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The enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Act, 2025 has raised many questions and concerns among civil society organisations regarding its provisions, implications, and practical implementation. To address these concerns and provide clarity, the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) has developed the PVO Amendment Act, 2025, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) resource. This comprehensive document compiles the most common questions received by NANGO and CIASA from both local and international NGOs during consultations, compliance clinics, and outreach sessions conducted across Zimbabwe. It offers straightforward, factual responses to help organisations better understand the legal requirements and avoid common misconceptions about the Act.
The FAQs cover a wide range of issues, including registration obligations, transitional arrangements for existing entities, operational restrictions, reporting requirements, and the implications for organisations with international affiliations or funding. By consolidating these responses, NANGO aims to empower NGOs with reliable information, enabling them to plan and adapt their operations in line with the law while continuing to serve communities effectively. This resource also complements other IEC materials produced by NANGO, such as the PVO Amendment Act Fact Sheet, Registration Advisory Note, and awareness videos, all geared towards building an accountable, compliant, and resilient civil society sector in Zimbabwe.
We encourage all organisations to download and study the PVO Amendment Act, 2025, FAQs as part of their compliance and governance processes. For further support or clarification, NANGO’s compliance team remains available through our regional offices and official communication channels. Together, we can strengthen civic space by fostering transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal frameworks that enable inclusive and sustainable development.
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), a coordinating body of 1270 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in Zimbabwe, values the need for a vibrant, strong, and free civil society, essential in advancing sustainable development through democracy and good governance. The 'Whole of Society' approach adopted by the Government of Zimbabwe affirms that, 'CSOs are independent development actors in their own right, playing a vital role in advocating respect for human rights, in shaping development policies and in overseeing their implementation.'
However, the current legal, administrative, and policy pronouncements by the government are inhibitive in forwarding the interests of CSOs
operating in Zimbabwe. Legislations governing CSOs in Zimbabwe have increasingly become more restrictive with the enactment of new laws or amendments that curtail civil society activities and compromise their autonomy such as the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill of 2021. These include excessive and expensive administrative procedures in the areas of advocacy, human rights, or other democracy and governance-related interventions.
From NANGO's perspective, it is imperative for CSOs to collectively dialogue on how to safeguard the operating environment even in a very complex and restrictive context. Joint action by CSOs is also essential to strengthen security and protection mechanisms to safeguard the civic space. Sustainable development and democracy cannot be achieved in the absence of a robust and independent civil society or respect for human rights and human dignity.
To read more, download the attachment below:
NANGO-PVO-Amendment-Act-2025-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf