Zimbabwe lifts land use moratorium, restores planning powers to local authorities

Harare Zimbabwe skyline

HARARE — The Zimbabwean government has lifted restrictions on land use changes, restoring full planning authority to local councils in a major policy shift set to reshape urban development, property investment, and spatial planning across the country. The decision, announced by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, ends a Conditional Moratorium that had been in place since May 2025, which temporarily centralised control over land use approvals.

In an official notice addressed to mayors, council chairpersons, and senior officials, Garwe confirmed that, with effect from March 31, 2026, local authorities can once again independently approve changes in land use and reservation adjustments under the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act.

“With this withdrawal of the Conditional Moratorium, local authorities are no longer prohibited from exercising… Local Planning Authority powers in respect of change of use and change of reservation,” Garwe said.

The moratorium, introduced under Section 69 of the Act, had suspended councils’ authority over key planning decisions amid concerns over unregulated urban expansion, land misuse, and weak development control systems.

Garwe said the government’s decision follows a comprehensive assessment showing that councils have significantly strengthened their internal planning and regulatory capacity.

“The decision to withdraw has been taken after careful appraisal and assessment, which generally show that local authorities have significantly improved their internal planning and development control capacity,” he said.

Authorities have been urged to continue reinforcing spatial planning systems and maintain strict oversight of development activities to ensure orderly urban growth.

Urban planning experts say the move is likely to accelerate property development approvals, unlock stalled projects, and improve turnaround times for investors. Property analyst Nyasha Mataruse told Southerton Business Times that decentralisation could stimulate economic activity.

“This policy shift reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks. Developers and investors will benefit from faster decision-making at council level, which is critical for real estate growth and infrastructure expansion,” she said.

However, she warned that inconsistent enforcement across councils could pose risks.

“The success of this reform will depend on governance, transparency and adherence to planning regulations.”

The Ministry said its Inspectorate Department will continue monitoring compliance to ensure that councils adhere to agreed standards and avoid the challenges that led to the moratorium.

Urban development researcher Engineer Farai Zhou said strong oversight remains essential.

“Decentralisation works best when paired with accountability. Without proper checks, there is a risk of uncontrolled developments, informal settlements and environmental degradation,” he said.

The lifting of the moratorium signals renewed confidence in local governance structures and a shift towards decentralised urban planning. For cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, and rapidly growing towns, the decision is expected to influence zoning, land allocation, and infrastructure development in the coming years. As Zimbabwe seeks to modernise its urban spaces and attract investment, the policy change could mark a turning point provided local authorities maintain robust planning standards and align development with national growth strategies.

Zimbabwe land use policy