Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — Government’s review of licensing fees, procedures and regulatory requirements is lowering the cost of investment for local and foreign businesses, with domestic investors emerging as major beneficiaries, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the just ended National Competitiveness Commission(NCC) 2026 Competitiveness Summit in Bulawayo, ZIDA representative Felistas Chakandiwa said the reforms were making it easier for investors to establish, operate and expand businesses.
“The reduction of licensing fees and removal of some procedures had eased the financial burden previously faced by investors, particularly local businesses,” Chikandiwa explained.
From an investment promotion standpoint, she highlighted that the reforms are expected to attract and support investment by lowering operating costs for both local and foreign investors.
“Mostly, if you see the reforms, they actually touch more on the domestic investor. We really believe that the domestic investor is benefiting a lot and is able to undertake business at a lower cost than before,” she said.
Chikandiwa stressed that lower fees alone were not enough, arguing that investors also needed simple, affordable access to regulatory information.
To address this, she explained that ZIDA launched the iRegulations Zimbabwe digital information portal in August 2025.
The platform has mapped about 60 processes and procedures across 19 ministries, departments and agencies, allowing investors to access requirements online.
The agency has also fully digitised its investor licensing process and is pursuing the development of a single digital registration portal through which investors could apply for permits, make payments and secure approvals from several Government agencies, she added.
Chikandiwa said ZIDA was engaging development partners for funding to support the proposed integrated portal.
“Further reforms have been introduced through the One-Stop Investment Services Centre, including a digital facilitation portal launched in August.
“Under the system, licensed investors are informed of the permits and approvals required in their chosen sectors and can request ZIDA’s support in securing them from relevant agencies.
“Officials seconded from various ministries, departments and agencies then guide investors through the approval process, while the automated system tracks progress and identifies bottlenecks,” she explained.
Chikandiwa maintained that the measures would strengthen coordination among regulators and reduce delays across the investment ecosystem
“These measures will strengthen coordination among regulatory authorities and help reduce the delays and bottlenecks that investors encounter across the investment ecosystem,” she said.
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