City of Harare proposes US$818.3 million budget for 2027

The City of Harare has tabled a US$818.3 million budget for 2027 anchored on revenue mobilisation and infrastructure renewal.

The estimates were presented to council on Thursday by Finance and Development Committee chairperson, Councillor Jubilation Shoko.

The proposed envelope provides for recurrent expenditure of US$504.6 million and capital expenditure of US$313.7 million, giving a total of US$818.331 million. Capital spending represents 38.3 per cent of the budget while recurrent spending accounts for 61.7 per cent.

“This allocation reflects the need to sustain day-to-day municipal operations while directing substantial resources towards infrastructure rehabilitation and service delivery improvements,” Cllr Shoko said.

The total allocation is spread across six programmes. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene takes the largest share at US$369.5 million, followed by Social Services at US$146.75 million, Governance and Administration at US$134.72 million, Roads at US$110.34 million, Public Safety and Security at US$55.13 million and Natural Resources Conservation and Management at US$1.891 million.

WASH alone accounts for 45 per cent of the proposed budget, which council says reflects its importance to public health and economic activity.

Of the US$369.5 million for WASH, US$189.9 million is capital and US$179.6 million is recurrent. Water services has been allocated US$246.3 million, or 67 per cent of the programme, wastewater management US$81.1 million, or 22 per cent, and solid waste management US$42.1 million, or 11 per cent.

Priority projects include rehabilitation of water treatment works, replacement of ageing water and sewer mains, smart water meters and improvements to wastewater conveyance and treatment. The Amalinda stream-crossing and associated sewer infrastructure will remain a key priority to strengthen system reliability and safeguard public health, Cllr Shoko said.

Council said smart metering will be accompanied by reliable water supply, accurate customer records and effective billing. Success will be measured by functioning installations, reduced water losses and better revenue collection.

The City is also investing directly in refuse management to complement its partnership with Geo Pomona to ensure 100 per cent collection efficiency.

It will also recapitalise plant and equipment including graders, tippers, backhoe loaders and excavators, with acquisitions phased according to funding and operational readiness.

Performance targets for the year include water production of 520 megalitres per day, a 60 per cent reduction in sewer blockages, full refuse collection and water supply coverage and a 50 per cent reduction in non-revenue water.

“The success of this programme will be measured by improvements in service reliability and the effective use of infrastructure,” Cllr Shoko said.

Governance and Administration has been allocated US$134.7 million, with US$33.7 million for capital and US$101 million for recurrent costs. The programme will support revenue and budget management, corporate services, human resources, ICT systems, ERP integration, planning, valuation, procurement and audit.

Investment in digital systems, Cllr Shoko said, will improve the accuracy of customer and asset records, strengthen financial reporting and support timely decision-making.

Social Services has been allocated US$146.75 million, with US$49.95 million capital and US$96.8 million recurrent. Priorities include clinic and polyclinic improvements, council primary schools, community halls, district offices and Mbare urban renewal.

Proposed maternity improvements at Rujeko, Tariro and Marlborough, together with diagnostic and theatre facilities at Wilkins Hospital, will proceed in line with funding. The City will also upgrade Harare Gardens to transform it into a well-maintained and accessible recreational facility.

Market improvements will focus on sanitation, accessibility and safer trading conditions, while housing and estates initiatives will strengthen property administration and regularisation.

Cllr Shoko said markets provide livelihoods for thousands, but unregulated trading obstructs roads and puts pressure on sanitation. He said the ongoing Operation Chenesa, which has been adopted nationally, and the urban regeneration and decongestion drive with Government, are welcome developments.

“Council will reinforce this mission by providing inclusive, suitable, serviced and accessible trading areas. This, Your Worship, will be an accelerator to the National Vision 2030,” he said.

The Roads programme has US$110.34 million, with US$24.68 million capital and US$85.66 million recurrent. Road maintenance and rehabilitation takes US$82.8 million, or 75 per cent; drainage and storm water US$10.2 million, or 9 per cent, and traffic management US$17.2 million, or 16 per cent.

Works include reconstruction of roads across the city, drainage improvements, works at Rezende Bus Terminus, intersection improvements, solar traffic signals, road markings and signage. Funding will be drawn from city resources and confirmed external allocations.

Public Safety and Security has been allocated US$55.13 million, with US$15 million capital and US$40.13 million recurrent. Emergency services has US$17.39 million, municipal police US$27.23 million and public lighting US$10.5 million.

Priorities include ambulances, fire tenders and water carriers, fire station infrastructure, training facilities and rehabilitation of street and high-mast lighting in markets and transport hubs. Acquisitions will be phased according to funding.

Natural Resources Conservation and Management has US$1.89 million, with US$559,500 capital and US$1.33 million recurrent. Cllr Shoko said Harare, as custodian of the environment that defines the Sunshine City, will invest in wetland protection, urban greening, tree planting under the Green Harare initiative, climate awareness and community recycling.

In line with a Ministry directive requiring at least 2 per cent of the annual budget for disaster preparedness, the City has provided US$16.1 million as a general provision outside direct preparedness already inherent in functions such as drain clearing and emergency services equipment.

The provision will support contingency planning, emergency supplies, transport and logistics, search and rescue, temporary shelter and restoration of essential infrastructure.

Cllr Shoko said the scale of Harare’s infrastructure needs calls for a blend of internally generated resources, devolution funding, approved borrowing and partnerships.

The US$313.7 million capital programme will be funded by own revenues at 31.8 per cent, public-private partnerships at 31.23 per cent, PSIP at 15.27 per cent, loans at 10.5 per cent, devolution at 6.4 per cent, ZINARA at 4.2 per cent and donations at 0.52 per cent.

Internally generated revenue is projected at US$599.5 million. Property tax is the largest source at US$225.2 million, followed by water services at US$127.5 million, refuse collection at US$42 million, wastewater at US$41.3 million, estates at US$36.7 million, housing at US$22.2 million, building inspectorate at US$22.1 million, business licence and health fees at US$21.6 million, town planning fees at US$19.2 million and other fees at US$19.6 million. Other contributors include emergency services US$7.9 million, SMEs US$4.2 million, education fees US$2.8 million, municipal police US$2.6 million, cemetery fees US$2.3 million and welfare US$2 million.

The City says it will strengthen collection through improved billing coverage, updated property records, digital billing, electronic receipting and convenient payment platforms, with customer records reconciled across property, technical and financial systems.