Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
IN 2015, the world watched with a mixture of awe and scepticism as Egypt announced the New Administrative Capital outside of its traditional capital city, Cairo.
It was described by many as an architectural fever dream — a multi-billion-dollar bet on a brand-new city rising from the unforgiving Saharan sands.
Critics called it overly ambitious, yet today, a decade later, the NAC is a tangible reality. Ministries have migrated, towers pierce the skyline and the desert has been tamed by concrete and vision.
For Zimbabwe, a similar narrative of scepticism turning into architectural and economic reality is unfolding.
When President Mnangagwa introduced Vision 2030 shortly after taking office in 2017, aiming for an upper-middle-income Society, detractors dismissed it as political rhetoric.
As we stand in the opening month of 2026, the narrative of “scepticism” that greeted the Second Republic in 2017 has been definitively overtaken by a narrative of “results.” The evidence on the ground suggests that Zimbabwe is not just dreaming; it is delivering.
With the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) having provided a robust launch pad, the nation now transitions into NDS2 with a portfolio of “signature projects” that prove the path to 2030 is not only possible but well underway. Zimbabwe is no longer just dreaming of 2030; it is living the evidence of its feasibility.
Infrastructure: The Arteries of a New Economy
The Second Republic has anchored its development on the mantra that “infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth.”
The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, once a symbol of neglect, has become a testament to local engineering prowess. Of the 585km stretch, a staggering 548km have been completed and opened to traffic, with the final 37km slated for completion in the first quarter of 2026.
Complementing the success of the North-South corridor, the Second Republic has shifted its focus toward the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, another critical artery for regional trade and tourism.
Recognising that the road had exceeded its design life, the Government has deployed eight contractors, including local giants like Bitumen World and Masimba Construction, to undertake a massive reconstruction.
As of January 2026, significant milestones have been achieved under the “kilometre-by-kilometre” approach.
Several 5km stretches, particularly in the Insuza and Umguza areas, have already surfaced and reopened to traffic, providing immediate relief to motorists.
Contractors are currently working on deep structural stabilisation, with completion dates for various lots staggered throughout 2026.
The full rehabilitation of this 435km tourism corridor is expected to be finalised by mid-2026, creating a seamless link from the South African border to the Kazungula Bridge.
By prioritising this route, the administration is not just repairing a road; it is cementing Zimbabwe’s position as a regional logistics hub and ensuring that the tourism sector — a key pillar of Vision 2030 — is supported by world-class infrastructure. Further north, the new, magnificent Parliament Building in Mount Hampden stands as a signature project, anchoring the development of a new capital city hub, much like Egypt’s NAC.
Combined with the commissioning of the Trabablas Interchange and aviation upgrades at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Zimbabwe is rapidly improving its ease of doing business by enhancing connectivity and trade logistics.
Agriculture: a revolution in food security
Vision 2030 rests heavily on the shoulders of the farmer. Through climate-smart agriculture, specifically the Pfumvudza/Intwasa model, the Government has insulated the nation against the vagaries of climate change. The 2025 tobacco season shattered records, with over 352 million kilogrammes sold, generating a historic $1,2 billion in revenue.
Beyond cash crops, the Government has embraced the Fourth Industrial Revolution by launching AI-powered grain silos in Kwekwe and Mutare.
These facilities are set to drastically reduce post-harvest losses, ensuring that national food reserves are managed with 21st-century precision.
Industrial powerhouse: Energy and Mining
No nation can achieve middle-income status without a stable power grid. The full commissioning of Units 7 and 8 at Hwange Thermal Power Station, adding 600MW to the grid, has stabilised industrial production.
Looking ahead, the innovative 600MW floating solar plant on Lake Kariba signals a shift toward a green, sustainable energy future. In the mining sector, investment has surged, particularly in lithium and iron ore. The Manhize Steel Company and the Mapinga Mines-to-Energy Industrial Park underscore a sector that is no longer just about extraction, but about value addition and industrialisation.
Social Equity: Leaving no one behind
Perhaps the most significant metric of Vision 2030 is its inclusivity, as President Mnangagwa’s administration has translated high-level vision into tangible, life-changing action for the ordinary citizen.
Central to this mission is the strategic empowerment of the younger generation, which has seen the launch of the US$2 million Presidential Youth Empowerment Revolving Fund.
This is further bolstered by the US$5 million Presidential Youth Mining Equipment Scheme, an initiative designed to transition young people from subsistence activities into the mainstream economy, ensuring they are active participants in the nation’s industrialisation.
Furthermore, the Second Republic has made significant strides in ensuring universal water access, a cornerstone of public health and rural development.
Through the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, the Government has already provided potable, reliable water to over 700 villages.
This is merely the beginning of a massive logistical undertaking that aims to reach all 35 000 villages nationwide, effectively ending decades of water insecurity and “leaving no place behind” in the quest for modernisation. In a landmark move for economic stability and individual wealth creation, the administration has also focused on securing land rights for the backbone of the economy: the farmers.
By introducing title deeds, the Government has fulfilled the promise of land reform legitimacy, transforming land from a mere revolutionary symbol into a bankable, liquid asset.
This move allows farmers to access credit and invest in modern technology, effectively turning every farm into a viable business unit and securing the foundation of Zimbabwe’s upper-middle-income future.
The verdict
The milestones of 2025 — from fiscal stability and the scrapping of “albatross” bureaucratic fees to massive dam projects like Gwayi-Shangani provide a solid foundation for future advancement.
The scepticism of 2017 has been largely silenced by the roar of yellow machines on the roads and the sight of record-breaking harvests. Zimbabwe is no longer just on a journey; it is on a fast track.
Today, in January 2026, the nation officially transitions from the foundations of NDS1 into the high-octane implementation of NDS2.
This new phase is not a mere continuation, but a consolidation of a decade’s worth of labour, turning the once-distant “Vision 2030” into a visible horizon.
The transition is marked by a shift from construction to commissioning. With the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway now effectively a completed artery of regional trade and the Trabablas Interchange functioning as a landmark of urban renewal, the focus in 2026 shifts to the Harare-Chirundu and Bulawayo-Victoria Falls corridors.
