The Government of Zimbabwe has merged eleven separate licenses into a single local authority permit and cut fees across several sectors to streamline regulation and boost the wholesale and retail industries. Announced by the Finance Ministry on October 31, 2025, the reforms combine permits for bakeries, butcheries, restaurants and retail and wholesale operations under one document while removing duplicate approvals. Fees for small and medium enterprise licenses are now capped at US$500, change of property use charges have dropped to US$1,000 from US$3,500 and annual waste management fees fall from US$575 to US$200.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the measures will ease the burden on entrepreneurs and attract investors. Hotel and lodge licenses now cost US$500, the Reserve Bank’s local authority financial services permit is set at US$20 and bottle store licenses for outlets in larger shops have been scrapped. The full schedule of reduced fees and license consolidations was published on the Treasury website.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the measures will ease the burden on entrepreneurs and attract investors. Hotel and lodge licenses now cost US$500, the Reserve Bank’s local authority financial services permit is set at US$20 and bottle store licenses for outlets in larger shops have been scrapped. The full schedule of reduced fees and license consolidations was published on the Treasury website.
