Government Allocates US$10 Million for Local Content Creation

The government has allocated US$10 million for local content creation as part of a major drive to expand television and radio services under the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). The funding will support the rollout of new television and radio channels and stimulate growth in the country's creative industry.

Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, revealed the funding package during a ZBC stakeholder engagement workshop in Harare. Dr. Muswere said the enabling legislative and policy frameworks now place responsibility on producers to build a sustainable media industry grounded in ethics, national values, and authentic Zimbabwean content.

The government plans to hold pre-budget seminars aimed at establishing content hubs in all 10 provinces for use by filmmakers, musicians, and other players in the creative sector. A Film Policy is also in the pipeline, alongside a National Language Policy expected to be tabled before Cabinet in the first quarter of this year.

ZBC chief executive Mr. Sugar Chagonda said the broadcaster was open to working with all producers and creatives. "We want to hear you, we want to work with you, and we want to grow with you," he said. Acting ZBC board chairperson Mr. Tapson Dzvetero reaffirmed the broadcaster's commitment to working closely with content creators.