Story by Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE has delivered major infrastructure developments across key sectors without relying on external concessional financial support, a significant departure from the traditional dependence on international funding for large-scale national projects.
The progress achieved under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), was driven by domestic resource mobilisation, increased participation of local contractors and selective use of commercial financing arrangements.
A review of NDS1 reveals that critical transport, energy, water and sanitation projects were completed during the 2021-2025 period, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s capacity to modernise its economy using largely home-grown funding mechanisms.
“On infrastructure, development of most projects was successfully undertaken during NDS 1, notwithstanding absence of concessional development financial support to Zimbabwe. This was underpinned by leveraging domestic resources and participation of local contractors, complemented by commercial financing arrangements,” the review read in part.
Among the most notable projects was the US$140 million Trabablas Interchange completed in 2025, which has eased traffic flow in Harare’s busiest transport corridors. The US$153 million expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport commissioned in 2023, significantly boosted passenger handling capacity and positioned Zimbabwe as a competitive regional aviation hub.
In the energy sector, the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 in 2023 added 600 megawatts to the national grid, making it one of the country’s most substantial power generation milestones in recent decades.
“Notable infrastructure projects were completed in the transport, energy, water and sanitation, inclusive of the Trabablas Interchange completed at a cost of US$140 million in 2025, the R.G. Mugabe International Airport Expansion at a cost of US$153 million in 2023, commissioning of Hwange Units 7 & 8 in 2023, which added 600 MW to the national grid, as well as extensive road rehabilitation undertaken through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme I and II, covering both urban and rural road infrastructure,” the review shows.
National road rehabilitation also accelerated under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programmes I and II, covering extensive urban and rural networks. Progress on major national highways continued, with the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge corridor reaching 85% completion as of October 2025.
Water infrastructure also advanced significantly. Construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam stood at 72.5%, while the Kunzvi Dam project reached 65% completion, marking key steps in strengthening long-term water security for urban and agricultural needs.
“Significant progress was realised towards the construction of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway which stood at 85% completion as of October 2025, while the Gwayi-Shangani dam and the Kunzvi dam was at 72.5% and 65%, respectively.”
Complementing these gains, the manufacturing sector continued its upward trajectory, with capacity utilisation rising from 36.4% in 2019 to 54.7% in 2024, supported by increased investment in value addition of agricultural and mineral commodities.
“Manufacturing capacity utilisation increased from 36.4% prior to NDS 1 in 2019 to 54.7% in 2024, against the background of the quest for increased investment in value-addition of the country’s agricultural and mineral commodities.”
