Zimbabwe govt open to reviewing car radio licence fees

Zimbabwe's Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda says the government is prepared to review vehicle radio licence fees if the public considers them unsustainable.

Speaking during a Question and Answer session in the National Assembly, Soda said the move would be in line with government efforts to reduce the cost of doing business and ease the financial burden on citizens.

Currently, private vehicle owners pay about US$23 per quarter (US$92 annually) for radio licences, while corporate-owned vehicles are charged US$50 per quarter (US$200 annually).

Soda indicated that these fees could be revisited if there is sufficient public concern over affordability.

"Our listening Government will continue to review fees in line with the ease of doing business mantra," he said.

The remarks follow earlier reforms implemented through a statutory instrument in January 2026, which significantly reduced household radio and television licence fees.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), under government directive, cut household TV licence fees from US$100 to US$24, while urban radio licences were reduced from US$10 to US$5.

The reforms came after widespread public complaints about high charges, with authorities aiming to improve compliance and reduce administrative costs.

Soda said the changes were part of a broader directive by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to eliminate excessive regulations and punitive fees imposed by government agencies.

The latest comments suggest that further adjustments could be on the way, particularly for motorists, as government balances revenue collection with public affordability concerns.