Event Summary
On 29 August 2025, the Government of Zimbabwe gazetted new registration fees for Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) under Statutory Instrument 82 of 2025, implementing provisions of the recently enacted and widely criticised PVO Amendment Act. The new regulations require international PVOs to pay US$250 and local organisations US$150, with payments also accepted in local currency at the prevailing bank rate. While the government claims the fees are intended to enhance transparency and accountability, the timing and nature of the fee structure have raised concerns about the financial burden on grassroots organisations, many of which already struggle to sustain operations.
The introduction of new registration fees for PVOs is not an isolated event but part of a broader and ongoing pattern of government efforts to regulate civil society more strictly. It reflects the state’s persistent push to centralise oversight and apply a uniform regulatory framework, often without considering the diverse capacities and contexts in which different CSOs operate. While the distinction between international and local organisations in the fee structure is commendable, the regulations still overlook the significant variations within the local sector itself, ranging from large, nationally recognised NGOs with substantial budgets to small, community-based organisations operating in rural areas with minimal resources. Critics argue that this disproportionately affects smaller, community-based groups and may lead to their reduced civic engagement, especially in rural and marginalised areas, undermining the ability of grassroots actors to contribute meaningfully to national development.