Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT will next year prioritise the completion of high-impact infrastructure projects, including the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway and the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, to accelerate economic growth.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has submitted a ZiG27,96 billion (approximately US$1 billion) funding bid for 2027.
This represents an increase of nearly three times the ZiG9,55 billion allocated to the ministry this year, as authorities seek to expedite road, rail and airport projects nationwide.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona stated that the 2027 targets are aligned with modernisation commitments made by President Mnangagwa during his State of the Nation Address on 29 September 2026.
“Our 2027 priorities are shaped by the commitments made by His Excellency the President in the State of the Nation Address on September 29, 2026, at the opening of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament,” Minister Mhona said during the 2027 Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo at the weekend.
“The Ministry’s bids for 2027 (excluding employment costs) stand at ZiG27,96 billion against an allocation of ZiG9,55 billion.”
He noted that the ministry is actively engaging Treasury to ensure the timely release of capital funds, to prevent delayed payments to contractors and interruptions at construction sites.
The parliamentary portfolio committee on transport has previously raised concerns over fiscal delays during nationwide oversight visits. Minister Mhona welcomed the parliamentary oversight, stating: “The committee’s findings and recommendations are a valuable contribution to our shared goal of transforming Zimbabwe’s transport and infrastructure sector.”
Beyond the primary arterial highways, the 2027 road development portfolio includes the rehabilitation of the Harare-Kanyemba, Harare-Chirundu, Harare-Nyamapanda, and Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane roads.
Urban infrastructure upgrades will see the acceleration of the Jaggers-Msasa and Mabvuku interchanges alongside the construction of the Harare ring road.
In the rail sector, the ministry plans to intensify the recapitalisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). The programme targets the rehabilitation of the 614km Chicualacuala-Plumtree track, the acquisition of new locomotives, and a follow-up on the Zimbabwe-Zambia memorandum of understanding for the 311km Kafue-Lion’s Den railway link.
Aviation plans focus on upgrading Kariba, Victoria Falls, and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International airports, with a particular emphasis on boosting cargo-handling capacities.
To offset the fiscal constraints, Minister Mhona revealed that the state will explore alternative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships (PPPs) and collaborations with domestic pension funds.
The ministry is also proposing new regulatory legislation, including the Road Accident Fund Bill and the National Roads Authority Bill.
