Online Reporter
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE plans to develop inland waterway infrastructure across the country’s major rivers, dams and lakes in a strategic move to bolster regional trade and industrial logistics.
The initiative, espoused in National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which runs from 2026 to 2030, aims to transform the country’s vast water bodies into vital transport corridors, facilitating the movement of heavy cargo and inter-regional trade.
The Government’s blueprint envisions a future where water transport acts as a relief valve for road networks, which currently bear the brunt of heavy goods transportation.
By leveraging the natural geography of the Zambezi River and massive reservoirs like Lake Kariba and Tugwi-Mukosi, Zimbabwe seeks to integrate its waterways into the broader SADC regional transport network.
“Government will prioritise the enhancement of safety and security on all inland waterways through the construction of modern communication and monitoring infrastructure,” the NDS 2 policy document says.
This includes a commitment to establishing a network of control towers and automatic weather stations at strategic sites to ensure the “protection of lives and property.”
The NDS 2 framework outlines a series of high-impact projects with specific deadlines designed to modernize the maritime landscape.
The Binga-Lake Kariba Control Tower is scheduled for completion by 2027 and the facility is expected to revolutionise vessel traffic management on the lake, ensuring the safer movement of both commercial goods and passengers.
By the end of 2026, a new control tower will be operational at the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam to manage expanding dam-related transport operations.
A control tower at Victoria Falls is targeted for completion in 2030, specifically to monitor the high volume of tourist and commercial water traffic.
The Government has committed to the procurement of five marine safety patrol vessels to strengthen the enforcement of safety standards and provide rapid emergency response.
Beyond the physical towers, the strategy focuses on the “invisible” infrastructure of modern navigation.
This includes the establishment of advanced radio communication systems and weather monitoring stations at key locations, including Kariba, Binga, Tugwi-Mukosi, Victoria Falls, Lake Chivero and Kanyemba.
The NDS 2 emphasises that the developments are not merely about aesthetics but are fundamental to economic security:
“Search and rescue patrol vessels will be deployed on all major waterways to ensure rapid emergency response,” says NDS2.
The plans are seen as essential for building confidence among international traders who require guaranteed safety for high-value cargo.
While the NDS 2 document notes that the “majority of funding will be provided by the Government,” there is a clear focus on the long-term benefits of the management systems.
By providing a safer and more efficient environment for water transport, Zimbabwe aims to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance its position as a regional logistics hub.
The successful implementation of these projects by 2030 is expected to create a robust, multi-modal transport system that finally utilises the untapped potential of Zimbabwe’s “blue” economy.
