Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza
Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) has officially launched the E-Regulations Portal, a digital platform designed to provide transparent access to investment-related administrative procedures across various sectors in Zimbabwe.
According to ZIDA, by streamlining access to official information, the platform enhances business predictability, reduces bureaucratic complexity and supports the ease of doing business.
ZIDA chief executive Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo, at the launch, said the e-regulations portal is a digital platform that will document, organise and publish Government regulations, administrative procedures and requirements for public access for investors, businesses and citizens.
“The portal is designed to improve the transparency, accessibility and efficiency of investment-related administrative procedures in Zimbabwe. It represents a significant step towards enhancing the ease of doing business and positioning our country as a competitive investment destination,” he said.
Mr Chinamo added that the e-regulations empower users with the knowledge needed to navigate regulatory frameworks efficiently, fostering greater confidence and encouraging increased investment and economic participation.
“Today signifies far more than the unveiling of a digital platform; it marks a fundamental shift in how we, as a Government and as a nation, approach the emerging environment,” he said.
The portal was officially launched by the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.
According to Mr Chinamo, the data-gathering and onboarding of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will continue beyond the launch event.
“We therefore urge all remaining MDAs to actively and urgently join the consultation effort, which is central to improving our business and investment environment. Moreover, the e-regulation support will not be an end in itself, but it is the foundation.
“The next step of this initiative will focus on streamlining and simplifying the procedures and through methodical review and collaboration, we will identify opportunities to eliminate redundancies and shorten turnaround times,” he said.
To date, 21 MDAs and local authorities have already onboarded onto the platform, enabling 62 procedures to be completed digitally.
Mr Chinamo added that this is ongoing work that will ultimately culminate in the development of the online investment model and integrated digital platforms designed to enable businesses to complete all essential registration and licensing procedures in a seamless, efficient and resilient manner, thereby enhancing service delivery and supporting Government investment.
“This vision is bold, yet entirely achievable and it is backed by the leadership at a high level of Government, under the stewardship of an expert in the business, President Mnangagwa,” he said.
Dr Rushwaya said the initiative is part of the Government’s broader efforts to use technology as a catalyst for economic transformation and improvement.
“This marks another key milestone in our nation’s digital transformation but is a powerful demonstration and reaffirmation of our committed commitment to building a modern, transparent and investor-friendly environment in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Dr Rushwaya noted that the ease of doing business is part of the broader and comprehensive reform and modernisation agenda being implemented by the Government that ensures that public sector institutions, systems, and processes are amenable to the local and international demands and requirements of business.
He noted that the e-regulations portal is a key component that not only meets investor needs but also elevates the integrity of the public sector as a whole.
“As a Government, we fully appreciate that the structure and function of the country’s business climate, particularly the utility, credibility and efficiency of its administrative procedures, are key determinants of its ability to attract and retain meaningful and long-term cash flow. Without doubt, this platform is a strategic tool to achieve this imperative,” he said.
He added that the portal is designed to consolidate and codify investment-related procedures into a single, accessible, and interactive digital ecosystem that does not only align our intellectual practices with international benchmarks but also improve accountability across Government actors.
UN Resident Coordinator Mr Edward Matthew Kallon said the initiative is critical in aligning Zimbabwe’s economic strategies with global investment facilitation standards.
“It is a critical milestone that Zimbabwe is undertaking; it’s a journey to improve efficiency and effectiveness in doing good,” he said.
Mr Kallon said we talk about trade over aid, opportunities over dependency and investment over assistance, and Zimbabwe is indeed on course.
European Union Representative Maria Comet Homo said the EU’s ultimate goal is to assist Zimbabwe to create a thriving environment that attracts investment, stimulates job creation and drives sustainable economic growth.
“The e-regulations portal is a powerful tool that will provide investors with easy access to information on regulations, procedures, and requirements for doing business in Zimbabwe. This will not only improve the ease of doing business but also increase transparency, reducing the complexity and uncertainty that can often deter investment,” she said.
She added that for companies that are looking to invest in Zimbabwe, the EU has many requests, and the portal will be a valuable resource, providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions and navigate the investment process with confidence.
Peter Tanyanyiwa