Online Reporter
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE Government has set a target to deliver at least 35 000 complete housing units in Manicaland under its private sector led development agenda, a move aimed at providing dignified living conditions for citizens while advancing Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The Housing Development Strategy emphasizes affordability, sustainability, and inclusivity, with significant allocations in the 2026 national budget to support key infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer systems, and electricity.
Director of Economic Affairs and Investment Promotion for Manicaland, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, said the initiative forms part of a broader national goal to deliver one million housing units by 2030.
This builds on progress made under NDS1 (2021–2025), which achieved a 71 percent completion rate, delivering 156 000 units against a target of 220 000.
Mr Rubaya explained that the NDS2 housing programme is central to Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an upper middle income society by 2030.
He stressed that Government will ensure citizens have access to well planned and serviced urban and rural areas, thereby driving both dignified living standards and economic growth.
The strategy places strong emphasis on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), with developers and financial institutions expected to play a leading role, while Government facilitates land and infrastructure development.
To strengthen access to housing finance, the Housing Guarantee Fund and National Housing Fund will be recapitalised, acting as guarantors for mortgage facilities and supporting construction for low and middle income households.
Mr Rubaya added that collaboration with private sector stakeholders — including insurance, pension funds, financial institutions, and the Diaspora — will be deepened to establish robust financing frameworks, incentive structures, and partnership models that promote sustainable housing delivery.
Mobilising long term capital and leveraging innovative financial instruments will be key to accelerating targeted housing projects under NDS2.
Through the Public Service Pension Fund, Government also plans to expand civil servants’ housing facilities, targeting the delivery of 1 200 units during the strategy period.
“Private sector led housing provision, focusing on PPPs, will leverage resources for on site and off site infrastructure such as roads, water, and sewage systems, facilitating large scale development,” said Mr Rubaya.
He noted that gated or cluster housing models are gaining popularity in Manicaland’s towns, while densification through multi layered residential complexes will drive urban renewal and Growth Point development.
Government will also prioritise the construction of flats in rural areas to curb rural urban migration, setting modern housing standards and encouraging Diaspora investment. Incentives will be offered to stimulate investment in rural areas and growth points.
“The Government will promote modern, cost effective rural housing using standardised designs to ensure quality, durability, and sustainability, working closely with rural district councils and community based organisations,” said Mr Rubaya.
Manicaland’s population was 2 037 703 as of the 2022 census, comprising 965 350 males (47,4 percent) and 1 072 353 females (52 percent).
The population grew at an annual rate of 1,5 percent between 2012 and 2022.
The province has 502 929 households, growing at 1,5 per annum, translating to 7 500 new households annually and 35 000 over five years. With 3 500 villages, achieving two houses per village could meet the annual target, indicating vast potential for the province to surpass the target.
While NDS1 saw over 700 000 affordable housing units delivered, unserviced informal settlements persisted in Manicaland and nationwide, highlighting ongoing housing challenges.
These challenges were exacerbated by rapid urbanisation, in the face of public sector investment programme (PSIP) budgetary constraints, poor oversight by respective local authorities and enforcement of private developer land-servicing obligations in respect of provision of on-site and off-site infrastructure.
A multi-faceted approach to addressing the challenges that embraces public and private investments, innovative financing, spatial planning and enforcement of regulatory frameworks should be pursued during NDS 2.
The Government will regularise and upgrade 30 informal settlements across provinces, providing critical infrastructure like water, sanitation, electricity, roads, and social facilities.
However, this will only occur on land suitable for habitation, excluding wetlands and areas reserved for public amenities.
The user-pay principle will guide funding, coordinated by Government.
Under NDS 2, local authorities will lead planning, land servicing, and enforcement of building standards to prevent unplanned settlements and ensure sustainable urban development.
Government will review housing policies to correct anomalies, compelling local authorities to adhere to masterplans and by-laws, supporting housing investments and promoting well-planned settlements.
