By Nigel Pfunde
MAZOWE — Houseboat operators on Lake Kariba are calling on the government to establish a one-stop shop for registration and licensing procedures, citing the cumbersome regulatory framework that requires them to navigate multiple government offices to meet over 20 statutory obligations before they can legally operate, Express Mail Zim can report.
The operators who aired their challenges at the National Tourism Sector Strategy Stakeholders Consultation Workshop held at Baradzanwa Cultural Village on Monday, argued that the current fragmented system is stifling business growth and deterring potential investors from entering the lake tourism sector, which they say has immense potential to contribute to Zimbabwe’s economic development.
“There are 21 statutory obligations for one to operate a houseboat and one has to move from office to office,” said Cephas Shonhiwa chairperson of Kariba Tourism and Business Indaba .
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Hon Tongai Mnangagwa follows proceedings
He expressed frustration at the bureaucratic hurdles that characterise the current licensing regime.
“There is a need for a one-stop shop and duplication of requirements from ZimParks, EMA, ZTA and so forth,” he added.
The operators’ concerns come amid government efforts to streamline tourism sector regulation. The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry has said it is working to consolidate permits and simplify the licensing process for operators, as it moves to facilitate the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector. Under new reforms, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has been designated as the primary regulatory authority for all tourism businesses.
Inclusivity:ZTA officials brainstorming with stakeholders at the consultative seminar at Baradzanwa Culture Village on Monday
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi acknowledged the challenges operators face, saying that licensing processes have previously forced operators from Masvingo, Hwange, or Binga to travel long distances to Harare.
“Time and money are being lost as people pursue the process, repeating the same procedures now and again.
One-stop-shops are the best way forward” as part of the government’s ease of doing business drive.
The government has taken concrete steps to address the cost burden on operators. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube recently announced a package of Ease of Doing Business reforms targeting the tourism sector in Statutory Instrument 27 of 2026, including the scrapping of the US$600 annual Commercial Boat Permit and a 50 percent cut to the Houseboat Permit, now US$1,250, down from US$2,500. The External Tour Operators Licence was also reduced from US$3,000 to US$1,500. All local authority licence fees were also reduced by 50 percent.
Despite these fee reductions, operators maintain that the administrative burden remains a significant obstacle. According to operators, a permit to operate a boat from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority costs about US$1,500, while other statutory fees including those from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority add to the total cost. These costs, combined with the time lost travelling between offices, have been blamed for the high charges for tourism activities in Kariba. The ZTA has set boat and houseboat registration fees at US$300 under the new schedule.
The houseboat industry plays a vital role in both local and international tourism in Zimbabwe. Lake Kariba, one of southern Africa’s most iconic water bodies, draws thousands of tourists annually, with houseboat charters forming a cornerstone of the lake’s tourism offering. Tourism is the main economic activity in Kariba, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods for many households.
The lake’s fleet includes vessels ranging from four-berth houseboats to luxury craft with 18 or more cabins, each staffed by captains, cooks and deck hands.
For international visitors, houseboat holidays on Lake Kariba offer a signature African experience with slow, serene journeys through wild, untouched landscapes where travellers can spot elephants, crocodiles and hippos along the shore.
The lake’s warm, year-round climate appeals to international travellers and its proximity to major regional tourism circuits including Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Livingstone enhances its appeal.
Meanwhile, the global cruise industry is valued at over US$64 billion, and Zimbabwe has the potential to leverage Lake Kariba as a competitive cruise and lake tourism powerhouse.
Locally, houseboats provide employment for communities around the lake and support a value chain that includes catering, fuel supplies, boat servicing and transfers. The vessels are popular for family holidays, fishing expeditions and even corporate events. However, operators warn that without meaningful regulatory reform, the industry’s potential will remain unrealised.
The operators’ call for a one-stop shop aligns with the government’s stated commitment to improving the ease of doing business. Cabinet has approved the review of the boating services value chain specifically to “remove unjustifiable licences and permits” and “streamline duplicative and overlapping licences”. As one operator summed up the frustration shared by many in the industry: “We are not asking for favours. We are asking for efficiency so that we can focus on growing our businesses and contributing to the economy.”
