By Jeremiah Gora
Road infrastructure development dominated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he outlined a major programme of road rehabilitation, modernisation and construction during the Fourth Session of the Tenth Parliament.
Addressing Parliament at the New Parliament Building in Harare today, President Mnangagwa said Government would prioritise several strategic road projects as part of efforts to improve connectivity and facilitate economic activity across the country.
“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.
President Mnangagwa also said Government is targeting the completion of the Mabvuku Interchange, alongside other interchange projects intended to improve traffic movement at strategic nodes.
“In transport and infrastructural development sector, the country continues to record significant progress in road rehabilitation, modernisation and construction,” he said.
The President said the Government’s infrastructure programme would extend beyond roads to include airports and railways.
He said the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport had been successfully completed, while the upgrade of Kariba Airport was scheduled for the Fourth Session.
“Two additional international airlines are expected to fly into Zimbabwe in 2027,” President Mnangagwa said, adding that cargo facilities would also be expanded at Victoria Falls and J. M. Nkomo International Airports.
He said Government would also modernise ancillary services required by airlines operating on Zimbabwean routes.
On railway infrastructure, President Mnangagwa said attention would continue to be directed towards the development and rehabilitation of the national rail network.
“Attention to railway development continues to be upscaled, with new and refurbished wagons recently purchased for the National Railways of Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said Zimbabwe and Zambia had signed a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2026 for the development of a 311-kilometre railway link between Kafue and Lion’s Den.
President Mnangagwa further said rehabilitation of the 614-kilometre railway line from Chicualacuala to Plumtree was in progress and was expected to be completed by August 2027.
The project, he said, was being implemented under a US$12 billion Tripartite Agreement involving the railway administrations of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
The President’s infrastructure priorities come against the backdrop of Government’s wider economic programme, which he said was aimed at improving the country’s productive capacity and creating conditions for investment.
He said Zimbabwe had maintained macro-economic stability, with inflation reduced to single-digit levels from January 2026, while foreign currency inflows reached US$10.7 billion during the first half of the year.
Agriculture recorded 27.9 percent growth and contributed 2.2 percentage points to Zimbabwe’s reported 8.3 percent GDP growth, according to the President.
On energy, President Mnangagwa said frequent load shedding had been reduced, with supplies from Kariba Hydro and Hwange Thermal power stations being complemented by independent power producers, captive power plants, net-metering and rooftop solar.
“Frequent load shedding is now a thing of the past,” he said.
He said the rural electrification programme was also being accelerated through grid extensions and mini-grids, with the target of electrifying public institutions.
The President also highlighted developments in mining, manufacturing and tourism, saying these sectors remained central to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
In mining, he said Government was strengthening the Mining Promotion Corporation and Zimbabwe Geological Society to undertake systematic exploration and develop bankable projects.
He also highlighted progress in mineral beneficiation, including the production of lithium sulphate locally.
On legislation, President Mnangagwa said the Fourth Session would consider a number of Bills covering economic governance, justice, agriculture, health, transport, security and social protection.
Among the proposed transport-related legislation are the Road Accident Fund Bill, Merchant Shipping Bill, Road Traffic Authority Bill and National Roads Authority Bill.
The President said the Government remained committed to improving service delivery and creating an environment that supports investment and economic growth.
“With less than four years remaining until 2030, we have achieved unprecedented milestones,” he said.
“However, the journey continues, much work lies ahead.”
President Mnangagwa called on Parliament, Government, business, communities, traditional leaders, women and young people to work together towards the country’s development goals.
“I call upon all of us; the elected leaders of our nation, along with players across sectors of the economy, entrepreneurs, women, young people, Chiefs, traditional leaders and communities at large, to confidently march on, shoulder-to-shoulder, towards realising the Zimbabwe we all want and indeed deserve,” he said.
