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THE Government has stressed the importance of efficient transport and logistics systems in driving Zimbabwe’s economic growth, industrialisation, tourism and trade as the country makes progress towards its Vision 2030 target of an Upper Middle-Income economy.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Director of Policy and Planning in the ministry, Mr Takura Vengesa at the Zimpapers Public Lecture Series in Harare on Thursday, said transport infrastructure was a strategic pillar for improving national competitiveness and unlocking sustainable economic development.
The lecture, held under the theme “Moving Zimbabwe Forward: Transport Logistics as the Backbone of an Upper Middle Income Economy,” brought together policymakers, business leaders, academics and industry experts to discuss the role of transport in economic transformation.
Minister Mhona said the country has entered the final phase of its Vision 2030 agenda under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), with transport and logistics expected to play a central role in supporting key sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and trade.
He said Zimbabwe’s strategic location and connectivity through regional corridors, including the North-South, Beira and Trans-Kalahari corridors, positioned the country to become a regional logistics hub.
Minister Mhona said the Government was upgrading major highways to regional standards, with the Harare-Beitbridge Highway now nearing completion after more than 550 kilometres had already been rehabilitated. Work is also progressing on the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls, Harare – Chirundu and Harare-Kanyemba roads, while more than 30 bridges and interchanges are planned to improve traffic flow and freight movement.
He said the Government was also modernising border posts through public – private partnerships to reduce congestion and improve trade facilitation, building on the success of the upgraded Beitbridge Border Post.
In the aviation sector, Minister Mhona said Zimbabwe was expanding airport infrastructure, including upgrades at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, while plans were underway for new airports in Mutasa and Kariba and the transformation of Charles Prince Airport into an international facility.
He added that the Government was deploying intelligent transport systems and digital traffic enforcement technologies to improve road safety and compliance, while public service vehicles would be fitted with tracking systems to enhance passenger safety.
Minister Mhona said public-private partnerships would remain central to financing strategic transport infrastructure as the Government seeks to strengthen regional integration, improve trade competitiveness and create jobs.
“Transport is not simply about infrastructure. It is about enabling economic opportunity, connecting Zimbabwe to regional and international markets, creating jobs, enhancing competitiveness and improving the quality of life of our citizens.
“We look forward to creating jobs. It is about enhancing the competitiveness of our nation and it is about improving the quality of life of our citizens.
This vision started being implemented through National Development Strategy 1 (2021 – 2025) and we have started the final leg of our journey towards Vision 2030 through NDS 2, running from 2026 to 2030,” said Minister Mhona.
Representing National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) at the event, Mrs Lynn Magodora indicated that her company is working on rehabilitating Zimbabwe’s rail network to reduce logistics costs, improve competitiveness and enhance regional trade.
She said the long-term rehabilitation of the North-South Rail Corridor remains a priority, with Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique working together to mobilise funding for the strategic route.
The rehabilitation programme, being undertaken through a partnership involving NRZ, Botswana Railways and Mozambique’s rail authorities, is expected to boost cargo movement between the three countries and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a regional logistics hub.
She said once the railway system is fully rehabilitated and recapitalised, bulk cargo will naturally shift from road to rail due to improved efficiency and lower transport costs.
“When the railway system is functional, the economy becomes efficient and competitive. We believe we are on track in terms of rehabilitation and recapitalising as we seek to transfer the bulk movement of cargo from road to rail,” said Mrs Magodora.
Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) Washington Dube said reducing border delays and harmonising trade documentation were equally critical to improving the country’s competitiveness.
He called for the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) one-document principle, which would allow traders to use a single set of customs documents across borders, reducing duplication, delays and administrative costs.
Mr Dube also advocated the establishment of a national single-window system to consolidate import and export permits from multiple Government agencies onto one digital platform.
“We cannot improve Zimbabwe’s competitiveness without addressing border inefficiencies and simplifying trade procedures. One of the key priorities should be the implementation of the SADC one-document principle, which allows traders to use a single set of customs documents across borders, reducing duplication, delays and administrative costs.
“We also need to establish a national single-window system that brings together import and export permits from various Government agencies onto one digital platform. This will simplify compliance, speed up the movement of goods and lower the cost of doing business,” said Mr Dube.
They said efficient rail transport, combined with simplified trade procedures, would shorten cargo turnaround times, lower production costs and improve the competitiveness of Zimbabwean products in regional and international markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Zimbabwe Indigenous Road Transporters Association (ZIRTA)chairman Mr Simon Gambiza said Zimbabwean trucks continue to face higher logistics costs than some regional competitors, making their truck bookings less competitive despite comparable production capabilities.
“Reducing logistics costs and improving transport efficiency will be critical if we are to compete effectively in regional markets,” said Mr Gambiza.
CBZ Holdings Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Mr Nkosana Ndlovu recommended expanding the use of revenue-backed infrastructure bonds, blended finance models, institutional investment pooling and sovereign co-investment to mobilise long-term capital for transport projects.
“Predictable policy, transparent governance, bankable revenue streams and effective risk-sharing mechanisms would be essential in attracting private sector and institutional investors into transport and logistics infrastructure funding.
