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NGO Compliance Centre
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The Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, 2025 has introduced significant changes to the regulatory environment for civil society organisations operating in Zimbabwe. In response, the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) has developed the PVO Registration Advisory Note to guide organisations through the revised registration process. This Advisory Note serves as a practical, step-by-step resource designed to help both local and international NGOs understand what is required under the new law and how to meet those requirements effectively. It also provides specific guidance for organisations looking to transition from Trusts or Common Law Universitas entities to formal PVO status, ensuring they remain compliant and able to continue their work uninterrupted.
The Advisory Note reflects NANGO’s ongoing commitment to fostering an accountable, compliant, and impactful civil society sector. By equipping organisations with clear instructions and actionable tips, this resource aims to reduce confusion around the new regulatory framework and empower NGOs to sustain their operations without fear of non-compliance. At a time when civic space is under increasing scrutiny, understanding and adhering to legal obligations is essential for maintaining legitimacy and protecting the ability of organisations to serve communities effectively and sustainably.
We encourage all civil society actors to take advantage of this resource by downloading the PVO Registration Advisory Note and reviewing it carefully as part of their compliance efforts. For those seeking further guidance or clarification, NANGO’s regional offices and compliance team remain available to provide support and answer questions. Together, we can uphold the integrity of Zimbabwe’s civil society, ensuring it continues to contribute meaningfully to equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development across the country.
Download the attachment below for more information
The Income Tax Act [Chapter 23:06] governs the levying, calculation and collection of income tax in Zimbabwe, covering exemptions and allowable deductions, taxation of shareholders, interest, fees, remittances and royalties, self-assessment and return-filing obligations, special provisions for cross-border and international transactions, and a range of specific levies including presumptive tax, intermediated money transfer tax and non-executive directors' fees tax. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations, particularly around understanding exemptions relevant to non-governmental and non-profit entities and staying informed of their tax compliance obligations under Zimbabwean law. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, and to seek professional tax advice where specific application to their organisation is unclear.
NANGO is pleased to share the PVO Amendment Act Fact Sheet 2025, a simple and easy-to-understand guide that explains the main points of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, 2025. This Fact Sheet is meant to help civil society organisations, stakeholders, and development partners understand the law in a clear and accessible way. It highlights key sections of the Act, explains what they mean, and provides useful notes to support compliance, guide strategic decisions, and strengthen collective advocacy. The Fact Sheet is a helpful tool for anyone working in or with civil society, especially those affected by the new legal requirements. We encourage you to download the Fact Sheet, use it in your work, and share it widely within your networks. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the contents further, please feel free to reach out to the NANGO Secretariat.
The Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act [Chapter 9:24] establishes Zimbabwe's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework, providing for the Financial Intelligence Unit, money laundering and terrorist financing offences, cross-border currency and asset disclosure obligations, national risk assessment mechanisms, and customer due diligence, record-keeping and suspicious transaction reporting obligations for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations, given the sector's obligations around financial transparency, donor fund handling and compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing requirements. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, and to seek professional legal or compliance advice where specific application to their organisation is unclear.
The Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27] establishes Zimbabwe's framework for environmental governance, providing for the National Environmental Council, the Environmental Management Agency and Board, the Environment Fund and environment levy, environmental quality standards, and the powers of inspectors and officers to monitor compliance, alongside the general environmental rights and principles that guide the Act's application. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations working on environmental sustainability, natural resource management and climate-related programming, to strengthen understanding of the regulatory environment governing environmental protection in Zimbabwe. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, and to align relevant programme activities with its requirements.
The Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] is Zimbabwe's principal employment law, setting out the fundamental rights of employees, protections against unfair labour practices, general conditions of employment (including contracts, remuneration, dismissal, retrenchment, leave and termination), the framework for workers committees, trade unions and collective bargaining, and minimum wage regulation. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations to strengthen understanding of their obligations as employers, including staff contracts, dismissal and retrenchment procedures, leave entitlements, and workplace rights. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, and to seek professional HR or legal advice where specific application to their organisation is unclear.
The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] governs procurement processes for public entities in Zimbabwe, establishing the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, setting out responsibilities for procuring entities and accounting officers, procurement planning and preparation, technical requirements and bidder qualifications, procurement methods (including competitive bidding, restricted bidding, direct procurement and requests for quotations), and detailed procedures for competitive and restricted bidding processes. NANGO shares this legislation as a resource for member organisations engaging in procurement processes with government or public entities, or seeking to align their own procurement practices with recognised standards of transparency and accountability. Members are encouraged to review the Act, available in full below, for further detail on its provisions.
NANGO-PVO-Registration-Advisory-Note-2025.pdf