Zimbabwe Reviews and Slashes Energy Sector Licence Fees, Permits & Levies [Full List]

Zimbabwe Slashes Energy Sector Licence Fees In Bold Business Reform Move

In a dramatic move to stimulate economic growth, the Zimbabwean government has announced a comprehensive review and significant reduction of licences, permits, and levies across the entire energy sector. The decision, announced following a Cabinet meeting on November 18, 2025, is designed to reduce the cost of doing business and could pave the way for lower prices for consumers. The initiative is part of a wider raft of business reforms approved by the Cabinet in July of this year.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, confirmed the sweeping changes. He stated that the review process involved extensive consultations with various government bodies and key players within the energy industry.

Major Cuts For Solar And Fuel Importers

The reductions target several key areas, with some fees being cut by half and others abolished entirely. The most notable change is the complete removal of the fee for a Solar Generation Licence, a move expected to boost investment in renewable energy.

Dr Muswere confirmed, “Among the reviewed levies, licences, fees and permits, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) Licence application fee has been reduced from US$2 500 to US$2 000. The ZERA Solar Generation Licence of US$2 875 has been removed completely.”

The cost for major fuel importers has also been significantly reduced. The hefty licence required to bring petroleum into the country has been slashed, a change that could have a major impact on the fuel supply chain.

“The ZERA Petroleum Import (Procurement) Licence of US$30 000 has been reduced by 50%,” Dr Muswere announced.

Focus On Rural Areas And Cooking Gas

The government’s strategy also includes specific incentives for rural development and the use of cleaner energy. Licences for selling fuel in rural areas and for retailing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) have seen substantial cuts, making it cheaper to operate in these markets.

The minister detailed further reductions, stating, “The fuel retailing licence in rural areas has been reduced from US$200 to US$150. The LPG retail licence will be reduced by 50% from the US$230 that is currently being charged.”

Officials have high hopes for the economic impact of these measures. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, directly linked the fee reductions to potential consumer benefits.

Professor Ncube told the media, “We expect these measures to have an impact on prices. The cost build up of these energy sources has to do partly with these regulatory fees. So if they are being reduced, the expectation is that the final product to consumers will also come down.”

The government acknowledged that its previous model of driving energy sector investment was no longer sustainable. The new fee structure is intended to attract more private investment. The official schedule of the reviewed fees is set to be published in the government gazette once the relevant ministries have completed all necessary legislative changes.

Full List of Energy Sector Fee Changes

ZERA Licence Application Fee: Reduced from US$2,500 (approx. ZAR 46,250) to US$2,000 (approx. ZAR 37,000).
ZERA Solar Generation Licence: The fee of US$2,875 (approx. ZAR 53,188) has been removed completely. It now costs nothing to obtain this licence.
ZERA Petroleum Import (Procurement) Licence: Reduced by 50%. The previous fee of US$30,000 (approx. ZAR 555,000) is now US$15,000 (approx. ZAR 277,500).
Fuel Retailing Licence (Rural Areas): Reduced from US$200 (approx. ZAR 3,700) to US$150 (approx. ZAR 2,775).
LPG Retail Licence: Reduced by 50%. The previous fee of US$230 (approx. ZAR 4,255) is now US$115 (approx. ZAR 2,128).