The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has announced a cut in registration fees for artists and creative organisations, starting today, 30 January 2026.
The move is meant to reduce the cost of doing business in the cultural and creative industries.
The lower fees apply to all artists, arts associations and creative organisations from 30 January 2026.
In a statement, NACZ said the decision supports the Government’s wider plan to boost economic growth and strengthen Zimbabwe’s creative economy by removing long-standing barriers that have made it difficult for artists to formalise their work and comply with regulations. NACZ said:
“The revised fee structure is designed to reduce the operational burden on artists and creative enterprises, encourage compliance, and allow practitioners to redirect resources towards production, innovation and sustainability.”
NACZ has revised registration and renewal fees for various categories within the arts and creative sector. Fees for Arts Groups remain unchanged at US$50.
For Arts Institutions, Organisations, Associations, Centres, Arts Trusts, and Community Festivals, the registration fee has been cut from US$250 to US$125, while the renewal fee has been reduced from US$150 to US$75.
Business Promoters now pay a registration fee of US$325, down from US$650, and a renewal fee of US$275, reduced from US$550.
Clearance of local shows has also been adjusted. The registration fee has been lowered from US$1 200 to US$600, and the renewal fee has been reduced from US$1 200 to US$600.
The monthly fee for local show clearance has been halved from US$100 to US$50. For venue promoters, both the registration fee of US$500 and the renewal fee of US$400 have been completely waived.
For Commercial Festival Promoters and Arts Awards, registration fees have been cut from US$500 to US$250, and renewal fees reduced from US$400 to US$200.
Studios, church organisations, and CSOs/NGOs/Trusts will also benefit from the same reductions, with registration fees now at US$250 and renewal fees at US$200. Individual artists, however, continue to pay US$20 for both registration and renewal fees.
Fees for the clearance of foreign artists’ importation have been reduced from 5% of gate takings or venue capacity, with a minimum of US$1 000, to 5% of gate takings or venue capacity, with a minimum of US$500.
Similarly, clearance fees for production and musical equipment have been lowered from 5% of the invoice value to 1.5%.
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