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Golden Sibanda
Senior Business Reporter
Kanyemba Border Post is presently on the cusp of becoming a major trade route to the continent after Government completed constructing a landing bay that will allow a large boat to ferry heavy cargo and haulage trucks across the Zambezi River.
Kanyemba is a small border village at the northernmost tip of Zimbabwe in Mbire District, Mashonaland Central. It forms a boundary corner with Zambia and Mozambique.
Mbire Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Claudius Majaya told The Sunday Mail Business, following a visit to the area, that the landing bay had been completed and the country was now waiting for Zambia to provide the pontoon (ferry boat).
Trade across the Zambezi largely remains informal and mostly involves locals.
“We are only waiting for the pontoon to be delivered. The pontoon is like a big boat that will dock at the landing bay and about three 30-tonne trucks will be loaded (to and from) on the pontoon and transported across Zambezi.
“This one, as Government officials are saying, is just a temporary measure to promote trade, while issues of the Y-Bridge are being finalised, which include the feasibility studies they have started and the bridge location,” he said.
It is believed that the temporary measures will mostly facilitate movement between Zimbabwe and Zambia since the former does not share a water boundary with Mozambique.
The Y-Bridge will link Zimbabwe with both Zambia and Mozambique, and promote trade between the three countries, as well as with the rest of Africa.
Planning for the bridge is reportedly underway.
Mr Majaya said: “We are talking of a very big project. People believe work to have started when they see workmen on the ground, but what has been happening is that there is a lot of research happening behind the scenes in Government offices.
“We expect that, (bridge construction) to start soon once all research has been done as well as funding is secured. A lot of money is needed and a lot of discussions should take place between three countries.”
Kanyemba, which is strategically located, is being primed as a regional logistical hub.
It also has huge tourism potential.
Government plans to accord it town status by 2023 in line with Government’s ambitious plan to modernise the area.
Experts say once the envisaged supporting infrastructure is put in place, Kanyemba would cut short the distance to Central Africa by as much as 650 kilometres compared to Chirundu and Kariba routes.
Zambia is Zimbabwe’s second-largest trading partner after South Africa.
Overall, in 2018, the country’s imports and exports with the continent stood at US$3,1 billion and US$2,6 billion, respectively.
Investors
Prospective investors are reportedly waiting on the wings and strategically positioning themselves to benefit as first movers.
There is heightened interest in holiday homes, education, fuel services and property development.
Authorities are considering establishing air service facilities, water and electricity.
Investment has also been generated in recreational infrastructure such as giant golf courses and related tour services.
“Probably the reason why major interest is on Kanyemba is that there are three countries: Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A lot is happening; there is a lot of business taking place across the border.
“This is because, as we speak, on the Zambian side, Luangwa has already been declared a town and across in Mozambique, Zumbo has also been declared a town, but suffice to say that we have different standards,” said Mr Majaya.
Speaking during a recent tour of the planned new town, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the area needed investors, given the many opportunities such as solar power, irrigation and tourism.
Creating easy accessibility between the three countries will provide a huge market and platform to grow trade.
A land-use plan for areas has already been developed.
A layout plan for Kanyemba will also be developed before the area is accorded town status in the next three years.
Mbire RDC plans to use Kanyemba as the springboard to market the whole district from Mahuwe, about 245 kilometres to Kanyemba, and attract investment into other business centres.
For instance, Angwa Bridge — being the route to world heritage sites like Mana Pools, Chewore and Kanyemba — is strategically positioned as an investment destination for all forms of support services visitors require.
More investment opportunities are expected from Mushumbi Pools Growth Point, where the Mbire RDC is already providing prime land for development of residential stands and other critical infrastructure.
During his visit, VP Chiwenga asked Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza to ensure the completion of tarring of the Mahuhwe-Kanyemba Road.
Already, the 5,5 kilometres from Mahuwe have been completed and funds have been earmarked for a further 40km to Angwa Bridge.
“The indication we have made to Government is that we want to confer Kanyemba with town status in 2023. So, the assurance is that in four years’ time, that was last year, the tarred road should be hitting Kanyemba,” said Mr Majaya.
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