17th MARCH, 2026
Today, the 17th March 2026, His Excellency the President, Dr. E.D.
Mnangagwa chaired the Sixth Cabinet Meeting and the following
issues, among others, were considered and approved:
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1.0 REVIEW OF LICENCES, PERMITS, LEVIES AND FEES
IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR: FOCUSING ON
CROPS, HORTICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FERTILISER
SUB-SECTORS
Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits,
levies and fees in the agricultural sub-sectors comprising crops,
horticulture, fisheries and fertilizer, in line with the Cabinet
decision of 29 July 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 fertilizer as per the following highlights:
i. Reduction of the Agricultural Marketing Authority Contractor
registration fees for crops, from US$1000 to US$250;
ii. Reduction of the Agricultural Marketing Authority Trader
Registration fees from US$1000 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% 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 fertilizer sub-sectors and relate to the
standardization of Local Authorities Development Levy and 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 fertilizer subsectors and approved the following supportive
structural policy reforms aimed at enhancing viability within the
subsectors:
i. that deterrent and punitive fines for thefts 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
incentivize 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
products 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
Participation at the forth-coming 61st International Art Exhibition
of La Biennale di Venezia or 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 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 Pavillion 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, namely: Ms. Eva Raath;
Mr. Gideon Gomo; Mr. Felix Shumba; Mr. Franklyn Dzingai; and Mr.
Pardon Mapondera, who will exhibit under theme,
“Second Nature/ Manyonga”.
4.0 REPORT ON HONOURABLE VICE PRESIDENT GEN.
(Rtd.) DR. C.G.D.N. CHIWENGA’S VISIT TO GOA, INDIA: 17TH TO 19TH DECEMBER, 2025
Honourable Vice President Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga
visited Goa in India on 19th December, 2025 to attend the
celebration of the Feast of Santa Barbra at the Chapel of Santa
Barbra. 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 the
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 civilization 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.
K.C.D. MOHADI: 6TH to 7TH MARCH, 2026, REPUBLIC
OF ZAMBIA
Cabinet received a Report on Honourable Vice President Col.
(Rtd.) Dr. K.C.D. Mohadi’s attendance at the Kakaro and
Kavalamanja Commemorations in Zambia from 6 to 7 March,
2026.
The Vice President’s attendance at the Kakaro and Kavalamanja
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’s for the support rendered to Zimbabwe during the
Struggle for Independence. He also gifted the community with
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.
