Zimbabwe’s government has announced a fresh round of business licence fee reductions across 13 sectors, a move aimed at streamlining the regulatory environment and boosting investment. The decision was confirmed by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
Presenting the Mop-Up Review of Licences, Permits, Levies and Fees, Minister Ncube said the exercise targeted sectors that were not covered in the initial phase of reforms. The review focused on agriculture, education, transport, sport and the natural stone export subsector.
Among the approved measures are significant cuts to industrial hemp-related fees: the Agricultural Marketing Authority’s hemp registration fee has been reduced, as have the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe’s hemp application processing fee, cannabis licence and agricultural medicinal cannabis research permit.
In the sports sector, the Sport and Recreation Commission’s 6% gate takings levy has been cut by 50%. The Zimbabwe Football Association’s 6% charge on gross match-day income has also been halved, while the Premier Soccer League levy on net match-day revenue drops from 10% to 4%. Local authorities will see their venue hire levy reduced from 15% to 10% of total gross attendance, and outdoor advertising fees will be capped at US$2.50 per square metre. Cemetery entry fees have been abolished entirely.
Some fees remain unchanged, including school affiliation fees, ZIMSEC fees, examination fees and vehicle change of ownership charges. However, a one-stop shop facility will be created to simplify the vehicle change of ownership process.
Minister Ncube said Cabinet had also approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences, the removal of unnecessary levies and fees, and the lowering of unjustifiably high residual charges. A detailed schedule of all affected licences and fees is expected to be released soon.
These reforms build on a programme launched last year to overhaul the country’s regulatory framework, reduce business costs, consolidate fragmented permits and cap fees for small and medium enterprises.