Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu
Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE will next year embark on a US$3 billion sweeping rehabilitation and upgrading programme covering four key national highways, in a major infrastructure drive expected to modernise the country’s transport network and ease regional trade movement.
According to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), road projects will be undertaken between 2026 and 2030, mostly through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Government says priority will initially be placed on two of the most strategic trade routes – the Harare-Chirundu Highway, which links Zimbabwe with Zambia and the rest of the SADC northbound corridor, and the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which connects South Africa to tourism and export routes in the north-west.
According to the Government’s mid-term development programme, the Harare–Chirundu corridor will undergo full rehabilitation, including new toll plazas and weighbridges, at an estimated cost of US$900 million under a PPP running between 2026 and 2027.
“Rehabilitation and upgrade of the Harare-Chirundu highway, including the installation of toll plazas with weighbridges, at an estimated cost of US$900 million, will commence,” reads the document.
“The project will be implemented through public-private-partnership arrangements over the period 2026-2027.
“The road rehabilitation will enhance road safety, reduce transport bottlenecks and improve connectivity for the key regional trade corridor.”
Authorities say the route is one of Zimbabwe’s busiest commercial highways, handling regional cargo flows to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.
The upgrade is expected to enhance safety, address congestion and improve the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s trade logistics.
A second flagship project will see the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway at a cost of US$1,2 billion between 2026 and 2030, also through a PPP model.
“Rehabilitation and upgrade of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway including toll plazas with weighbridges will be implemented over the period 2026-2030 at a cost of US$1,2 billion through a public private partnership,” reads the NDS2.
Besides facilitating access to major tourism destinations, the corridor carries a large portion of freight from South Africa to central and northern Zimbabwe.
Upgrading the route is expected to boost tourist arrivals, strengthen cross-border trade and reduce transport delays.
The authorities have also announced timelines for several other nationally important corridors.
The rehabilitation of the Harare-Nyamapanda route will cost US$262 million and is scheduled for completion by 2029.
The project includes the modernisation of the Nyamapanda Border Post and is expected to streamline movement to Mozambique and boost export traffic along the eastern corridor.
Similarly, work on the Gweru-Zvishavane-Rutenga-Boli-Sango road will be implemented at a cost of US$450 million, with completion targeted for 2030.
The upgraded route is intended to improve access to the Lowveld and create a more reliable link towards northern Mozambique.
The Harare-Kanyemba corridor is also set for major improvements under a US$384 million public-private partnership scheduled for completion in 2029.
The project includes the refurbishment of the Kanyemba Border Post and is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s road connectivity to Zambia and southern Tanzania.
In addition, the NDS2 infrastructure brief confirms ongoing dualisation and upgrading works on key highways.
The Harare-Chegutu segment of the Harare-Bulawayo Road (70km) is being widened at a cost of US$105 million, while the Harare-Marondera section of the Harare-Mutare Road (65km) is being upgraded for US$95 million.
Construction has also begun on the long-planned 240km Kwekwe-Lupane Highway, which is designed to shorten the Harare-Victoria Falls journey by about 200 kilometres and reduce transport costs for farmers and businesses in Nkayi and Lupane.
The 159km Bulawayo-Nkayi Highway and the 31,2km Christmas Pass By-Pass in Mutare are also progressing, with the Mutare by-pass expected to divert heavy vehicles away from the city centre and ease chronic congestion.
Meanwhile, the Mabvuku Interchange on Harare’s eastern outskirts is advancing steadily and is set for completion in 2026.
Authorities say the planned works represent one of the most ambitious national infrastructure upgrades since independence.
