Modernising the Highway: How ZINARA’s E-Tag System is Simplifying Tolling for Zimbabwean Motorists

Since its official launch, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration’s (ZINARA) electronic toll payment solution, the e-tag system has rapidly transformed from a high-tech pilot project into a fully operational network. Designed to modernise toll collection, reduce agonising highway congestion, and curb revenue leakages, the system is fundamentally redefining how road users navigate Zimbabwe’s major highways.

The e-tag solution relies on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to facilitate seamless, cashless payments. Instead of stopping to count physical cash or wait for a cashier to swipe a card, motorists equipped with an e-tag can coast through designated express lanes. The system automatically scans the tag fixed to the vehicle and processes an instant deduction from a prepaid account, triggering the boom gate to lift without forcing the vehicle to a complete halt.

As of December 2025, ZINARA’s E-tag system gained traction, surpassing over 30 000 registered vehicles.

Speaking in an interview with Technomag, ZINARA’s Revenue Operations Director, Patience Shuro added that the goal is to transition highways into a world-class network, and moving from traditional tollgates to modernised toll plazas is a massive step in that direction.

For drivers across Zimbabwe, the transition to e-tags yields immediate, practical benefits that extend far beyond simply beating the queues:

• Substantial Time Savings: By routing through ZINARA’s dedicated Express Lanes, drivers bypass traditional, slow-moving queues, completely removing the frustration of waiting for change or manual receipt printing.
• Cashless Convenience: In an economy where managing physical cash can be cumbersome, the e-tag eliminates the daily hassle of scrambling for exact change at every tollgate.
• Fuel Efficiency and Lower Emissions: Constantly idling in stop-and-go highway traffic burns unnecessary fuel and increases vehicle wear and tear. Seamlessly cruising through a toll plaza optimizes fuel consumption and reduces harmful emissions.
• Streamlined Account Management: For corporate fleets and everyday commuters alike, the digital backbone of the e-tag system managed through partners like ICEcash provides comprehensive online banking tools. Users can track their exact toll history, review expenditures, and generate precise expense reports for easier budgeting.

What began as an ambitious infrastructure plan has scaled significantly. ZINARA’s electronic tolling facilities are now fully operational across 23 of the nation’s 29 tollgates, pulling Zimbabwe closer to its National Development Strategy (NDS) goals of world-class infrastructure.

Major corporate entities and state bodies have aggressively embraced the change, companies like https://delta.co.zw/ have actively transitioned hundreds of their logistics and corporate vehicles onto the platform, contributing to ZINARA’s broader modernization push.

The system has expanded beyond commercial fleets.

ZINARA has also extended express lane access to government-exempted vehicles including Members of Parliament while reinforcing that these express lanes remain completely open to any everyday motorist who registers for an e-tag.

How to Get Your ZINARA E-Tag

Getting onboard the e-tolling system is straightforward and open to individual motorists, private companies, and government institutions alike. ZINARA cards and e-tags can be obtained through the following steps:

1. Account Registration: To back your e-tag with a financial account, you can visit a local ZINARA office or register an individual account online via the ICEcash platform. For mobile-centric users, registration can even be linked directly via digital wallets or mobile money setups.
2. Submit KYC Documents: For Personal Accounts: Bring or upload a copy of your National ID, vehicle registration book, and proof of residence.
   o For Corporate/Fleet Accounts: Companies must submit an application letter from an authorised signatory, a signed mandate form, company registration papers (such as the CR14 and Certificate of Incorporation), and ID copies for the directors.
3. Tag Collection and Funding: Once your account is active, you can collect your e-tag or pre-paid tolling card from your nearest ZINARA Licensing Office or active toll plazas across the country (with the exception of the Plumtree-Mutare route).

Motorists can conveniently load funds into their accounts via online banking portals or the ICEcash USSD code (*676# for Econet users).

As ZINARA pushes forward with the multi-million dollar rehabilitation of flagship highways like the Beitbridge–Bulawayo–Victoria Falls route, the deployment of e-plazas signals a new dawn for Zimbabwean transit.

For motorists ready to ditch the queues and embrace a world-class travel experience, the ZINARA e-tag is the smartest way to navigate the open road.