Govt targets 50km upgrade on Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road

The Government is targeting the rehabilitation of another 50 kilometres of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway during the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament, despite the project falling behind its original completion schedule.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the target in his State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, as he outlined a broader programme to upgrade major roads linking the country’s economic and tourism centres.

The 440-kilometre Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway is one of the country’s key trade and tourism corridors, linking Zimbabwe to Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

The rehabilitation project was launched in July 2025 under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase Two, with Government initially setting a 10-month completion target. Five contractors were initially engaged before three more were added later to accelerate work on the remaining sections.

The contractors include Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources, Tensor Systems, Asphalt Products, Bitumen World and Linash Construction. Each was allocated sections of the highway.

However, progress has been slow and uneven.

By April 2026, more than 57 kilometres had been opened to traffic, according to the Transport and Infrastructural Development Ministry. By June, the figure had risen to 59.9 kilometres.

Mnangagwa said the Government would now target 50 kilometres of the highway during the current parliamentary session.

“The following roadworks are targeted during the 4th Session of the 10th Parliament- completion of the Harare-Beitbridge Road, 30 kilometres of the Harare-Kanyemba highway, 30 kilometres of the Harare-Nyamapanda highway, 50 kilometres of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, 20 kilometres of the Harare-Chirundu highway and 40 kilometres of the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road,” he said.

The President said the road programme was intended to improve connectivity between communities and economic centres and facilitate the movement of people and goods.

Government also plans to improve traffic movement in major urban centres through the construction and completion of interchanges.

“Government aims to complete the Mabvuku Interchange project, along with other interchanges designed to facilitate efficient movement along strategic traffic nodes,” Mnangagwa said.

The infrastructure programme extends beyond roads, with Government also planning further investment in airports.

Mnangagwa said Masvingo Airport had been refurbished, while the upgrade of Kariba Airport was scheduled for the Fourth Session.

He said two additional international airlines were expected to begin flying into Zimbabwe in 2027.

“Cargo facilities will be expanded at the Victoria Falls and J. M. Nkomo International Airports. I have also directed that all requisite ancillary services be modernised and availed for airlines servicing our routes,” Mnangagwa said.

The railway sector is also expected to receive attention, with Government continuing with rehabilitation and expansion projects.

Mnangagwa said new and refurbished wagons had recently been acquired for the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

In April, Zimbabwe and Zambia signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of a 311-kilometre railway link between Kafue and Lion’s Den.

Government is also rehabilitating the 614-kilometre railway line between Chicualacuala and Plumtree, which Mnangagwa said was expected to be completed by August 2027.

The infrastructure programme comes as Government seeks to improve transport networks and support economic activity through investment in roads, railways and aviation infrastructure.

“Together, from Zambezi to Limpopo, Plumtree to Chirundu, we are building our motherland and transforming the quality of life of communities,” Mnangagwa said.

Source: Govt targets 50km upgrade on Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road — CITEZW

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