Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) is pushing for a comprehensive overhaul of Zimbabwe’s regulatory environment, with regulatory impact assessments, digitalisation and evidence-based policymaking set to become key tools in reducing the cost of doing business and improving the country’s competitiveness.
The reforms form part of the Commission’s 2026 work programme and the broader National Competitiveness Strategy for 2026–2030, which seeks to strengthen Zimbabwe’s Ease of Doing Business and competitiveness agenda.
NCC board chairperson Mrs Patiance Chimuka said regulatory quality was central to creating an efficient business environment, warning against duplication and overlapping requirements across institutions.
“As a Board, we firmly believe that regulatory quality and excellence is a cornerstone of national competitiveness. This calls for regulatory coherence and coordination across institutions to reduce duplication, overlaps and compliance costs.
“Evidence-based policymaking, informed by data, research, and stakeholder engagement, digital transformation of regulatory processes to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility and sustainability lens, ensuring that economic growth today does not compromise the prosperity of future generations,” said Mrs Chimuka during the ongoing National Competitiveness Summit in Bulawayo.
The push comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its productive sectors, attract investment and deepen private-sector participation in line with the country’s Vision 2030 aspirations.
At the centre of the NCC’s 2026 programme is the launch and implementation of the National Competitiveness Strategy (2026–2030), which is expected to provide a framework for coordinating interventions aimed at improving the business environment.
“In 2026, some of the critical outputs for the Commission, which require support and collaboration from stakeholders include launch and implementation of the recommendations of the 2025.
“Launch and implementation of the National Competitiveness Strategy (2026–2030), which guide the National Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Agenda,” she said.
A key component will be the Regulatory Impact Assessment programme, which will examine how existing and proposed regulations affect businesses before recommending changes where necessary.
“Regulatory Impact Assessment — which entails review of existing and new business regulations to ascertain their impact on the cost of doing business and recommend amendments or repeals where appropriate to enhance competitiveness,” said Mrs Chimuka.
The approach could provide a structured mechanism for assessing whether regulations are achieving their intended objectives while ensuring that compliance requirements do not unnecessarily increase costs for businesses.
The NCC is also moving to address what it sees as a critical gap in measuring Zimbabwe’s competitiveness through its National Competitiveness Baseline Survey.
The survey is expected to produce a localised competitiveness indicators database, giving policymakers and the private sector a domestic evidence base for measuring progress.
“National Competitiveness Baseline Survey, whose findings are aimed at developing a localised competitiveness indicators database, moving away from relying solely on global statistics that often fail to capture our unique economic realities and potential.
“The survey fills a critical data gap, providing us with accurate, home-grown evidence to track our progress towards the Vision 2030 goals.”
Beyond domestic measurements, the Commission will continue participating in international competitiveness surveys to benchmark Zimbabwe against other economies.
Mrs Chimuka said the programme would include the Executive Opinion Survey, which will contribute to the production of the Future of Growth Report.
“International Competitiveness Surveys, including the Executive Opinion Survey that will culminate in the production of the Future of Growth Report, among other reports. This allows benchmarking of Zimbabwe globally, in terms of competitiveness issues.”
The NCC’s programme places data at the centre of competitiveness policy, combining local evidence with international benchmarking to identify areas requiring intervention.
The Commission’s emphasis on digital transformation also signals a shift towards more efficient regulatory processes, potentially reducing administrative delays while improving transparency and accessibility.
The 2026–2030 strategy, regulatory impact assessments and competitiveness surveys will therefore provide key building blocks for the NCC as it seeks to move competitiveness reforms from policy commitments into measurable improvements in Zimbabwe’s business operating environment.
