The government has introduced a mandatory requirement for vendors to acquire Point of Sale (POS) machines for transactions and to open bank accounts during their registration process.
This initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the government, is designed to integrate informal traders into the formal economy while improving tax compliance.
Currently, the responsibility for registering and licensing vendors falls solely on local authorities. However, under the new system, the process will now include tax compliance checks to ensure all qualifying vendors contribute to national revenue.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, announced that this initiative would be introduced alongside a mandatory tax payment system.
The objective is to ensure that all informal businesses adhere to tax regulations. To facilitate this, the government will establish a Domestic Inter-agency Team to monitor and enforce compliance in the informal sector.
Dr. Muswere also highlighted that Cabinet has approved a set of measures to improve the formal business environment, as proposed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube.
Following the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s release of the Monetary Policy Statement on February 6, 2025, the Cabinet recognized several economic challenges and has since rolled out a combination of short and long-term interventions. These strategies are aimed at stabilizing the economy and providing support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“Broadly, the government intends to incorporate all businesses into the tax system while enhancing the efficiency of the foreign exchange market. Over time, efforts will focus on improving the business environment by restructuring fees, reducing duplication among government agencies, and enhancing electricity supply,” Dr. Muswere stated.
As a short-term measure, the government has also made the use of electronic transactions mandatory for all businesses to ensure financial transparency and efficiency.
Additionally, Cabinet has endorsed refinements to the foreign exchange management system. Key modifications include reducing the foreign currency retention rate for exporters from 75% to 70%, lowering bank charges, and decreasing minimum deposit interest rates.
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The government has also introduced medium-term strategies to cut down business costs. These include simplifying regulatory procedures, reducing fees and charges, and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic processes among government agencies.
Dr. Muswere noted that these initiatives aim to improve turnaround times and reduce operational expenses for businesses.
Furthermore, strict enforcement of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act will ensure that specific economic sectors remain reserved for local entrepreneurs.
Additional steps will be taken to boost local procurement, accelerate power plant development, modernize electricity distribution networks, and encourage the adoption of alternative energy sources. Social protection programs for informal sector workers will also be expanded.
“The government has outlined short to medium-term interventions to assist Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in formalizing their operations. These include the establishment of designated workspaces, creating a business-friendly regulatory framework, introducing simplified taxation systems, strengthening business development support, enforcing the ban on second-hand goods, and engaging stakeholders in the informal sector,” Dr. Muswere added.
