National Arts Council Slashes Registration Fees

Harare -The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has announced an immediate reduction in registration and clearance fees for artists and creative organisations, in a move aimed at easing the cost of doing business within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).

In a press statement issued on Friday, 30 January 2026, NACZ said the revised fee structure takes effect immediately and applies to all artists, arts groups and creative organisations operating nationwide.

The decision follows a directive from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, acting on an instruction from the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, which requires government agencies to review licences, permits and levies as part of broader efforts to improve Zimbabwe’s ease of doing business environment.

Under the revised structure, registration and renewal fees for individual artists remain unchanged at a flat US$20, while arts groups will continue to pay US$50, rates that were introduced in 2023 following regulatory amendments.
However, significant reductions have been effected for arts institutions, organisations, associations, centres, trusts and community festivals. Registration fees for these entities have been reduced to US$125, while annual renewal fees now stand at US$75, down from the previous charges of US$250 and US$150 respectively introduced under Statutory Instrument 46 of 2023.

Business promoters will now pay US$325 for registration, down from US$650, while renewal fees have been reduced to US$550. Clearance fees for local shows have been halved from US$1 200 to US$600, with the same amount now payable for renewal.

Commercial festival promoters and arts awards organisers will pay US$250 for registration, reduced from US$500, while renewal fees have been set at US$200. Studios, church organisations, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations and trusts will also benefit from the reduced US$250 registration fee.

Venue promoters, who previously paid US$50, have had their renewal fees waived entirely under the new structure.
For the engagement of foreign artistes, NACZ has maintained the clearance fee at five percent of gate takings or venue capacity. However, the minimum charge has been reduced from US$1 000, as set in 2023, to US$500.

Clearance fees for broadcasting, sound and musical equipment have also been revised downwards from five percent of invoice value to 1.5 percent. Under the 2023 regulations, NACZ collected five percent of the invoice value for such equipment.

NACZ said the revised fees are intended to lower barriers to formalisation, encourage compliance and allow artists and creative organisations to redirect resources towards production, innovation and long-term sustainability.
The council urged both existing and new practitioners to take advantage of the new fee structure, noting that the arts and culture sector remains a critical contributor to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic development.