ZBC raises US$13.6 Million from motor vehicle radio licence fees

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) collected US$13.6 million in radio and motor vehicle licence fees during the first half of 2025, government has said, with officials indicating that the figure could have increased further under a new enforcement model introduced mid-year.

The disclosure was made by Information Minister Zhemu Soda while responding to questions from opposition legislator Discent Bajila in Parliament.

According to Soda, the revenue was collected through a blended currency system, with 20% paid in United States dollars and 80% in local currency converted at the interbank rate.

He said the funds have been used to strengthen ZBC's broadcasting infrastructure, expand coverage, and support local content production initiatives.

"The total revenue collected from radio licencing fees during the period is US$13.6 million," Soda said, adding that the money has helped address historical funding gaps caused by low compliance levels.

He said part of the funds has gone toward upgrading transmission systems, acquiring production equipment such as HD cameras and editing tools, and improving live coverage capabilities for national events and emergencies.

Soda also highlighted ongoing projects including the upgrading of facilities such as Montrose Studios, which has reportedly transitioned from analogue to digital broadcasting systems.

He added that infrastructure expansion has also reached areas such as Maphisa, where a transmitter with an 80-kilometre coverage radius was installed ahead of Independence commemorations.

The revenue collection system has since been strengthened following the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act of 2025, which mandates the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) to collect ZBC licence fees alongside vehicle licensing and insurance payments.

Officials argue the arrangement has improved compliance and created a more stable funding stream for the state broadcaster, enabling investments in transmitters, mobile production units, and local programming initiatives.

Government says the broader objective is to increase local content production and reduce reliance on imported programming, while enhancing signal reach across the country.

Critics, however, have in other forums raised questions about compulsory broadcasting fees linked to vehicle licensing, arguing that such mechanisms reduce consumer choice, though those concerns were not addressed in Parliament during the latest exchange.