONAL 2026 CULTURE MONTH CELEBRATIONS
Cabinet noted and approved the planned National Culture Month activities for May 2026 which was presented by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Professor Paul Mavima as the Acting Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The 2026 edition of the National Culture Month Celebrations will be held on May 21, 2026 at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo under the theme, “Cultural Diversity and Creativity: Advancing Vision 2030”.
The commemorations will celebrate, preserve and showcase the country’s diverse heritage while fostering social cohesion, unity and economic development through arts and culture.
The national celebrations will feature live performances of selected traditional and contemporary dance, musical groups and comedians, while the month-long activities to be held across all provinces and districts of the country will encompass dance, music, film, theatre, literary arts, poetry, traditional cuisines, the First Lady’s Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba dialogue sessions as well as pageantry and fashion.
REPORTS ON PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE FIRST 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2026
Cabinet received reports on progress in the implementation of priority projects under the First 100-Day Cycle of 2026, as presented by the Ministers of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Environment, Climate and Wildlife; and Industry and Commerce.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa reported progress on nine projects, as follows:
Construction of the Mtapa SMEs Workspace in Gweru, Midlands Province which has reached 88 percent of completion;
Construction of Masvingo Provincial One Stop Centre at Nemanwa Growth Centre which has reached 80 percent of completion;
Construction of the Bulawayo Textile Manufacturing Centre which is 88 percent of complete;
Construction of the Gazaland Workspace in Harare Metropolitan Province which is 95 percent complete;
Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank Guruve Dairy Cooperative, in Guruve, Mashonaland Central Province is at 60 percent;
The funding of 30 micro, small and medium enterprises Phase 1 which has utilised US$ 674 000 out of the budget of US$1 million, with 56 members already benefiting from the scheme;
480 entrepreneurship members in Buhera District, Manicaland Province benefited from the US$130 000 funding of start-up kits for returnee migrants
Construction of the Buffalo Range MSMEs workspace in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province has since been completed, with outstanding electrification and water piping works almost complete; and
Construction of the Gokwe North Rural District Council SMEs Workspace has been completed, providing decent workspace for 40 SMEs.
Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Minister Tino Machakaire reported progress on priority projects as follows:
Construction of the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Youth Service in Zimbabwe and Vocational Training Centre in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province has reached 80 percent in terms of completion;
Construction of the Joshua MqabukoNyongolo Nkomo Youth Service in Zimbabwe and Vocational Training Centre in Kezi, Maphisa Matabeleland South Province is 85 percent complete;
Construction of a grocery shop and LP gas container for youths at Mupudzi Shopping Centre in Mutare District, Manicaland Province has reached 60 percent completion; and
Establishment of the digital innovation hub at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Nembudziya, Gokwe North District, Midlands Province is 85 percent complete.
Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu reported progress as follows:
Construction of the Sebakwe Research Ponds in Kwekwe, Midlands Province meant to conserve indigenous fish species which is 70 percent complete;
Construction of the Zamazama Community Nursery in Shurugwi District, Midlands Province which has reached 60 percent of completion;
Construction of the Forestry Commission Murambinda nursery in Buhera District, Manicaland Province which is 60 percent complete;
Eradication of the Poisonous Plant known locally as Umkawuzane which is 60 percent complete in Matabeleland North Province;
Gwenyaya gully reclamation project in Chivi District, Masvingo Province which is 40 percent of complete;
Installation of solar back-up systems at all the country’s radar sites which is 30 percent complete; and
Construction of ZimParks staff houses and ablution facilities at various stages of completion in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province and Nyanga in Manicaland Province.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu reported progress as follows:
Installation of the pine resin processing plant at Komo (Pvt) Ltd in Mutare, Manicaland Province is almost complete;
Establishment of the Spar Central Butchery in Harare is 20 percent of complete, while the Spar Central Bakery is 75 percent complete;
Installation of a clinker plant at Shuntai Investments in Chegutu, Mashonaland West Province is 70 percent complete; and
Concept designs for Fair Grounds Shopping Mall in Bulawayo have been completed.
All projects are therefore progressing well and on course to meet their 100-day cycle targets.
