Online Reporter
MOTORISTS and businesses will no longer pay the Road Access Fee following Government’s decision to abolish the charge effective July 24, a move aimed at eliminating duplicate fees, lowering the cost of doing business and improving operational efficiency.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona, announced in a statement on Monday, saying the decision forms part of a broader government drive to streamline regulations and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness.
“During the first Cabinet meeting of 2026, His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to finalise the review of taxes, licences, permits and regulatory fees charged across Government,” Minister Mhona said.
He said the review was intended to eliminate excessive administrative costs, streamline regulatory processes, and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness by enhancing the ease of doing business.
Honourable Mhona said Cabinet approved the review of fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry, Road Motor Transportation, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA), with the Ministry implementing the approved reforms.
“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 minister said the Road Access Fee was introduced in 2009 at a time when the country did not have a national road tolling system. However, following the rollout of ZINARA toll gates across the national road network, the fee had become redundant.
“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,” Minister Mhona said.
He said the reform removes duplicated charges and simplifies compliance for road users while supporting Government’s wider regulatory modernisation programme.
Minister Mhona further urged motorists, vehicle owners and transport operators to continue complying with road transport regulations while taking advantage of the revised fee structure now in place.
The abolition of the Road Access Fee is part of Government’s ongoing efforts to rationalise statutory charges, improve service delivery and create a more competitive operating environment for businesses and the transport sector.
