HARARE — Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has moved to reduce Zimbabwe’s cumbersome and expensive licensing fees, following firsthand experience of the challenges faced by business owners. The reforms come after the Minister personally witnessed the difficulties his wife encountered while registering a restaurant in Bulawayo last year.
For years, Zimbabwean entrepreneurs have expressed frustration at having to pay multiple, often overlapping fees for different operations within the same business. In one notable example, a single supermarket had to purchase separate licences for its bakery, butchery, restaurant, and liquor sales, making compliance both costly and time-consuming.
Minister Ncube acknowledged the system’s inefficiency, describing the licensing requirements his wife faced as a “very long list” that delayed the restaurant’s opening and added unnecessary financial burdens.
On Wednesday, the Finance Ministry unveiled reforms aimed at simplifying the licensing process, reducing fees, and cutting bureaucratic red tape. According to Ncube, the new measures are designed not only to ease the financial and administrative burden on local entrepreneurs but also to make Zimbabwe more attractive to foreign and domestic investors.
“We recognised that our licensing system was outdated, repetitive, and unfair to business owners. By streamlining fees and reducing the number of licences required, we are creating an environment where businesses can thrive and investors can feel confident,” Ncube said.
The reforms are expected to benefit small and medium enterprises in particular, as well as larger corporations, by consolidating multiple licences and introducing more transparent procedures. Analysts say this could encourage a wave of new business registrations, stimulate economic activity, and contribute to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goal of industrial growth and job creation.
Business leaders have welcomed the announcement, noting that the high cost and complexity of licensing had long been a deterrent to entrepreneurship and investment. Some are optimistic that these reforms could mark a turning point in improving Zimbabwe’s ease of doing business rankings and boosting overall economic competitiveness.