Govt Moves to Slash Business Levies in 100-Day Blitz

By Loyd Matare

The government has approved a sweeping review of levies, licences, fees, and permits charged on businesses by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), following concerns over excessive regulatory costs.

This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa earlier this year directed a review of regulatory charges across 12 key sectors including Health, Agriculture, Retail, Tourism, Transport, Energy, Manufacturing, Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Liquor, Construction, and Financial Services.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said:

“Cabinet considered and approved the review of levies, licences, fees and permits on business by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government.”

“The President highlighted the high level of regulatory charges and directed a comprehensive review to address issues of multiplicity, duplication, and fragmentation,” Ncube said.

ALSO READ: “Chigananda” Just Means Businessman, Says Mutsvangwa

He said a diagnostic study revealed that some regulators required businesses to obtain multiple fragmented licences, while others imposed lengthy and bureaucratic procedures before issuing permits.

To address this, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion working with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, and line ministries has been tasked with coordinating a detailed sector-by-sector review.

“The process will adopt a 100-day Accelerator Model, and will bring together regulators and business players for a consensus-based review,” Ncube said.

He added that the outcome of the reviews would be submitted to Cabinet and, once approved, implemented through amendments to legislation and Statutory Instruments.

“The reform will significantly streamline business operations, attract investment, promote growth, and move the country closer to achieving Vision 2030,” he said.