Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
A TOTAL of US$13,6 million collected from radio licensing fees in the first half of 2025 has been channelled towards expanding Zimbabwe’s broadcasting infrastructure and improving signal reach across the country, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda has said.
Speaking during a question and answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Dr Soda said revenue is already making tangible improvements to national connectivity, with radio reception now standing at 81 percent across the country.
“The total revenue collected from radio licensing fees during the period, is US$13,6 million, of which 20 percent was in United States Dollar while 80 percent was local currency converted at the interbank rate,” said Dr Soda.
The minister explained that revenue from ZBC radio fees is being deployed to boost public radio access through expanding terrestrial infrastructure via Transmedia and advancing Zim-digital Phase 2 for superior signal reach.
Funds are also supporting BAZ community stations and the Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (Ziftessa) provincial content hubs.
“This adds an income stream to fill past revenue shortfalls caused by low compliance,” said Dr Soda.
The money has enabled the procurement of high-definition cameras, transmitters and editing tools for crisp visuals and audio, while mobile units are improving live coverage of key events such as State functions and disasters.
“The funds enable us to reach the programming, including local content production and 10 new film hubs that have been targeted and which are currently being established. It supports training and quality upgrades, shifting from basic broadcast to captivating shows,” said the minister.
Parliament emphasised prioritising Zimbabwean stories over imported content, while infrastructure growth leverages 97 percent mobile penetration for broader rural access.
Dr Soda said the country at present has 177 radio transmitters undergoing transition from analogue to digital transmission.
An additional 36 television transmitters are also being converted.
“The US$13,6 million that I have just referred to is not enough to complete all 177 radio transmitters,” said Dr Soda.
The Government aims to achieve 85 percent coverage by the end of the year, with a target of 100 percent nationwide coverage by 2030 using funds collected from radio licence fees.
“As we get to the end of 2026, the plan is to get to 85 percent of coverage of the whole country and as we get to 2030, we promise that we will have covered 100 percent of the whole country through funds that are being collected as radio licence fees,” said Dr Soda.
