Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
THE Government has completed the rehabilitation and widening of part of the Makuti section, commonly known as “Wafa Wafa”, along the Harare–Chirundu Road, improving traffic flow and safety on one of the country’s most notorious stretches.
The upgraded section now features climbing lanes designed to ease congestion and reduce accidents, particularly for heavy vehicles navigating the steep terrain.
The works were carried out by Japanese firm Dai Nippon Construction, which upgraded the 7,2-kilometre stretch after being awarded the contract in 2024.
The Harare–Chirundu Highway is a critical regional route spanning 352 kilometres and linking Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
Confirming the development, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development said the rehabilitation marked a major milestone on the corridor.
“The Makuti section on the Harare–Chirundu Road has been rehabilitated and widened, now featuring climbing lanes to improve traffic flow and safety,” said the Ministry.
“This formerly infamous ‘Wafa Wafa’ section is rightly earning a new nickname: ‘Life Life Life’.”
The scope of the project, which starts from the Wafa Wafa area in Mashonaland West, included the addition of a climbing lane, improvements to sharp curve sections, and the installation of road drainage facilities and accessory structures to enhance road safety.
Work on the broader US$550 million Harare–Chirundu Highway project resumed in August 2024.
Five contractors – Tensor Systems, Bitumen World, Masimba, Fossil and Exodus and Company – were awarded tenders to upgrade the road by widening and partially dualising it.
Each company was allocated a 67-kilometre stretch.
Beyond the Harare-Chirundu project, Zimbabwe is set to embark this year on a US$3 billion nationwide rehabilitation and upgrading programme covering four key national highways.
The initiative forms part of a major infrastructure drive aimed at modernising the country’s transport network and easing regional trade movement.
According to the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), major road projects will be undertaken between 2026 and 2030, largely through public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Government has said initial priority will be given to two strategic trade routes: the Harare–Chirundu Highway, which links Zimbabwe with Zambia and the wider SADC northbound corridor, and the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which connects South Africa to tourism and export routes in the north-west.
Under the Government’s mid-term development programme, the Harare-Chirundu corridor is set to undergo full rehabilitation, including the construction of new toll plazas and weighbridges.
The project is estimated to cost US$900 million and will be implemented under a PPP between 2026 and 2027.
Authorities say the route is one of Zimbabwe’s busiest commercial highways, handling large volumes of regional cargo destined for Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and beyond.
The upgrade is expected to improve safety, reduce congestion and enhance the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s trade logistics. Another flagship project involves the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway at a cost of US$1,2 billion between 2026 and 2030, also under a PPP model.
In addition to improving access to major tourism destinations, the corridor carries significant freight volumes 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.
Government has also announced timelines for several other nationally important corridors.
Rehabilitation of the Harare–Nyamapanda route, costing US$262 million, is scheduled for completion by 2029.
The project includes modernisation of the Nyamapanda Border Post and is expected to streamline movement to Mozambique and boost export traffic along the eastern corridor.
Similarly, the Gweru-Zvishavane-Rutenga-Boli-Sango Road will be upgraded at a cost of US$450 million, with completion targeted for 2030.
The project is intended to improve access to the Lowveld anda more reliable link towards northern Mozambique.
The Harare-Kanyemba corridor is also earmarked for major improvements under a US$384 million PPP scheduled for completion in 2029.
The project includes 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 other key highways.
The 70-kilometre Harare-Chegutu section of the Harare-Bulawayo Road is being widened at a cost of US$105 million, while the 65-kilometre Harare-Marondera section of the Harare-Mutare Road is being upgraded for US$95 million.
Construction has also begun on the long-planned 240-kilometre Kwekwe-upane Highway, which is expected to shorten the Harare-Victoria Falls journey by about 200 kilometres and reduce transport costs for farmers and businesses in Nkayi and Lupane.
Progress is being made on the 159-kilometre Bulawayo-Nkayi Highway and the 31,2-kilometre Christmas Pass By-Pass in Mutare. The Mutare by-pass is expected to divert heavy vehicles away from the city centre and ease chronic congestion.
