Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
TREASURY has allocated more than ZiG3 billion towards Matabeleland’s two high-impact projects, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road and the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, putting the region on a major economic transformative surge.
Also set to be completed next year is the construction of a multi-purpose 10 000-seater Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. The stadium is expected to host matches for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
In his 2026 budget presentation on Thursday, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube said ZiG2,9 billion will go towards the completion of the economically important 440km Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road while ZiG273 million was allocated to Lake Gwayi-Shangani, which is now at 73 percent completion.
Prof Ncube said the 2026 National Budget prioritises investment in public infrastructure projects with high economic and social returns, trade competitiveness, as well as promoting digitisation.
“In view of limited fiscal space, Government will adopt a phased and prioritised approach to implementation of capital projects in 2026 and beyond. This strategy aims to avoid spreading resources thinly and to ensure that limited public resources are channelled towards high-impact, economically strategic projects that deliver measurable value to citizens,” said Prof Ncube.
He outlined the criteria guiding the prioritisation of public sector investment projects in 2026, which include ongoing projects at advanced stages of completion and emerging projects that drive economic growth and socio-economic transformation.
Additionally, the criteria covers projects with high socio-economic returns and downstream benefits; initiatives that enhance the country’s competitiveness in global markets and attract foreign direct investment; investments supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation; projects encouraging private sector participation; and the protection of existing assets and investments.
Prof Ncube said in the road sector, focus is on rehabilitation and upgrading the road network, leveraging on the progress made thus far.
“Work is underway on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. As at October 2025, a total of 19,2km including Hwange and Insuza sections had been completed and opened to traffic. Upgrading of the road is a significant step forward in Government’s mission to enhance the highway, which is one of the country’s most vital tourism and trade corridor. Therefore, an amount of ZiG2,9 billion has been set aside to support the ongoing road rehabilitation works in 2026, including clearance of arrears,” said Prof Ncube.
On Lake Gwayi-Shangani, Prof Ncube said Government was more than eager to see its completion, hence the allocation of ZiG273 million.
Lake Gwayi-Shangani forms the first phase of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP), which also includes a 252-kilometre pipeline to Bulawayo and a 122-kilometre pipeline linking the dam to the Zambezi River.
Once operational, the mega-project will supply water to Bulawayo and benefit Hwange, Binga and Lupane districts.
The dam will also house a 15MW mini-hydro power plant and create opportunities in tourism, fisheries and irrigation, making it one of the most transformative water projects in the region.
“Disbursements during the year 2025 enabled the following works to be undertaken, construction of upstream water tank, installation of insulation panels to cater for thermal differentials at the downstream face of the dam which is still in progress, steel fabrication of 1 400m diameter mini-hydro penstock pipe was done and mini-hydro power plant construction which is now at 50 percent completion,” said Prof Ncube.
Commenting on the allocations, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo said they were excited with the budget allocation towards the projects which will be a game changer for the province.
“We are excited with the allocation of funds for Matabeleland North projects which will really be life-changing once completed. Once these projects are completed, there will be a huge boom in many sectors, including tourism and employment for our people. The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is the economic hub for the province and its completion will have further downstream positives,” said Minister Moyo.
Once complete the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road will reduce travel time to the tourism capital, boost tourism revenue and lower freight costs, while the dam will guarantee water for Bulawayo, enable large scale irrigation and open fisheries and tourism around the new lake.
The two projects are expected to create thousands of jobs, stimulate Small and Medium Enterprises along the corridor and catalyse a diversified economy that aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy, whose second part was launched by President Mnangagwa on Thursday.
