Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Road Nears Completion

Itai Mazire

The Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Road rehabilitation and upgrading project has reached another significant milestone, with a 2.9-kilometre stretch in Mwenezi District officially opened to traffic on 4 February 2026.

This latest development brings the total completed and operational sections of the vital highway to an impressive 547.1 kilometres, leaving just 34.9 kilometres to finalise the entire project.

The project, a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development drive, has been widely praised for its consistent progress and the collaborative efforts of various contractors.

Speaking on the development, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s Director of Roads, Engineer Jarawani Kangara, commended the remarkable work undertaken by the contracting firms.

“We are immensely proud of the dedication and efficiency demonstrated by our contractors. Bitumen World has delivered 130.3 kilometres, Fossil Contracting 122.6 kilometres, Masimba Holdings 102 kilometres, Exodus and Company 95 kilometres, and Tensor Systems 90 kilometres. Additionally, Trial has contributed 7.2 kilometres to this monumental undertaking.

“These figures are a testament to the success of our ‘kilometre-by-kilometre’ initiative, which ensures steady and measurable progress across all our road projects,” said Eng. Kangara.

The kilometre-by-kilometre initiative, a strategic approach adopted by the Ministry of Transport, is designed to accelerate road construction and rehabilitation by setting clear, achievable targets for each segment of a project.

This method has been instrumental in the rapid advancement of the Harare–Masvingo–Beitbridge Road, a critical component of the North–South Corridor that facilitates trade and enhances regional connectivity.

Beyond this flagship project, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, under the broader Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP 2), has been actively engaged in several other key roadworks across the country.

ERRP 2, whose implementation timeline has been extended to 2026/27, addresses the urgent need to upgrade Zimbabwe’s road network.

Notable ongoing and completed projects include the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road, extensive urban road repairs in Harare, and the crucial Seke Road rehabilitation. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate the government’s unwavering commitment to improving national infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and ensuring safer, more efficient travel for all Zimbabweans.