Ayesha Nyanzunda
The Government of Zimbabwe has unveiled sweeping reforms to ease the cost of doing business, particularly in agriculture, a sector that supports 65% of livelihoods and contributes the bulk of the country’s exports.
Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, announced the measures in a statement issued on September 10, 2025, describing them as a decisive step towards removing duplication, reducing costs, and simplifying compliance for farmers and businesses.
For years, Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has been weighed down by excessive regulations, high compliance costs, and multiple permits across various institutions. For instance, dairy farmers previously needed up to 25 permits from 12 different agencies, while feed manufacturers required 23 permits from 10 departments. Beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, with abattoirs, dairy processors, and feed processors subjected to 20 or more separate conditions. These burdens placed a heavy financial and administrative load on farmers, especially smallholders.
The reforms slash these costs drastically. Farm registration fees under the Agricultural Marketing Authority have been cut to just $1, while registration certificates for small and medium farmers have been abolished. Dairy processor registration has dropped from $350 annually to a one-time $50 fee, and feed manufacturing registration has been reduced to $20. Livestock movement clearance has also been lowered from $10 per beast to just $5 per herd.
Export and import costs have been similarly reduced. The import permit for livestock genetics, such as heifers and bulls, now costs $20, down from $100. Export registration fees for dairy products have been reduced from $900 to $10, while meat export registration has fallen from $500 to $100 annually. Health, safety, and environmental compliance costs have also been eased, with local health certificates cut from $300 to $100, abattoir establishment fees reduced from $350 to $50, and waste disposal charges for dairy farmers reduced from $800 to $100. Several levies and permits, including those imposed by the Agricultural Marketing Authority, Environmental Management Agency, and ZERA, have been abolished.
According to Minister Ncube, the reforms are designed to lower the cost of doing business, encourage investment and exports, create jobs, and stimulate rural development. He emphasized that the changes will particularly benefit smallholder farmers and SMEs, helping them compete more effectively and integrate into formal markets.
These measures are part of a broader government vision to build a modern, efficient, and business-friendly regulatory system that drives inclusive economic growth. Further phases will extend to tourism, transport, retail, and other strategic sectors, ensuring Zimbabwe’s business environment becomes more affordable and competitive.
The reforms are aligned with the government’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society by the end of the decade