High Fees No More: ZBC Announces Major Reductions in Radio and TV Licences

ZBC Slashes Radio and TV Licence Fees Effective January 2026

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has announced a significant reduction in its radio and television licence fees. The move is aimed at simplifying licensing procedures, lowering regulatory costs, and encouraging compliance among individuals and businesses.

The changes, contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 203A of 2025, are set to take effect from 15 January 2026.

Major Cuts Across Categories

Under the new regulations, private vehicle radio licences will drop from US$92 to US$84 annually, while business vehicle licences fall sharply from US$200 to US$90 per year.

Rural radio licences are now US$5, down from US$20, and urban home radio licences have been cut from US$40 to US$10. Licences covering both television and radio have been reduced from US$100 to US$24 per year.

The reduction also affects business premises: sound licences now cost US$50, while television licences are US$100, and vehicle-based sound and television licences are reduced to US$30 per term.

Boosting Compliance and Reducing Bureaucracy

The fee cuts form part of a broader government initiative to lower the cost of doing business, stimulate private sector growth, and remove bureaucratic obstacles that have historically hindered economic progress.

“The reduction in licence fees is intended to encourage compliance, particularly among individuals and businesses that previously struggled to afford the existing charges,” the SI notes.

Part of a Wider Regulatory Reform

This measure aligns with previous cuts in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and transport. It follows a directive by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the first Cabinet meeting of the year, urging ministries and government agencies to eliminate excessive regulations and administrative costs.

“The goal is to ensure that taxes, licences, and permits facilitate economic development rather than impede progress,” the President said.

Implementation

The fees stipulated in the new SI can be paid in local currency at the prevailing market rate. Authorities say the reductions will not only ease the financial burden on households but also support vulnerable and low-income groups in society.