Zimbabwe is embarking on a significant infrastructure drive, focusing on the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway and the proposed upgrade of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Road. These projects, especially the latter under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, are poised to be catalysts for accelerated economic growth across the country's southern corridor. This massive undertaking is anticipated to boost vital sectors such as trade, mining, tourism, and logistics, while simultaneously deepening regional integration, aligning perfectly with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the broader Vision 2030.

The Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route is critical, serving as a primary trade artery that connects Zimbabwe's southern border to Bulawayo, its industrial heartland, and extends further to the western tourism corridor. Infrastructure experts emphasize that the Government's adoption of the PPP model underscores its strategic approach to harness private sector investment, thereby complementing fiscal resources and expediting the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Stretching 438 kilometers, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway not only links the country's industrial base to its premier tourism capital but also acts as a strategic gateway to regional markets in Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. For many years, this essential road suffered from severe degradation, including pervasive potholes, eroded shoulders, and narrow lanes, which frequently led to accidents and significant transport delays. Its ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation is set to transform it into a safe, efficient, and commercially vibrant corridor, promising enhanced trade flows, reduced transit times, and stimulated investment across diverse sectors.

Speaking at the third Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference (AfriConfex) in Bulawayo, Engineer David Jana, chief director of roads in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, underscored the highway's modernization as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's infrastructure renewal agenda. He stated that improved road infrastructure along the southern corridor would significantly boost logistics efficiency and attract private sector investment. Engineer Jana further highlighted that the fully modernized highway would substantially reduce travel time, enhance safety, and improve connectivity between major economic zones such as Bulawayo, Hwange, and Victoria Falls. He also confirmed that NDS2 would prioritize accelerated road upgrades through PPP models, with numerous projects in the pipeline to enhance the country's competitiveness in facilitating the movement of goods and freight, leveraging Zimbabwe's extensive road network.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona, reaffirmed the Government's unwavering commitment to delivering infrastructure projects that directly benefit citizens. He cited the success of projects like the Beitbridge-Harare Road Rehabilitation, Beitbridge Border Post Modernisation and Expansion, and the Mbudzi (Trabablas) Interchange, expressing optimism for continued success under NDS2 and future PPP arrangements, including border post upgrades at Chirundu and Forbes. Minister Mhona also articulated Zimbabwe's aspiration to evolve from a landlocked nation into a