Govt Targets 50km Upgrade on Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway

By Moses Ndlovu

The Government has set a target to rehabilitate another 50 kilometres of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway during the current parliamentary session, despite delays that have slowed progress on the major road project.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced the target in his State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, saying the road upgrade programme was aimed at improving connectivity between communities, economic centres and key border routes.

The 440-kilometre Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway is one of Zimbabwe’s major transport and tourism corridors, connecting the country with Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

The rehabilitation project was launched in July 2025 under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase Two, with Government initially giving contractors a 10-month completion target.

Five contractors were initially awarded sections of the highway, before three additional companies were brought in to speed up construction.

The contractors include Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources, Tensor Systems, Asphalt Products, Bitumen World and Linash Construction.

However, progress has remained slow, with only 57 kilometres having been opened to traffic by April 2026. The figure increased marginally to 59.9 kilometres by June.

Mnangagwa said Government would now target an additional 50 kilometres during the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament.

“The following roadworks are targeted during the 4th Session of the 10th Parliament — completion of the Harare-Beitbridge Road, 30 kilometres of the Harare-Kanyemba highway, 30 kilometres of the Harare-Nyamapanda highway, 50 kilometres of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway, 20 kilometres of the Harare-Chirundu highway and 40 kilometres of the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road,” he said.

The President said the road projects were intended to improve the movement of people and goods while strengthening links between communities and economic centres.

Government is also pursuing major road interchange projects in urban areas, including the completion of the Mabvuku Interchange in Harare.

Beyond roads, the Government plans further investment in aviation infrastructure.

Mnangagwa said the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport had been completed, while the upgrade of Kariba Airport was planned during the current parliamentary session.

He also said two additional international airlines were expected to begin operating flights to Zimbabwe in 2027.

Cargo facilities at Victoria Falls International Airport and J.M. Nkomo International Airport are also set for expansion.

The railway sector is similarly earmarked for investment, with Government continuing rehabilitation and expansion projects.

Mnangagwa said new and refurbished wagons had recently been acquired by the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe and Zambia also signed a memorandum of understanding in April for the development of a 311-kilometre railway link between Kafue and Lion’s Den.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation of the 614-kilometre railway line between Chicualacuala and Plumtree is underway and is expected to be completed by August 2027.

The Government says the wider infrastructure programme is intended to strengthen Zimbabwe’s transport network and support economic activity across the country.

If you want, I can also make this **more punchy and iHarare/Maitengwe Post-style**, with a harder headline and shorter paragraphs.