Source: CZR applauds Cabinet for business-friendly levy reforms – herald
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has welcomed and commended the Cabinet of Zimbabwe for its progressive and business-friendly decision to review and streamline various levies within the retail and wholesale sector.
The organisation said this milestone reform is consistent with the Government’s broader commitment to improving the ease and cost of doing business, enhancing national competitiveness, and promoting inclusive economic growth in line with Vision 2030.
“The Cabinet’s decision, made under the framework of the 29 July 2025 business reforms covering twelve key economic sectors, demonstrates strong political will to remove structural bottlenecks that have long burdened formal businesses, especially retailers and wholesalers,” said CZR president, Dr Denford Mutashu.
“For years, the multiplicity of fragmented licences, overlapping permits, and high levies imposed by different regulatory bodies and local authorities has significantly increased operational costs and constrained growth within the formal economy.
“As part of efforts to improve the ease and cost of doing business in the country, Cabinet approved the consolidation of fragmented licensing requirements into a single licence, the streamlining of duplicative and overlapping licences and permits, the removal of unnecessary levies and fees, and the lowering of high levies and fees for the wholesale and selected major retail sub-sectors comprising the wholesale sector; supermarkets and groceries; meat and meat products retail shops and butcheries; and clothing and furniture shops.”
Cabinet approved that the liquor licence application fee be reduced to US$20 across all sectors — for example, a reduction from US$1 080 for the wholesale liquor licence application.
It also approved that the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) permit pegged at US$200 for trade in veterinary products be totally removed, and the local authority bakery licence fee of US$703 be scrapped.
The threshold of fees for all local authorities is being capped for uniformity.
The reviewed licences, permits, and fees will be subjected to further refinements, and the appropriate schedule shall be duly gazetted.
Cabinet also reviewed cross-cutting licences, permits, levies, and fees that have a significant impact beyond the wholesale and retail sectors. These relate to shop/trading/business licences by local authorities; Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) licences; fire compliance licences by local authorities; environmental assessment consultation fees; property change-of-use fees; and bank charges.
“The PRAZ regulatory licence on groceries and provisions, pegged at US$120, has been reduced to only US$20,” said Dr Mutashu.
“The Health Report licence fee, pegged at US$661, has been reduced by 50 percent, the NSSA elevator registration fee is to be reduced from US$200 to US$20, and bank charges and transfer fees will also be reduced to promote banking.”
Dr Mutashu said CZR stands ready to work closely with the Government and relevant authorities as the reviewed schedules are refined and gazetted.
“CZR extends its gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the entire Cabinet for their continued commitment to creating a conducive environment for business growth, consistent with the mantra ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’,” he said.
“We call upon all local authorities and regulatory agencies to swiftly align their licensing frameworks with these Cabinet-approved reforms to ensure immediate relief for operators on the ground.
“CZR reiterates its full support for all Government-driven economic transformation initiatives that prioritise cost reduction, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.”
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