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Zimpapers Reporter
THE Government has gazetted regulations establishing a comprehensive schedule of new fees and levies for the Victoria Falls International Financial Services Centre (VFIFSC).
The move marks a critical step in fully operationalising the resort city as a competitive offshore financial hub, targeting global investors ranging from traditional investment banks to cutting-edge fintech and crypto exchanges.
The VFIFSC is a specialised economic zone in Zimbabwe designed to operate as a competitive offshore financial hub.
According to the new regulations contained in Statutory Instrument 61 of 2026, all entities licensed within the VFIFSC framework pay fees denominated in US dollars.
Under the new schedule, a full banking licence requires a US$50 000 application fee, a US$100 000 granting fee and an annual supervisory fee of US$150 000.
Investment and commercial banks are required to pay application fees of US$30 000 and US$20 000, respectively, with annual supervision costs reaching up to US$75 000.
The Government has also detailed specific costs for the digital asset sector, where crypto exchanges must pay US$5 000 as an application fee and US$40 000 for a licence, alongside an annual supervisory fee of US$50 000.
For fintech and stablecoins, getting Stablecoin approval will cost US$10 000, while a “Sandbox” licence fee for startups stands at $500.
Additionally, a specialised supervision fee of US$5 000 has been introduced for blockchain analytics.
In the capital markets and gaming sectors, new stock exchanges must pay US$70 000 for a licence and an equal amount annually for supervision.
Gambling entities, including e-Casinos and sports betting, face a US$100 000 granting fee and a US$150 000 annual supervisory fee, plus a 5 percent gross gaming revenue levy and a 10 percent withholding tax on winnings.
Regarding company formation, incorporation fees are set at US$100 for private companies and US$250 for public companies, with a standard US$100 fee for annual returns.
A certificate of incumbency is priced at US$150, while a certificate of good standing costs US$100.
To ensure strict compliance, the regulations include a late payment interest rate of 10 percent per month and a US$50 monthly penalty for the late filing of documents.
Market analysts suggest that the inclusion of specific fees for Virtual Addresses and Arbitration indicates that the VFIFSC is positioning itself as a “paper-efficient” jurisdiction.
This framework allows firms to operate with a digital footprint while remaining under the Zimbabwean legal umbrella.
The introduction of these structured costs is expected to provide regulatory clarity necessary to attract high-tier global financial participants to Victoria Falls.
Online Reporter