Zimbabwe government has reviewed 291 licences, permits, levies and fees as part of reforms aimed at cutting the cost of doing business, Information Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said on Monday.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Soda said the reforms followed a review of regulatory fees across 13 priority sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, banking, health and transport.

“The monitoring and evaluation process has revealed that operationalisation of the approved licences, permits, levies and fees by Government ministries, departments and agencies is at various levels of implementation, with a total of 291 having been fully implemented to date,” he said.

Reforms implemented include the removal of livestock movement clearance fees, cattle levies, fish monger licences and fuel storage registration certificates.

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, Procurement Regulatory Authority and Ministry of Local Government have operationalised reviewed fees through new statutory instruments.

Banks have also begun implementing revised charges.

Soda said government expects the remaining approved fees to be implemented within three months.

He added the reforms had contributed to Zimbabwe’s removal from the World Bank’s list of fragile states.

Cabinet also approved a five-month moratorium for e-hailing operators.

These include Bolt, InDrive, Tap and Go, GoFaster and KOSE to allow for a comprehensive review of regulations in the sector.

Soda said the platforms were providing “convenient, affordable and more dignified services” and employment, but faced regulatory challenges.

During the moratorium, operators will be required to register with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority while industry, regulators and drivers develop a self-regulating framework on safety and operations.