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ZBC slashes Radio, TV licence fees
5 hrs ago |
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The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has announced sweeping cuts to radio and television licence fees, a move aimed at reducing regulatory costs, promoting compliance and making broadcasting access more affordable for ordinary citizens and businesses. The revised fees are contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 203A of 2025 and will take effect on 15 January 2026.
The changes mark one of the most extensive licensing adjustments in recent years. According to The Chronicle, private vehicle radio licences will drop from US$92 to US$84 a year, while business vehicle radio licences will be reduced from US$200 to US$90. Households will also benefit from substantial reductions. Rural radio licences, previously priced at US$20, will now cost US$5, and urban home radio licences have been cut to US$10 from the previous US$40. Combined television and radio licences will fall from US$100 to US$24 annually.
Business premises are also covered in the reduction. A sound licence will now cost US$50, and television licences for business premises will be set at US$100. Vehicle-based sound and television licences will be pegged at US$30 per term.
Authorities say the reduced fees are part of a broader government strategy to enhance the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe, stimulate economic activity and remove bureaucratic obstacles that have long hindered trade and corporate growth. The SI notes that the cuts are intended to encourage compliance, especially among individuals and entities that previously struggled with high licensing costs.
The policy shift is consistent with ongoing reforms across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism and transport. It also follows a directive issued by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the first Cabinet meeting of the year, in which he urged ministries and regulatory bodies to review and eliminate restrictive administration processes and excessive fees. He emphasised that taxes and licences must support rather than stifle economic development.
Under the new framework, licence fees may be paid in local currency using the prevailing market exchange rate. Officials believe this flexibility, combined with the reduced cost structure, will relieve financial pressure on consumers and help protect low-income groups, while boosting overall compliance.
The adjustments signal a decisive shift in the country's licensing environment and reflect ongoing efforts to modernise regulatory systems and broaden access to public broadcasting services.
The changes mark one of the most extensive licensing adjustments in recent years. According to The Chronicle, private vehicle radio licences will drop from US$92 to US$84 a year, while business vehicle radio licences will be reduced from US$200 to US$90. Households will also benefit from substantial reductions. Rural radio licences, previously priced at US$20, will now cost US$5, and urban home radio licences have been cut to US$10 from the previous US$40. Combined television and radio licences will fall from US$100 to US$24 annually.
Business premises are also covered in the reduction. A sound licence will now cost US$50, and television licences for business premises will be set at US$100. Vehicle-based sound and television licences will be pegged at US$30 per term.
Authorities say the reduced fees are part of a broader government strategy to enhance the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe, stimulate economic activity and remove bureaucratic obstacles that have long hindered trade and corporate growth. The SI notes that the cuts are intended to encourage compliance, especially among individuals and entities that previously struggled with high licensing costs.
The policy shift is consistent with ongoing reforms across various sectors, including agriculture, tourism and transport. It also follows a directive issued by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the first Cabinet meeting of the year, in which he urged ministries and regulatory bodies to review and eliminate restrictive administration processes and excessive fees. He emphasised that taxes and licences must support rather than stifle economic development.
Under the new framework, licence fees may be paid in local currency using the prevailing market exchange rate. Officials believe this flexibility, combined with the reduced cost structure, will relieve financial pressure on consumers and help protect low-income groups, while boosting overall compliance.
The adjustments signal a decisive shift in the country's licensing environment and reflect ongoing efforts to modernise regulatory systems and broaden access to public broadcasting services.
Source - online
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