Harare, Zimbabwe – The government has widened its business licence fee reform to include outstanding sectors that were not covered in the initial phase of the Mop-Up Review. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube confirmed that Cabinet approved a fresh set of reductions across agriculture, education, transport, sport and the natural stone export subsector.
The latest measures build on reforms approved in July 2025, which targeted 13 priority sectors. Since then, the government has been working to cut licensing costs, consolidate overlapping permits, eliminate duplicate charges and cap fees for small and medium enterprises.
Key Changes in the New Approval
Among the most notable changes are:
- Halving the Sport and Recreation Commission gate takings levy from 6 percent to 3 percent.
- Reducing the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) levy on match day revenue by 50 percent.
- Cutting the Premier Soccer League levy from 10 percent of net income to 4 percent.
- Lowering local authorities venue hire levy from 15 percent to 10 percent of total gross attendance.
- Capping local authorities outdoor advertising fees at US$2.50 per square metre.
- Abolishing cemetery entry fees.
Other changes include formalising the registration of tri-cycles and licensing of riders, while vehicle change of ownership fees remain unchanged. A One Stop Shop facility will be created to streamline vehicle ownership transfers. School annual affiliation fees, ZIMSEC annual affiliation fees and examination fees stay at current levels. Industrial hemp registration and licensing fees for the Agricultural Marketing Authority and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe will also be reduced.
The detailed schedule of affected licences, permits and fees is expected to be released shortly. These reforms are part of Zimbabwe’s broader push to improve the ease of doing business and encourage formalisation across previously overlooked sectors.
