Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
Senior Reporter
THE refurbishment of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway is expected to create more than 2 000 jobs for locals, with the project set for completion within 10 months to restore seamless domestic and regional transport and logistics movement.
The initiative falls under the National Roads Rehabilitation Programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
A majority of the workforce is expected to come from local communities along the 435km road stretch, in keeping with the Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda.
According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, five reputable contractors have been awarded tenders to undertake the massive project.
These include Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction, Syvern Investments, Bitumen Resources, and Tensor Systems.
The companies are understood to have mobilised to site and work is underway.
The ministry recently indicated that Fossil Contracting (Lot 1) has cleared a 4km detour from the 48.6km peg; Masimba Construction (Lot 2) has cleared 5km between the 85km and 90km pegs; Syvern Investments (Lot 3) has cleared 5km between the 99.6km and 104km pegs. Bitumen Resources (Lot 4) has cleared 4.2km from the 201.6km peg towards the 191km peg, and Tensor Systems (Lot 5) has cleared 5km between the 201.6km and 211.6km pegs.
“This strategic infrastructure project is expected to create over 2 000 jobs and significantly improve regional connectivity, benefiting tourism and cross-border trade,” said ministry spokesperson Ms Judith Nhau in a recent update.
She said the contractors were operating under strict terms, including a 10-month completion timeline, adherence to Sadc road design standards, local employment and procurement requirements and environmental compliance monitored by the Environmental Management Agency.
Each contractor will be responsible for a 50km stretch of road, starting from the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue in the Bulawayo city centre.
Ms Nhau said the Government has also put in place incentives for early completion, as well as penalties for delays. She noted that the upgrade reflects Government’s commitment to modernise Zimbabwe’s road network, supporting economic growth, and ensuring reliable travel for both motorists and businesses.
“The ministry will provide regular progress updates through official channels and reminds motorists to exercise caution in construction zones,” she said.
“These reputable companies were selected through a rigorous and transparent tender process, in full compliance with national procurement regulations”.
Ms Nhau said the remaining three contractors would be announced once the retendering process is complete. The ministry has obtained Special Procurement Oversight Committee (SPOC) approval from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) to proceed with the awards.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road is one of the country’s key national highways and a vital north-south regional corridor, linking Zimbabwe to Zambia, the DRC, Angola, Botswana and Namibia. It serves thousands of domestic travellers and international tourists each year.
The road is also critical for the movement of goods between southern Zimbabwe and the north-western regions, including the Hwange coalfields and surrounding mining and agricultural areas.
However, the highway has become notorious for its potholes, eroded shoulders and narrow lanes, prompting persistent calls from residents, tourism operators and cross-border transporters for urgent repairs.
The route, which connects Bulawayo to the country’s premier tourism hub, Victoria Falls, has remained in a state of disrepair for years, posing serious safety risks to motorists and dampening economic activity in Matabeleland North Province.
Several other major highways across the country have also been rehabilitated or are undergoing rehabilitation, including the Harare–Beitbridge Highway and the Kwekwe–Gokwe Road.
