Tiyani Hahlani

In a bid to boost investment and productivity, the Zimbabwean government has rolled out sweeping regulatory reforms across the livestock, dairy, and stockfeed sectors, cutting business fees and dismantling bureaucratic hurdles.

The measures, announced by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on September 10, form part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra aimed at improving the investment climate, stimulating production, and attracting foreign direct investment.

Officials say the package is among the most comprehensive cross-sector reforms introduced simultaneously by any African nation.

It was crafted through a multi-stakeholder process led by the Office of the President and Cabinet, with input from the Finance Ministry and technical support from the World Bank.

Agriculture, the backbone of the economy and main source of income for 65 percent of rural households, was chosen as the starting point.

For years, the sector has been hampered by excessive regulations and high compliance costs, with farmers forced to secure dozens of permits from multiple agencies.

Under the new framework, these costs and duplications have been drastically reduced:

Dairy processors: registration slashed from $350 annually to a one-time $50.

Livestock movement: clearance fees lowered to $5 per herd, down from $10 per beast.

Dairy exports: registration cut from $900 to just $10.

Environmental fees: EMA effluent disposal reduced from $800 to $100 annually; EIA licence cut from 1.5 percent of project value to 0.05 percent.

Water charges: ZINWA borehole and water abstraction fees scrapped.

Smallholder support: farm registration fees reduced to a flat $1; certificates abolished for small and medium-scale farmers.

Other reductions include lower health certificate and abattoir establishment fees, while the requirement for food handler health certificates has been scrapped.

Ncube said the reforms are designed to reduce the cost of doing business, stimulate exports, and encourage small and medium enterprises to expand.

“These measures will create jobs, drive rural development, and enhance competitiveness,” he said.

Future phases of the programme will target tourism, transport, and retail, with all reforms subjected to Regulatory Impact Assessments to ensure alignment with Zimbabwe’s economic growth goals.

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to building a modern, efficient, and business-friendly regulatory system to advance its vision of achieving upper middle-income status by 2030.