ZIMRA Breaks Ground on New HQ and Achieves International Quality Standard
Francis
ZIMRA Declares Independence: New $XX Million HQ Breaks Ground Alongside Historic ISO Quality Certification
The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has celebrated the attainment of the globally recognized ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems (QMS) certification signaling a profound institutional shift from an enforcement-driven perception to a service-oriented, world-class model.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Head Office was heralded as a moment of "institutional identity, and national confidence". ZIMRA Board Chairman, Mr. A. Mandiwanza, delivered a strong voice for the necessity of this move, arguing that the Authority could no longer operate as a tenant of the very clients it regulates.
“An institution tasked with enforcing compliance and upholding national revenue integrity cannot operate from a position that symbolically undermines its authority,” Mandiwanza stated unequivocally. “Owning our Head Office is therefore about governance, integrity, and public confidence”.
The new facility is designed to be a "future-proof, eco-friendly" structure, incorporating energy efficiency and modern design must-haves, as well as being digitally enabled for next-generation systems. It is envisioned to serve taxpayers, empower business, and enhance the State's capacity to mobilize revenue, which Mr. Mandiwanza termed "the lifeblood of national development".
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, was the Guest of Honour, underscoring the national significance of the project.
The physical construction was paired with an equally important systemic achievement: the official attainment of the ISO 9001:2015 QMS certification. This certification is a globally recognised benchmark for quality, efficiency, and continual improvement.
Mr. Mandiwanza expressed immense pride in the achievement, announcing a major continental recognition: “ZIMRA has become only the 4th Revenue Authority in Africa to achieve the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification”.
The certification, formally handed over by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), provides assurance to stakeholders and taxpayers that ZIMRA’s processes meet international standards and was independently assessed and confirmed to be delivering "efficient, predictable and world-class services".
Vice Board Chairman, Mrs. J. Matambo, added her voice in the closing remarks, framing the ISO QMS certification as a "global recognition of our commitment to excellence, discipline and continuous improvement".
However, the Chairman cautioned against complacency. “ISO QMS certification is not a destination, it is a foundation,” Mandiwanza asserted, explaining that it commits the Authority to sustained excellence through continual improvement and periodic re-certification.
The Authority is currently focused on three core pillars in its transformation journey:
- Digitalization for efficiency and transparency.
- Governance and Integrity for accountability.
- Taxpayer Education for compliance and trust.
Both the physical and systemic achievements celebrated today reinforce these pillars. The new Head Office will provide a "modern, fit-for-purpose environment," while the ISO certification "validates our systems, processes, and culture at the highest international standard".
Mrs. Matambo concluded the joint ceremony with a vote of thanks, encapsulating the sentiment of the day: “These milestones are a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we move forward with unity of purpose and a shared vision”.
The concurrent celebrations sent a clear and unified message to the world: ZIMRA is modernizing, reforming, and positioning itself as a solid and excellence-oriented institution, ready to lead with distinction and integrity.
