Online Reporter
We publish here the sixth post-Cabinet media briefing presented by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, in Harare yesterday.
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Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the agricultural sub-sectors comprising crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser, in line with the Cabinet decision of July 29, 2025, which approved the implementation of a raft of business reforms in twelve sectors of the economy.
The review process is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness, enhancing the viability of enterprises and enabling the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.
Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees, and lowered unjustifiably high levies and fees for the agricultural sub-sectors comprising crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser as per the following highlights:
i. Reduction of the Agricultural Marketing Authority Contractor Registration fees for crops from US$1 000 to US$250;
ii. Reduction of the Agricultural Marketing Authority Trader Registration fees from US$1 000 to US$100;
iii. Reduction of the effluent discharge cost from US$27 000 to US$13 500;
iv. Reduction of the Pesticide Registration fee from US$300 to US$150;
v. Removal of the 15,5 percent Value Added Tax on fish and fish products sales;
vi. Reduction of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Lake Lease Fees from US$30 000 to US$15 000; and
vii. Removal of Fish Harvest fees pegged at US$7,50 per tonne.
Cabinet also reviewed cross-cutting licences, permits, levies and fees that have a significant impact beyond the crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser sub-sectors and relate to the standardisation of Local Authorities Development Levy, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Water Levy, and Joint Venture Lease fees.
The reviewed licences, permits and fees will be subjected to further refinements, and a comprehensive schedule will be duly gazetted.
Cabinet noted other issues affecting crops, horticulture, fisheries and fertiliser sub-sectors and approved the following supportive structural policy reforms aimed at enhancing viability within the sub-sectors:
i. That deterrent and punitive fines for theft in the agriculture sector be expanded beyond livestock to cover all aspects of agricultural produce and equipment, including fisheries;
ii. That the requirement for import licences for importation of agricultural equipment spare parts for the farmer’s own use be waived; and
iii. That regulations for dam construction be reviewed to incentivise individuals and the private sector to invest in private dam construction.
2.0 STRENGTHENING THE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK OF THE ENERGY SECTOR
Cabinet considered and approved the new Governance Framework of the Energy Sector as presented by the Minister of Energy and Power Development.
Cabinet adopted principles for statutory instruments and regulations designed to enhance regulatory oversight, improve consumer protection, expand access to electricity, and support the transition towards renewable energy and sustainable base load capacity.
The instruments will cover critical areas including solar product standards, appliance performance and labelling, energy source designation, energy management, backbone infrastructure provision, export controls and electricity licensing for own-consumption undertakings.
The instruments will further strengthen and complement both the existing legal frameworks and the Zimbabwe National Energy Compact that was launched in 2025 to ensure energy security, efficiency and resilience in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.
The specific principles of the statutory instruments and regulations are as follows:
i. Energy Regulatory (Designation of Energy Source) Notice, 2026;
ii. Energy (Solar Products and Installation) Regulations, 2026;
iii. Electricity (Minimum Energy Performance Standard for Appliances and Labelling) Regulations, 2026;
iv. Electricity (Energy Management) Regulations, 2026;
v. Electricity (Provision of Backbone Infrastructure) Regulations, 2026;
vi. Electricity (Export Control) Regulations, 2026;
vii. Electricity (Own Consumption Undertakings Licensing Capacity) Regulations, 2026; and
viii. Electricity (Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safety) Regulations, 2026.
3.0 ZIMBABWE’S PARTICIPATION AT BIENNALE DI VENEZIA 2026, ITALY: MAY TO NOVEMBER 2026
Cabinet received and approved an update on Zimbabwe’s participation at the forthcoming 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (the Venice Biennale) in Italy, from May to November 2026, as presented by the Acting Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Hon Machakaire.
The Venice Biennale is the world’s most prestigious platform for visual arts exhibition, which will enable Zimbabwean artists, curators and thinkers to articulate their own perspectives, histories and futures.
Zimbabwe’s presence will enhance its visibility among influential international stakeholders, fostering relationships that extend beyond the arts into tourism, education and broader economic partnerships.
Zimbabwe is participating for the 8th consecutive year, having made its debut at the 54th edition of the international art showcase in 2011.
Zimbabwe will be represented by the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, which will be running an exhibition at the Pavilion at the 61st edition of the exhibition.
The Commissioner of the Pavilion will be the Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, while the Curator will be the Deputy Director. The Pavilion will showcase five visual artists: Ms Eva Raath; Mr Gideon Gomo; Mr Felix Shumba; Mr Franklyn Dzingai; and Mr Pardon Mapondera, who will exhibit under the theme “Second Nature / Manyonga”.
4.0 REPORT ON HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT GEN. (Rtd.) DR CHIWENGA’S VISIT TO GOA, INDIA: DECEMBER 17TH TO 19TH, 2025
Honourable Vice President Gen (Rtd) Dr Chiwenga visited Goa in India on December 19, 2025, to attend the celebration of the Feast of Santa Barbara at the Chapel of Santa Barbara.
The visit was aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Zimbabwe and Goa, and exploring the historical legacy of Zimbabwean Munhumutapa Princes, namely: Father Miguel, son of Emperor Kapararidze; Dom Diogo, son of the Mutapa King Gatsi; Dom Constantino and his brother Dom Joao, sons of Emperor Mpande.
These Munhumutapa Princes were educated in India and later became priests who served in Goa, India; Macau, China; and Bahia, Brazil.
The visit thus presented an opportunity to deepen research and document Zimbabwe’s contribution to early civilisation and Christianity.
The visit enabled a Zimbabwean research team to establish initial contact with Indian academics and historians who provided detailed insights into the Goa archives, which contain rich historical collections of Portuguese activities in Goa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
5.0 REPORT ON THE ATTENDANCE AT THE KAKARO AND KAVALAMANJA COMMEMORATIONS BY HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT COL. (Rtd.) DR MOHADI: MARCH 6TH TO 7TH, 2026, REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
Cabinet received a report on Honourable Vice President Col (Retd) Dr Mohadi’s attendance at the Kakaro and Kavalamanja Commemorations in Zambia from March 6 to 7, 2026.
The Vice President’s attendance at the commemorations was related to his previous tour of Zimbabwe’s Liberation War Heritage sites in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in August 2025.
The Vice President led the 48th Kavalamanja Commemorations, which began with a candle-lighting ceremony at the Kakaro Shrine in honour of Zimbabwean guerrilla fighters, Zambian army personnel and civilians who died in the 1978 Rhodesian attack.
The Vice President expressed gratitude to the Republic of Zambia for the support rendered to Zimbabwe during the Struggle for Independence.
He also gifted the community two boreholes, a classroom block and a shrine. Additionally, rehabilitation works are ongoing at the Kakaro site as well as four other key shrines in Zambia to preserve the sites.
