By Kuda Pembere
Zimbabwe has collected close to US$1 million in fast food tax revenue, a levy introduced by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in the 2025 National Budget presentation.
Set at 0.5 percent of sales for fast foods such as pizza, burgers, French fries, and doughnuts, the tax is aimed at promoting healthy eating and curbing the rise of obesity and non-communicable diseases.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa disclosed the figures during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to advise that total collections from fast foods tax amounted to USD954,912. While collections commenced in January 2025, accounting for the tax was effective from March 2025 due to the pending Tax and Revenue Management System (TAMS) and confederation process by ZIMRA,” he said.
He clarified further, “Collections started in January 2025, so we are collecting the Fast Foods Tax since January 2025 but the accounting of it started in March. This is the disaggregation. Therefore, this USD954,912 is from January to June 2025.”
The remarks came in response to questions from Emakhandeni-Luveve legislator Honorable Collins Bajila, who sought clarity on the progress of fast food tax collections.
“I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the response. My supplementary question lies in the gap that he made reference to between January and March, that collections started later, yet it was supposed to start with effect from January, in terms of the budget proposal or the budget statements. Does that mean that those who are in the fast foods industry, in terms of tax, there was a collection that was done which was backdated? If that collection was done and backdated, is it part of this USD954,000?” quizzed Honorable Bajila.
