Story by Tafara Chikumira
KWEKWE has attracted more than US$90 million in investment between 2022 and 2025, as the Midlands city accelerates its urban renewal and infrastructure development drive, officials have confirmed.
The inflows, which span industrial, commercial, social amenities and housing projects, position Kwekwe among Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing urban centres. The development momentum has also seen the city’s Town Clerk, Dr Lucia Mkandla, receiving the 2024-2025 Presidential Award for outstanding local authority performance.
Speaking on the city’s investment strategy, Dr Mkandla said Kwekwe had deliberately positioned itself as a preferred destination for investors in the Midlands Province.
“For the past four years, we have managed to surpass US$90 million mark in terms of investments. We are looking at industrial, commercial, social amenities, as well as housing. We had a setback during the COVID era, but as soon as business opened, we took advantage of the ground we had covered to get things done. We are positioning ourselves for future investments,” Dr Mkandla said.
Urban renewal projects are visible across the city, from the bus terminus through the central business district and into surrounding residential areas, where new commercial and service developments continue to emerge.
One of the flagship projects is the Kwekwe Specialist Hospital, which is expected to expand access to specialised medical services previously unavailable locally.
Clinical Director Dr Brian Paketch said the facility would reduce the need for patients to seek specialised care outside the city.
“This will be a one-stop centre offering specialised treatment, radiology, scans and pharmaceutical services. All medical aid schemes will be accepted, ensuring no patient is turned away,” Dr Paketch noted.
Residents have welcomed the pace of development, describing it as a visible shift in the city’s economic fortunes.
“It is encouraging to see locals taking the lead in developing the city. Almost every day, there is something new coming up,” said a long-time resident.
Government has also commended Kwekwe’s progress, linking it to broader national economic reforms.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, said the city’s growth reflects the impact of policies aimed at promoting private sector-led industrialisation and improved service delivery.
“Kwekwe City has demonstrated strong leadership in service delivery and investment attraction, earning recognition as the best-run local authority in Zimbabwe for 2024,” he said.
The city’s development trajectory aligns with the National Development Strategy 2, which prioritises infrastructure development and urban renewal as Zimbabwe works towards attaining upper middle-income status by 2030.
