Johnson Progress

The Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (Zida) has launched an eRegulations portal aimed at enhancing the quality of investment by reducing bureaucratic hurdles in company registration.

The digital platform is designed to document, organize, and pass government regulations, administrative procedures, and requirements in a clear and accessible format.

According to the Office of the President and Cabinet chief secretary, Martin Rushwaya, the launch of the eRegulations portal represents a systematic change in how Zimbabwe interfaces with investors and administers equity and transparency.

“The event we are gathered here to witness is more than the activation of the portal, but a representation of a systematic change on how Zimbabwe interfaces with investors and administers equity and transparency,” Rushwaya said.

Rushwaya emphasized that the portal is a key lever of national competitiveness and institutional integrity, demonstrating the government’s commitment to creating a favorable business environment.

“Today, we are operationalising a key lever of national competitiveness and institutional integrity. The policy pronouncement that Zimbabwe is open for business should be demonstrated through practical application is being showcased here today,” he added.

The eRegulations portal will provide a one-stop system for investors to register their businesses with the authorities and access information about their interests.

According to Rushwaya, this will cut the laborious and time-consuming nature of company registration, making it easier for businesses to operate in Zimbabwe.

“This will provide a clear picture and foundation for streamlining and nationalisation of such processes, especially those that have relentlessly bottlenecked business operations for a long time rather than being promoters of economic growth,” he said.

Zida chief executive officer Tafadzwa Chinamo said the portal is part of a broader effort to review and simplify regulatory frameworks, reducing costs and eliminating redundancies.

“Through methodical review and collaboration, we will identify opportunities to reduce costs, eliminate redundancies and shorten turnaround times,” Chinamo said.

Chinamo added that the eRegulations portal will ultimately culminate in the development of an online investor single window, an integrated digital platform designed to facilitate seamless and efficient registration and licensing procedures.

“Ultimately, eRegulations empowers users with the knowledge needed to navigate regulatory frameworks efficiently, fostering greater confidence and encouraging increased investment and economic participation,” he said.

The launch of the eRegulations portal is a significant step towards improving the business environment in Zimbabwe, and stakeholders are optimistic about its potential to attract more investment and promote economic growth.