Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has secured funding to mobilise contractors back to site for the rehabilitation and widening of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, ending months of uncertainty that had stalled progress in the critical infrastructure project.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, revealed the breakthrough in the National Assembly, assuring the nation that an accelerated pace of works will be witnessed going into August.
The project, which started in July 2025, had faced funding constraints that slowed down progress along the vital trade and tourism corridor.
“We have a 440km road from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. I am happy that this is one of the roads that we have earmarked and now we have funding to continue the works,” he said.
“So, I want to say, watch the space and as we move towards August, you will see massive rehabilitation again. Those contractors will be mobilised again to their various sections,” said Minister Mhona.
As of 30 July 2026, a total of 73,4 kilometres of the road had been surfaced and opened to traffic, with eight contractors working across different lots.
Bitumen World leads the pack with 20,9 kilometres completed under legacy works on the Hwange section, followed by Syvern Investment with 13,9 kilometres, Tensor Systems has completed 10,6 kilometres, and Masimba Holdings with 10,3 kilometres.
Fossil Contracting has completed 6,2 kilometres, Linash Construction 6,1 kilometres, and Bitumen Resources 5,4 kilometres, while Asphalt Products and Bitumen World on lots six and seven are yet to record any progress.
With a balance of 367 kilometres still remaining, the Government is optimistic that the fresh injection of funds will significantly reduce this backlog and accelerate the overall completion timeline.
Minister Mhona acknowledged the funding gap that had hampered the project, saying the traditional US$150 million annual budget allocation for national roads was insufficient for a project of this magnitude.
He explained that the ministry was forced to think outside the box to raise additional resources, which has now borne fruit.
“We find that in this august House, this particular year, you gave us the equivalent of US$150 million to do our roads throughout the entire country. If we direct all this funding to this road alone, it will still be inadequate. It, therefore, calls for the ministry to think outside the box so that we also raise additional funding,” he said.
The Government is now advocating for alternative funding models, including Public-Private Partnerships and loan facilities, to ensure the full completion of this strategic corridor.
Minister Mhona also provided context on the project’s phased approach, explaining that the initial Public-Private Partnership arrangement covered nearly 750 kilometres if one includes the Beitbridge route, but the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls stretch required urgent intervention due to its sorry state.
Eight contractors were each assigned about 50 kilometres, with some detours deliberately diverted away from the main road to allow seamless construction.
He noted that just two and a half weeks ago, nine kilometres were opened to traffic.
While conceding that the project had stalled, Minister Mhona urged the nation to watch the space, promising that massive rehabilitation would resume and an accelerated pace would be evident as contractors return to their various sections.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is a key strategic route linking Zimbabwe’s second-largest city to its premier tourism destination and regional markets in Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.
Its full rehabilitation is expected to enhance tourism, reduce transport costs, improve road safety, and boost trade along the corridor.
With funding now secured and contractors set to mobilise, the Government remains confident that the project will gather momentum, bringing the long-awaited relief to motorists and businesses that depend on this vital artery.
“This is something that I say yes to. I do concur that the project had stalled, but you will see an accelerated pace going forward,” Minister Mhona said.
