Zimbabwe youths demand higher taxes for foreign firms

Young people in Zimbabwe are calling for increased taxes on foreign-owned mining companies and other businesses, with proceeds directed towards health, environmental, and youth empowerment initiatives, according to a report from the recent Youth Inclusive Budget Conference (YIBC).

The conference, held at the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden, brought together 510 delegates from across all ten provinces, alongside government officials and development partners. Under the theme "Empowering the Young Drivers of Economic Growth and Transformation for Sustainable Development to Deliver Vision 2030," the two-day event aimed to ensure that youth priorities are reflected in the 2026 national budget.

Delegates presented sectoral recommendations informed by their lived experiences, calling for more responsive resource allocation, stronger accountability, and inclusive development planning. A key resolution from the conference was a push to increase taxes for foreign-owned mining companies and businesses generating externalities, with the funds earmarked for health, environmental, and youth development projects.

The report also proposed that 5 percent of all devolution funds be reserved specifically for youth initiatives, including the establishment of drug rehabilitation centres and a performance-based grant system.

The conference was supported by the Zimbabwe Institute and the Zimbabwe Youth Council, with funding from the embassies of Switzerland and Ireland, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Palme Centre, and UNFPA.

Stanley Sakupwanya, leader of the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, noting that the second edition of the YIBC plays a crucial role in shaping national budget discussions and advancing youth-focused development priorities.