A Closer Look at Zimbabwe’s $5.5 Million Political Party Funding in 2025

Executive Summary

In 2025, Zimbabwe’s political parties received a total of approximately US$5.5 million in public funding under the Political Parties (Finance) Act (PPFA), with the ruling ZANU PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as the only beneficiaries. This report analyses the disbursement of these funds, which are allocated based on each party’s share of votes in the National Assembly election, requiring a minimum threshold of 5% to qualify. While the funding increased by 8.3% compared to 2024, the report highlights significant gaps in the PPFA, including the exclusion of smaller parties, lack of transparency around private contributions, and absence of independent auditing or accountability mechanisms. The findings underscore the need for broader political finance reforms to enhance transparency, ensure equitable competition, and strengthen democratic processes in Zimbabwe.

POLITICAL PARTY (FINANCE) ACT FACTSHEET
Analysis of the 2025 Disbursements in Zimbabwe
Political Parties Receive $5.5M in Funding for 2025
October 2025

Introduction

On 2 September 2025, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, announced the disbursement of funds to political parties under the Political Parties (Finance) Act [Chapter 2:11] (PPFA) for the period 1 January to 31 December 2025 (General Notice 1829 of 2025). Under this Act, political parties that secure at least 5% of the votes cast in the National Assembly are entitled to receive state funding for each parliamentary year.

This factsheet details only the public funding disbursed under the PPFA. While parties may also receive private contributions, there is no legal obligation to disclose such funding.

What is the Political Parties (Finance) Act [Chapter 2:11]?

The Political Parties (Finance) Act regulates state funding for political parties in Zimbabwe and prohibits foreign private donations. Funding is allocated based on the number of votes a party receives in the most recent National Assembly election. Only parties with at least 5% of votes qualify for disbursements, excluding smaller parties and independents.

The Minister adjusts funding after by-elections to reflect changes in vote totals. The purpose of the funding is to support administrative and political activities, promoting a multiparty democracy.

Political Party Disbursements – 2025

In 2025, political parties represented in Parliament received ZWL 5,531,180 (approx. US$5.53M) under the PPFA. ZANU PF received 69.3% of this funding, and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) received 30.7%. This represents an 8.3% increase over the US$5.1 million disbursed in 2024.

2025 Disbursement Breakdown

• Total funding: US$5,531,180

• ZANU PF: US$3,833,108 (69.3%)

• CCC: US$1,698,072 (30.7%)

Cumulative Disbursements (Since 2023 Harmonised Election)

Since the 2023 Harmonised Election and the start of the Tenth Parliament (2023-2028), two disbursements have been made under the PPFA: September 2024 and September 2025.

Cumulative Disbursement Totals

What the Political Parties (Finance) Act Misses

While the PPFA provides legal grounds for public funding of political parties, significant gaps remain:

• Private Funding: The Act does not regulate or require disclosure of private donations from individuals or businesses, except banning foreign contributions.

• Audit and Transparency: There is no obligation for political parties to publicly disclose expenditures, nor does the Act mandate independent audits. Enforcement mechanisms or sanctions for misuse of public funds are absent.

Concluding Remarks

The Minister’s publication of disbursement data is a positive step for transparency. However, Zimbabwe’s political party financing landscape remains largely unregulated, with no limits on income or spending, no mandatory public reporting, and no independent oversight.

The 5% eligibility threshold excludes smaller parties and independents, consolidating power within established parties and limiting competitive democracy. For improved fairness and accountability, comprehensive campaign finance regulation should include disclosures, independent audits, and oversight with sanctions for violations. Extending regulation to political advertising and third-party campaigning would further safeguard the democratic process.

Without effective accountability, dominant parties can leverage state and private resources unchecked, undermining a level political playing field.