Matebeleland Pulse Reporter
The Government of Zimbabwe has officially abolished the Road Access Fee, a levy that had been charged to motorists since 2009, as part of broader efforts to reduce the cost of doing business and eliminate duplicative government fees.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Advocate Felix Tapiwa Mhona, in a press statement following the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026 on 24 July 2026, which gives legal effect to the removal of the fee.
According to the minister, the decision follows a directive issued by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the first Cabinet meeting of 2026, instructing government ministries, departments and agencies to review taxes, licences, permits and regulatory charges with a view to removing unnecessary administrative costs.
“This directive is part of the broader national effort to eliminate excessive administrative costs, streamline regulatory processes, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness by enhancing the ease of doing business,” Minister Mhona said.
The ministry said the review focused on fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), the Road Motor Transportation (RMT) department and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), with particular attention given to removing charges considered unjustified, duplicated or overlapping.
Mhona said the rationalisation process had resulted in the removal of regulatory requirements and permit charges that duplicated functions across government agencies and imposed unnecessary transaction costs.
“I am pleased to advise the nation that Statutory Instrument 113 of 2026 was gazetted on 24 July 2026, giving legal effect to the removal of the Road Access Fee. This milestone aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and promoting economic competitiveness,” he said.
The Road Access Fee was introduced in 2009 before Zimbabwe established a national road tolling system. However, the ministry said the subsequent rollout of the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) toll gate network rendered the fee redundant, with motorists effectively paying twice for similar road access services.
“With the subsequent rollout of ZINARA toll gates across the national road network, the fee became duplicative, resulting in motorists being charged twice for the same service. This duplication imposed unnecessary financial and administrative burdens on transport operators and the travelling public,” Mhona said.
The removal of the fee is expected to ease compliance costs for motorists, transport operators and businesses while simplifying the country’s transport regulatory framework.
Despite the changes, the minister urged road users to continue complying with all road transport regulations under the revised fee structure.
“The Ministry remains firmly committed to creating a modern, efficient and business-friendly transport regulatory framework. I therefore urge all drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators to comply fully with road transport regulations and to take advantage of the revised, streamlined fee structure now in place,” Mhona said.
The abolition of the Road Access Fee forms part of the government’s wider programme to simplify regulatory processes, improve public service efficiency and enhance Zimbabwe’s investment and business environment.
