Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo, Harare Bureau
THE Government has approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees within the tourism sector, as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) continue to act on President Mnangagwa’s directive to enhance the ease of doing business across the country’s economic landscape.
This approval follows similar reforms in the agriculture sector and comes in response to the President’s directive that ease-of-doing-business initiatives be implemented across 12 key sectors within six months, starting at the end of July.
The targeted sectors include health, agriculture, retail, tourism, transport, energy, manufacturing, broadcasting, telecommunications, liquor, construction, and financial services.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi stated that the full list of revised fees and requirements would be published in due course.
“We have specific fees, licences and levies that have been reduced — most by around 50 percent. Several fees affecting our industry, including those related to the transport sector and ZBC (radio and TV) licensing, will be announced shortly. So, yes, we have specific reductions, and they will be published soon,” she said.
Responding to questions during yesterday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube confirmed that the reviews would result in substantial reductions of certain fees and requirements, ranging from 25 percent to 50 percent.
“In terms of how far we are willing to go, we’ve implemented reductions — some between 25 and 50 percent — and some fees have been eliminated entirely. We’ve used a very fine-tooth comb, and we’re confident this will significantly reduce the cost of doing business,” he said.
Professor Ncube noted that extensive research conducted prior to the approval revealed that certain fees and requirements were hindering the growth of the tourism industry.
“The National Competitiveness Centre has carried out highly informative research showing that these fees have indeed increased the cost of doing business.
“They have rendered our industry uncompetitive both regionally and globally. Therefore, any meaningful reduction will undoubtedly enhance our competitiveness,” he said.
In his post-Cabinet media address, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said a consultative approach had been adopted, as Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the ease of doing business across all sectors.
Prior to the review, value chains in accommodation, hospitality and catering; tour guiding and operations; boating services; and vehicle rental services were operating under a burdensome regulatory environment.
“Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the tourism sector, in line with the Cabinet decision of 29 July 2025, which endorsed the review of business-related licences, permits, levies and fees by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
“The review was undertaken to eliminate unjustifiable licences and permits, streamline duplicative and overlapping requirements, and reduce unsustainably high fees and levies,” he said.
Dr Muswere added that the revised licences, permits, levies and fees would undergo further refinement.
“The review process aligns with the ongoing ease-of-doing-business reforms, which aim to lower the cost of doing business, enhance competitiveness, and stimulate growth in the Zimbabwean economy,” said the Minister of Information.
