Online Reporter
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro, Zimpaperas Business Hub
THE Government increased funding for rural road development in the first half of this year, with a significant portion of the expenditure channelled through the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida).
Presenting the 2025 Mid-Term Budget Review on Thursday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, outlined progress and future plans aimed at improving rural connectivity and stimulating economic activity in marginalised areas across the country.
“The Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) rehabilitated and upgraded various road projects across the country,” Minister Ncube said, emphasising the importance of rural roads in linking agricultural producers to markets and facilitating service delivery.
To boost Rida’s operational capacity, the Government secured a US$75 million loan for the procurement of critical road construction equipment. Additional financial support included ZiG1,8 billion from the national budget and ZiG26,7 million from the Road Fund, disbursed by the Zimbabwe National Road Administration.
Minister Ncube confirmed that most of the equipment has already been delivered and deployed.
This support has translated into tangible outcomes on the ground. According to updates in the mid-term budget review, Rida completed 8 453 kilometres (km) of grading, 35km of gravelling and spot dumping, and constructed 439 drainage structures in the first six months of the year. Additionally, 1 547km of pothole patching was carried out — surpassing the initial target of 600km by more than 100 percent.
Economist Gladys Shumbambiri-Mutsopotsi praised the programme’s progress, stating, “Rural roads are the backbone of our economy. For smallholder farmers and rural entrepreneurs, road access means the difference between commercial viability and stagnation.”
The budget review also highlighted feeder road developments in several provinces. In Manicaland Province, for example, the Chadzire Bridge in Buhera saw the construction of pier “A” and top slab casting, while the Samhutsa–Ngaone Road in Chipinge was re-gravelled over a stretch of 2,6km.
In Mashonaland East’s Mudzi District, the Kambanje Bridge saw significant progress on the construction of approaches “A” and “B”.
Other high-impact projects included the resurfacing of Imara Road in Masvingo (5km tacked and sealed) and 9km of work on the Rosa–Kakora–Belrock Road in Mazowe, including asphalt overlay and priming.
Midlands Province also recorded notable progress, with foundational works completed on the Pohwe Bridge in Gokwe South and the Mabori Bridge in Mberengwa.
These developments align with the Government’s rural industrialisation agenda, which seeks to address challenges stemming from years of underinvestment in infrastructure and marginalisation of rural communities.
Economist Tinevimbo Shava noted that prioritising feeder roads is a strategic move.
“These are not vanity projects. They are economic arteries that drive commerce in low-income areas. When you open a rural road, you open trade, mobility, and access to public services. The pace of work is encouraging, but we need to maintain the quality. Without proper maintenance frameworks, we risk reverting to square one in a few rainy seasons,” he said.
The mid-term review flagged some concerns, noting that certain projects — such as resealing and overlay — remain stuck at the procurement stage. Of the 8km planned for such works, none had been completed by midyear.
“The country’s rural roads programme includes opening up new arteries in under-served areas and other centres of economic activity,” Minister Ncube said.
He said that the programme aligns with Vision 2030, which targets upper-middle- income status within the next five years.
Verge clearing of 1 891km out of the 1 000km planned and drain construction of 1 979km out of the 1 200km targeted were also highlighted as over-achievements — signs of improved implementation capacity, according to the ministry.
Looking ahead, the 2025 budget shows that the Government plans to maintain strong support for gravel road rehabilitation to continue improving accessibility across all provinces.
Treasury pledged that resources would be earmarked to ensure communities remain connected to markets and essential services.
Economist Ms Shumbambiri-Mutsopotsi said long-term success would require better project sequencing, performance-based contractor engagement, and citizen involvement.
“We cannot afford to see substandard rural roads. What we are building now must serve beyond this generation,” she said.
