HARARE — Zimbabwe is moving to formalise one of the country’s fastest growing segments of the digital gig economy. In a sweeping policy shift, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has issued a final ultimatum: all operators using online accommodation platforms such as Airbnb must register with the Authority by February 28, 2026, or face closure and possible prosecution.
Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi revealed the scale of non-compliance, stating that approximately 99 percent of Airbnb properties in Harare currently operate without licences. The announcement marks a significant turning point in how Zimbabwe regulates digitally enabled income streams.
The Rise of Platform-Driven Hospitality Income
Over the past decade, online accommodation platforms have quietly become a key income channel for many Zimbabweans. These platforms enabled property owners to earn foreign currency directly from international travellers, often bypassing traditional hospitality industry structures.
Unlike conventional hotels, most Airbnb hosts operate as individuals rather than registered businesses. This allowed them to participate in global tourism markets with minimal regulatory barriers.
The rapid growth of these platforms coincided with increased internet penetration, mobile payment adoption, and rising demand for flexible travel accommodation.
How Digital Hospitality Platforms Operate
Online accommodation platforms function as global marketplaces that connect property owners with travellers. Revenue flows through international digital payment infrastructure rather than local booking systems.
Typically, payments are processed through international card networks such as Visa and Mastercard, or through cross-border digital wallets. Platform operators deduct commissions before transferring funds to hosts, often through foreign currency accounts or international remittance channels.
Because these transactions frequently occur outside local banking settlement systems, many earnings have historically remained outside Zimbabwe’s formal tourism reporting framework.
The Regulatory Framework: Data Registration and Platform Oversight
At the centre of the new compliance push is the Tourism Bill of 2025, which introduces provisions targeting digital accommodation platforms.
The law requires:
- Registration of all online accommodation operators
- Mandatory sharing of platform data with the Authority
- Verification of property compliance with safety standards
Authorities state that the objective is to create a comprehensive national database of accommodation providers operating through digital platforms.
ZTA CEO George Manyaya has confirmed that beginning March 1, 2026, enforcement will include field inspections conducted jointly with law enforcement agencies.
The Fiscal Dimension: Bringing Platform Income Into the Tax Net
The policy shift also coincides with broader fiscal changes affecting the tourism sector. Effective January 2026, government implemented a 15.5 percent Value Added Tax on tourism services previously classified as zero-rated.
In addition, the VAT registration threshold was reduced from US$40,000 to US$25,000, expanding the number of small operators subject to tax obligations.
By requiring platform registration, authorities gain visibility into income streams that were previously difficult to track, particularly those received through international payment channels.
Safety and Industry Standardisation Objectives
Government officials have also framed the policy as a consumer protection measure. Authorities cite recent public health concerns in informal accommodation and the absence of standardised guest records as risks to the tourism sector.
Registration requirements now include documentation such as:
- Proof of property ownership
- Health and fire compliance certificates
- Public liability insurance
To encourage compliance, licensing fees have been significantly reduced, with small guest houses paying approximately US$200 annually.
Regional Context: A Growing African Policy Trend
Zimbabwe’s move mirrors regulatory developments across several African tourism markets.
Countries including Kenya and South Africa have introduced similar requirements requiring digital accommodation hosts to register and pay tourism taxes. These policies reflect a broader trend in which governments seek to integrate platform-based income streams into formal economic frameworks.
Impact on Zimbabwe’s Digital Economy
The formalisation of platform hospitality has broader implications beyond tourism. Digital accommodation platforms represent one of the largest segments of Zimbabwe’s informal digital economy, generating foreign currency inflows for thousands of households.
By bringing this sector into the regulatory and tax system, authorities aim to improve revenue collection and data visibility. However, analysts note that increased compliance costs may discourage participation among smaller operators.
The Debate: Regulation Versus Digital Entrepreneurship
The policy has generated strong reactions across the country. Critics argue that the Tourism Bill grants extensive discretionary powers to regulators, potentially affecting small-scale digital entrepreneurs.
Supporters, however, contend that formalisation is necessary to ensure safety standards, maintain fair competition with licensed hotels, and improve economic transparency.
What Happens Next
As the February 28 deadline approaches, thousands of property owners must decide whether to enter the formal regulatory framework or exit platform-based accommodation services.
The outcome will likely reshape Zimbabwe’s digital hospitality landscape and serve as a test case for how emerging economies regulate platform-enabled income streams.
Why This Matters
Zimbabwe’s Airbnb compliance drive represents more than a tourism policy change. It highlights the growing intersection between digital platforms, cross-border payment infrastructure, and government regulatory frameworks.
As digital gig economy activities expand, policymakers increasingly face the challenge of balancing economic innovation with taxation, oversight, and consumer protection.
