Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
FINANCE, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube has underscored the urgent need for Zimbabwe to attract more private capital into its infrastructure development programmes, saying public-private partnerships (PPPs) remain key to unlocking the country’s economic potential.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Parliament of Zimbabwe’s 2026 Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo on Wednesday, Prof Ncube said infrastructure development was central to the country’s growth ambitions, and that private capital particularly foreign was already playing a critical role in major projects.
“On infrastructure, again I agree that we will allow for foreign capital, PPPs specifically,” said Prof Ncube.
“If you look at the construction of the Beitbridge Border Post, that was funded purely by foreign capital from South Africa. Four banks were involved in that. And the same thing is happening with Forbes and Chirundu upgrades. All those are going to be funded with foreign funding to allow for us to access bigger resources out there.”
Prof Ncube said the Government was actively engaging investors and exploring models that would see more private sector participation in infrastructure development, including in the transport, energy and logistics sectors.
“But its private sector funding on a public-private partnership basis,” he said.
“The discussions we are having at the moment regarding the revamp of the National Railways of Zimbabwe involve again private sector capital, foreign capital. And the investments that we are seeing, all those are private investments by independent power producers, the IPPs. So again, I fully agree that we need to do more to attract private capital into our infrastructure sector.”
He added that cooperation with South Africa on key cross-border infrastructure was ongoing, noting plans to enhance connectivity and trade efficiency.
“Collaboration in steel and lithium between South Africa and Zimbabwe, again, I agree,” said Prof Ncube.
“I have really had open discussions with the Treasury in South Africa to explore not just these two areas but other areas including the development of the border post on the South Africa side, because the Zimbabwe side is done.
“And now we are supporting South Africa to develop the South Africa side to see if they could use the same contractors. We also need an additional bridge that will connect the two areas again across the Limpopo. So we need to work on that.”
The call by Prof Ncube comes as Government intensifies efforts to modernise the country’s infrastructure and create a conducive investment environment under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Private capital remains a critical enabler for infrastructure growth, especially in sectors that require large, long-term financing such as rail, energy and transport.
