HARARE, (New Ziana) — Government has approved a wide-ranging package of regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, reducing compliance costs and accelerating economic growth across key sectors of the economy, a top government official has said.
In a statement, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube said the reforms, approved by Cabinet, target the manufacturing, financial, real estate and health sectors, and are expected to enhance operational efficiency, attract domestic and foreign investment, and support the expansion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are central to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 economic transformation agenda.
“Government, through Cabinet, has approved a comprehensive package of regulatory reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, reducing compliance costs and stimulating broad-based economic growth across key sectors of the economy.
These reforms-spanning the manufacturing, financial, real estate and health sectors-form part of ongoing efforts to modernise the regulatory environment, enhance operational efficiency, attract both domestic and foreign investment, and support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which remain central to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation agenda under Vision 2030,” he said.
Among the key interventions is the reduction of the Ministry of Industry import licence fee from US$100 to US$50 for most items with National Social Security Authority (NSSA) boiler registration fees now being capped at US$500, while NSSA factory approval plan fees and local authority factory licence approval fees have each been reduced by 50 percent.
He said government has also abolished Rural District Council timber transportation permits.
“These interventions are expected to significantly lower production and compliance costs, thereby improving the competitiveness of locally produced goods in both domestic and export markets.
The reforms will also promote re-industrialisation, enhance capacity utilisation and support the formalisation and growth of MSMEs within manufacturing value chains, ultimately contributing to increased industrial output, job creation and sustained economic growth,” Ncube said.
The Treasury boss said in the financial sector, Government approved reforms aimed at deepening financial inclusion and improving access to affordable banking services with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) banking supervision fee having been reduced to 0.007 percent of assets, capped at US$40 000.
Zero-cost bank accounts for MSMEs will also be introduced, while cash withdrawal fees for both United States dollar and ZiG transactions are set to be reduced.
He said the reforms would lower transaction costs, increase access to banking services — particularly for MSMEs and underserved communities — and promote digital financial inclusion and confidence in the financial system.
The property development and construction sector is also set to benefit from measures aimed at streamlining approval processes and reducing bureaucratic delays.
Government approved the standardisation and capping of local authority building plan approval fees, while building permit requirements and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements by local authorities have been abolished.
Certificate of occupation fees will be reduced by 50 percent, while contractor registration fees by local authorities will now be standardised at US$20 across all categories.
Ncube said the reforms would shorten project approval timelines, improve project viability and stimulate investment in infrastructure and housing development.
In the health sector, Government introduced several measures aimed at lowering operational costs for healthcare providers and improving access to quality healthcare services.
The reforms include the abolition of Health Professions Authority licences for pharmaceutical and manufacturing wholesalers, as well as the removal of Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) pharmacy licence fees.
Licensing fees for medical service providers such as hospitals and laboratories will be reduced by between 20 and 30 percent, while MCAZ pharmaceutical manufacturing licence fees will be cut by 25 percent.
Medicine registration fees are also set to decline, alongside reductions in practising certificate fees for medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals.
Private hospital approval letter fees will now be capped at US$100.
Ncube said the interventions would lower the cost of establishing and operating healthcare facilities, encourage investment in the sector and improve the availability and affordability of essential medicines and healthcare services.
In announcing the reforms, Ncube reaffirmed government commitment to fostering a transparent, competitive and conducive business environment capable of unlocking productivity, stimulating investment and driving sustainable economic growth.
He said regulatory frameworks would continue to be reviewed and refined to ensure they remain responsive to evolving industry and public needs, while supporting innovation and Zimbabwe’s aspiration to attain upper middle-income economy status by 2030.
New Ziana
