ZIDA to rollout e-regulation portal next month

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) is set to launch a new e-regulation portal by mid-July, in a major digital reform aimed at improving the ease of doing business and enhancing transparency for investors in Zimbabwe.

The online platform is part of ZIDA's wider initiative to modernize the country's regulatory framework, reduce red tape, and attract increased local and foreign investment. The portal will serve as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for business registration and compliance processes, offering detailed, sector-specific guidance - including procedures for industries such as transport fuel, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

According to ZIDA Chief Executive Officer Tafadzwa Chinamo, the new system will play a pivotal role in demystifying regulatory requirements for investors, many of whom face unnecessary delays and complications due to a lack of accessible information.

"The first step is understanding the processes involved," Chinamo said. "Many people are unaware of the requirements for setting up certain types of businesses. This portal will bring clarity and make the entire process more transparent and straightforward."

Through the portal, users will be able to access crucial resources such as application forms, licensing fees, and step-by-step procedural guidelines. The initiative is aimed at eliminating bureaucratic friction that has historically hindered the flow of investment into Zimbabwe.

A significant challenge for investors - particularly those new to the country - has been navigating regulatory bottlenecks caused by incomplete or ambiguous information. The portal seeks to address this by centralizing up-to-date documentation and guidelines, reducing administrative surprises that often emerge at border posts or during compliance inspections.

The portal's second phase, set to roll out later this year, will take the reform even further by enabling users to complete the entire regulatory process online, without the need to physically visit government offices. This move aligns Zimbabwe with international best practices in investment facilitation and is expected to substantially improve the country's business climate rankings.

The upcoming e-regulation platform builds on the success of ZIDA's Do-It-Yourself (DIY) licensing portal, which was launched earlier as part of the agency's digitization drive. The DIY system has already proven transformative - processing over 98% of investment applications digitally and reducing license issuance times to under five days in most cases.

ZIDA's latest move signals a clear commitment to building a responsive, investor-focused environment through digital innovation. The agency says the new portal will make Zimbabwe a more competitive and attractive destination for investment by eliminating inefficiencies, increasing transparency, and fostering trust among both domestic and international investors.