Zimbabwe cabinet has approved major cuts to energy licences and fees to reduce the cost of doing business and boost investment in the sector.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s post Cabinet briefing, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said the reforms follow the Cabinet decision of 29 July 2025 and are part of wider economic competitiveness measures.
“Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the Energy sector, in line with the Cabinet decision of 29 July 2025 which approved the implementation of a raft of business reforms in twelve sectors of the economy. The review process is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness and enhancing the growth of the Zimbabwean economy,” he said.
The minister said the review involved “extensive Whole-of-Government and Societal Approach consultations” with ministries, departments, agencies and energy sector players.
The ZERA licence application fee has been cut from US$2 500 to US$2 000. The ZERA Solar Generation Licence of US$2 875 has been removed completely. The ZERA Petroleum Import Procurement Licence has been reduced by half from the previous US$30 000. The rural fuel retail licence has been lowered from US$200 to US$150. The LPG retail licence will also drop by 50 percent from the current US$230.
Muswere said Government wants private capital to take a larger role in energy infrastructure. “Investment in the Energy sector has largely been driven by Government and this model has become unsustainable given the limited fiscal space and lack of access to external sources,” he said.
He added that the schedule of revised fees will be gazetted once ministries complete the required legislative and administrative changes.
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