Government has slashed the liquor licence application fee to just US$20 across all sectors, a centrepiece of a sweeping regulatory overhaul aimed at boosting the economy.

The massive fee reduction, announced at a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday represents a major drop from a US$1,080 previously charged for a Wholesale Liquor licence application.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, confirmed the wide-ranging reforms, which are part of a broader Cabinet decision from July 2025 to streamline regulations across twelve key economic sectors.

“Cabinet approved the consolidation of fragmented licensing requirements into a single licence, the streamlining of duplicative and overlapping permits, the removal of unnecessary levies, and the lowering of high fees across major wholesale and retail sub-sectors,” Dr. Muswere stated.

“The liquor licence application fees is to be reduced to twenty dollars across all sectors.” He added.

The reform agenda extends beyond the liquor trade, targeting high administrative costs that the government believes have historically stifled private sector growth.

While the application fee has been reduced to US$20 for all sectors (down from US$1,080 for wholesalers), local authority licence fees will now be capped to ensure uniformity nationwide.
The Local Authority bakery licence fee of US$703 has also been scrapped entirely.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) permit fee of US$200 for trading in veterinary products has been removed entirely.

Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, commented that the previously exorbitant charges imposed by some local authorities had been a deterrent to both local and foreign investment.