By Aldridge Dzvene
Harare – Zimbabwean businesses are set to breathe a sigh of relief as the government implements sweeping reforms under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2), cutting fees across key sectors by up to 50% and abolishing several long-standing levies. Import licences for most items have been halved from US$100 to US$50, contractor registration fees are now a flat US$20 nationwide, and timber transportation permits have been scrapped entirely, signalling a decisive push to lower operational costs and stimulate economic growth.
In the manufacturing and industrial arena, these interventions target production costs to enhance the competitiveness of locally made goods both domestically and for export. Factory setup approvals through NSSA and local authority factory licences have been reduced by half, industrial boiler registration fees are capped at US$500, and rural district councils no longer require timber transportation permits. Analysts note that these measures will likely ease compliance burdens, lower production costs, and encourage reinvestment into the sector.
Real estate and construction sectors are also benefiting from reforms aimed at removing bureaucratic drag that has historically slowed housing and infrastructure projects. Building plan approval fees are now standardized and capped nationwide, arbitrary overcharging has been curtailed, and certain building permits and council-imposed Environmental Impact Assessment requirements have been abolished. Certificate of occupation fees have been slashed by 50%, while contractor registration fees are now set at a flat US$20, easing the financial burden on developers and property owners alike.
Financial services, a sector central to advancing economic inclusion, has been targeted to bring more small businesses into the formal banking system. Zero-cost bank accounts for MSMEs have been introduced, cash withdrawal and mobile money transaction fees reduced, and Securities and Exchange Commission fees halved. Reserve Bank supervision fees have been capped, while import duties on ATM equipment have been reviewed and lowered, promoting expanded access to financial services and infrastructure.
The health sector has also received targeted reforms aimed at lowering overhead costs for providers. Licensing fees for pharmaceutical wholesalers and Medicines Control Authority pharmacy licences have been abolished, hospitals and laboratories now benefit from 20% to 30% reductions in general licensing fees, and practicing fees for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have been cut, improving affordability and operational efficiency in healthcare delivery.
While these reforms are a major relief, analysts caution that recurring costs, such as the 2% Intermediated Money Transfer Tax and corporate tax rates, still impose significant daily burdens. However, the introduction of the “Single Business License” under Statutory Instrument 41 of 2026 is a transformative step, preventing the multiplication of licences within one business location and reducing compliance overheads.
The NDS2 reforms reflect a determined effort to create an enabling environment for Zimbabwean businesses, particularly SMEs, which drive employment and economic growth. By easing fees and streamlining processes, the government is setting the stage for a more competitive, resilient, and inclusive economy, signalling a decisive shift in the nation’s development trajectory.
