The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has launched the Plumtree Small Trader Pilot Project (STPP), an initiative aimed at making formalisation and compliance easier and more accessible for small scale traders operating in the border community.
The three-day launch, held from 22 to 24 September 2026, brought together ZIMRA officials, small traders, Government stakeholders and representatives from IMF AFRITAC South.
Among the key guests were Headman Mabhunu, IMF Afritac South representatives Mrs. Janice Barnett and Mr. Stephen Mendes, Mrs Prunela Tembo, Community Services Officer from Plumtree Town Council, Mrs Merjury Sikundla, Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mrs Memory Mugwagwa, Regional Immigration Officer covering Plumtree, Mphoengs, Maitengwe and Mlambapele Border Posts.
Speaking at the launch, IMF AFRITAC South Consultant Mrs Janice Barnett reaffirmed the IMF's support for the initiative, saying the organisation looked forward to contributing towards revenue mobilisation.
IMF AFRITAC South Resident Customs Administration Advisor Mr Stephen Mendes said the pilot could potentially provide a foundation for broader initiatives to bring informal traders into the formal economy across Africa.
Representing the Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Regional Manager, Region 2 Customs & Excise, Mr Bekezela. Majokojoko, said the initiative would strengthen the relationship between ZIMRA and small traders.
He said Customs plays an important role not only in revenue collection, but also in facilitating legitimate international trade and supporting businesses engaged in cross border commerce. Small traders, he noted, contribute significantly to livelihoods, economic activity and the movement of goods across Zimbabwe's borders.
Mr Majokojoko said the objective of the pilot was not simply to register traders, but to support their transition into the formal economy in a practical, supportive and sustainable manner.
Mrs. Sikundla encouraged stakeholders to work together, reminding participants that together they can achieve anything when they put their minds together.
Closing the programme on behalf of the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, Mr Gideon Nleya, said the initiative recognised the important contribution of small businesses and informal traders to Zimbabwe's economy.
He said Domestic Taxes was responsible not only for administering and collecting domestic taxes, but also for educating, guiding and assisting taxpayers to understand and meet their obligations.
Mr Nleya encouraged traders to approach ZIMRA for assistance on registration, tax obligations, record keeping, returns and other compliance requirements. He also emphasised that trader feedback would be critical in identifying areas where processes could be simplified.
The launch included presentations on the STPP by the ZIMRA Project team, completion of questionnaires led by the Project Coordinator Mrs. Silvia Chauke and a walkthrough of the process flow and a visit to the STPP Priority Desk, allowing stakeholders to observe the initiative in practice.
The pilot is based on collaboration among ZIMRA, Government institutions, development partners, local leadership and the trading community. Its success will depend on continued engagement and feedback from traders as the project is monitored and reviewed.
The Plumtree STPP seeks to build a relationship between ZIMRA and small traders based on education, facilitation, compliance and mutual trust, while generating lessons that could inform future initiatives beyond Plumtree.