The ZIMRA Change Management programme started full throttle with a high-level workshop, which took place at a hotel in Juliusdale from 20 October to 24 October 2019.

Among those who attended the workshop were the ZIMRA Director of Strategy Mr Joey Shumbamhini, the ZIMRA Change Management Programme Chairperson Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, and a whole host of managers from different divisions and Regions. This team has been selected as the lead agents of the ZIMRA Change Management, which is expected to breathe fresh air in the way that the Authority conducts its business.

The ZIMRA Change Management has ten main objectives, which include elimination of fear and foster innovation within the Authority. The other main objective is to eliminate silos and foster a culture of teamwork within ZIMRA. Another major objective of the change management programme is to increase staff and client satisfaction and to strengthen the ZIMRA image through a robust rebranding exercise.

“As an organisation, we are basically changing so that we achieve our strategic goals as enunciated in our five year strategic plan. As ZIMRA, we are changing three things, mainly the organisation, the people the processes and systems,” said Mr Joey Shumbamhini, the Director of Research and Strategy in the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. 

Mr Shumbamhini highlighted that some of the major take aways from last week’s workshop included lack of effective communication among divisions, low staff morale, culture of fear within the Authority and a general lack of trust among ZIMRA personnel.

“To this effect, change management is coming in to correct and rectify some of these glaring shortcomings which have a potential to undermine the successful execution of our mandate as an organisation,” said Mr Shumbamhini.

ZIMRA is embarking on a robust change management programme, which shall see a drastic transformation of the way the Authority conducts its business. The change management programme is part of the Authority’s 5-year strategy, which runs from 2019 to 2023.  

Teams conduct building exercises

Attendees follow proceedings as the consultant during the Change Management Workshop

The business community seems to be taking seriously the ZIMRA client education initiatives, if numbers which attended the Mutare Breakfast meeting are anything to go by. The breakfast meeting was convened by the ZIMRA management team in Mutare to explain contents of the 2019 National budget and how it impacts on business operations. The meeting was attended by players in the Mutare business community, Small and Medium Enterprises representatives, and a number of associations in the freight and forwarding industry.

As part of its stakeholder relationship-building programme, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) commemorated the International Customs Day in Victoria Falls with attendees coming from various players in the freight forwarding industry, security services, local government including the Victoria Falls Mayor and the District Administrator and a delegation from the Zambia Revenue Authority. The theme for this year’s event was “SMART borders for seamless Trade, Travel and Transport.”

The 2019, 8th edition of the Zimtrade Annual Exporters Conference rolled into life on 17 – 18 October 2019 under the theme Rethink, Reform, Export” with the support of policy makers, experts, development cooperation partners and stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority,(ZIMRA).

The conference, which was held in Bulawayo for the first time since inception in 2012, attracted more than 500 local and foreign delegates, among them captains of industry, government officials, exporters, buyers and private and public players in the economy.

Guest of Honour at the conference, His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa underscored the need for engagement across all sectors of the economy to forge strong business linkages and to create a strong environment for export growth.

“I am honoured to officiate at this occasion. I attended last year’s event and realised that it gave a platform for constructive dialogue that creates an enabling environment to boost trade. I am pleased that 2019 has depth and an analytical approach, giving us an opportunity to exchange ideas, to stimulate productivity and economic growth through an export driven strategy. It is befitting that the conference is being held in Bulawayo as it is a special economic zone. The theme of this conference is timely because it challenges all stakeholders to introspect and to increase foreign currency generation,” said Honourable Munangagwa.

He added that there is need for urgent private and public synergies to stabilise and grow the economy under the banner Zimbabwe is open for business”.

As part of the Discussants at the same conference under the session, ”Reforming the Policy environment, for Zimbabwe’s export growth, Commissioner General for ZIMRA, Ms Faith Mazani said  that ZIMRA was ready to advocate to and to  implement policies that will go a long way in broadening exports.

“ZIMRA stands firm in spearheading innovation and coordination and to work with all stakeholders in the export sector. I implore you therefore to work with us in increasing tax and duty compliance. Once we take this burden and carry it together, we can truly succeed. We need to share the burden equally, it is unfortunate that a few are complying with their tax obligations, said Ms Mazani.

She added that Zimbabwe should fight against corruption as the cost of corruption is destroying the nation.

The Zimtrade annual conference aims to foster dialogue and linkages between delegates and business leaders from different sectors and to come up with solutions will improve Zimbabwe’s trade balance. Zimtrade has also successfully driven the Market for Eastern and Southern Africa trade agreements to which Zimbabwe is a signatory and has opened up more markets for locally value-added manufactured products.

Players from the tourism sector took some time to meet with ZIMRA Region 2 to discuss challenges being faced in the industry and how to improve the modalities of doing business in the sector.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) participated as part of the @ZimTreasury delegation that made oral submissions to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in October 2025.

During the engagement, ZIMRA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to meeting the 2025 revenue targets, underscoring that all hands are on deck in driving national resource mobilisation.

Looking ahead, ZIMRA highlighted that 2026 will be defined by a focus on digitalisation, sector-based taxpayer education, and the use of artificial intelligence in tax administration to enhance efficiency and broaden the taxpayer base.

ZIMRA remains committed to building a smarter, more transparent and service-driven institution that supports Zimbabwe’s growth and development.

ZIMRA snatched the ZNCC BEST PUBLIC ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR AWARD for Matabeleland Region amid pomp and fanfare at a colourful ceremony held in Bulawayo last Friday.

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual Business Awards seek to honour and recognise business excellence and acumen leadership exhibited by business leaders such as ZIMRA.

ZIMRA won the award owing to its responsibility in creating and enhancing economic growth, promotion and the increased the use of local suppliers, content and materials in its operations and those of suppliers and partners with a proven track record during the year 2018 as deemed so by the independent adjudication committee that sat on Wednesday 5th of June 2019 in Bulawayo.

On 31 January 2019, ZIMRA Region 3 held a Breakfast meeting to discuss highlights of the 2019 budget announced by the minister of Finance on 22 November 2018. The meeting was held in line with the CG’s thrust of building partnerships with stakeholders.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) recently held a high-level Strategic Planning Meeting in Mutare, bringing together the Board, Executive Management, Senior Leadership, and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion (MoFEDIP) and economic consultants.

In his opening remarks, the ZIMRA Board Chairman welcomed participants to what he described as a defining gathering at a pivotal moment in ZIMRA’s journey and the nation’s economic transformation. He reminded delegates that this was not an ordinary meeting but a session of reflection and forward planning, aimed at shaping the future of revenue administration and Zimbabwe’s economic growth over the next five years.

“We are here not simply to plan,” he said, “but to shape the future of revenue administration and Zimbabwe’s economic growth.”

Reflecting on the Journey (2021–2025)

The Chairman described the 2021–2025 Strategic Plan as a period of achievement and transformation. ZIMRA fulfilled its pledge to modernise by embedding systems such as TaRMS, SAP, Fiscalisation, ASYCUDA, and ECTS, moving from a manual-dependent organisation to a digital-driven authority.

“This is a milestone,” he said, “but it is only the beginning. The real question is: what greater difference will ZIMRA make in the next five years?”

He highlighted that the rebased GDP reshapes Zimbabwe’s economic landscape and presents both opportunities and challenges. With the national target to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from 14.5 percent in 2025 to 22 percent by 2030, ZIMRA must rethink domestic resource mobilisation. Nearly three-quarters of the economy remains informal, and strategies must draw this sector into the mainstream while promoting inclusion, innovation, and empowerment.

The Chairman called for a holistic approach to taxation that supports economic growth, fairness, and compliance, ensuring all taxpayers contribute to building a stronger Zimbabwe.

The Vision for 2026–2030

Looking ahead, he outlined an ambitious vision to build a ZIMRA that is modern, digital, trusted and people-centred. The Authority aims to broaden the tax base, integrate the informal sector and strengthen compliance through data-driven intelligence and advanced technologies.

The vision includes growing the tax-to-GDP ratio to 22 percent by 2030, supported by AI-powered compliance and risk management systems. A sustainable funding model, completion of a modern Head Office, and development of a skilled, ethical workforce will reinforce resilience and service excellence. ZIMRA will also embed environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and facilitate seamless trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Embracing Artificial Intelligence

The Chairman described AI as a paradigm shift that will transform ZIMRA’s operations. AI will enable real-time monitoring, detect risks, simplify compliance, reduce business costs and improve transparency, while strengthening the workforce through enhanced decision-making and digital skill development.

“This is more than an upgrade. It will position ZIMRA as a leader in digital tax administration on the continent.”

He emphasised that ZIMRA’s strategy must align with national priorities, particularly NDS2, and respond to the evolving macroeconomic environment. Insights from MoFEDIP will guide the refinement of sustainable revenue mobilisation strategies. Once NDS2 is finalised, ZIMRA will reconvene to ensure full alignment with national goals.

Addressing corruption and system abuse, the Chairman reiterated ZIMRA’s zero-tolerance stance. He urged staff to safeguard the integrity of systems and revenue, strengthen supervision, enforce accountability and close gaps that enable misconduct.

“We must lead by example and uphold the trust that the nation has placed in us.”

The Chairman called on all participants to emerge with a clear roadmap, defined milestones, and a unified vision for a stronger, smarter, and more effective ZIMRA.

“If we succeed here, Zimbabwe will succeed. If we build boldly here, the nation will rise boldly there. Together, Government, taxpayers, business and development partners, we must shape a ZIMRA that is modern, formidable, AI-driven and faithful to the people it serves.”