Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure is witnessing significant upgrades under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), a government-led initiative aimed at restoring the country’s transport network and boosting socio-economic development. Once characterised by potholes, poor drainage and heavy wear, many roads are now being transformed into safer and smoother highways, improving national connectivity and easing the cost of travel.
In the capital city, Harare, several key arteries have already been given a new lease of life. Roads such as Seke Road, High Glen Road, Airport Road and Alps Road have undergone major rehabilitation works, dramatically changing the look of the city. The improvements are not only cosmetic but are also making transport more efficient, cutting down travel times and reducing vehicle maintenance costs for motorists.
A visit by ZBC News this week to sites such as the Mabvuku Traffic Mini-Interchange and Lorraine Drive in Westgate confirmed that construction is progressing steadily. These projects are part of broader urban road renewal efforts designed to ease congestion and improve access to residential, industrial and business districts.
Local residents and motorists have welcomed the changes, noting the difference improved roads are making in their day-to-day lives. One Harare resident explained how travel had become easier:
“The roads used to be in a very bad state, full of potholes and difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season. It affected travel time, vehicle maintenance costs, and even business operations. But now, we are happy that the government is taking action to improve them.”
Another motorist echoed these sentiments, saying:
“The rehabilitation work has made roads smoother, safer, and more reliable, which is a huge relief for both motorists and public transport users. We hope this progress continues across the country.”
Drivers also acknowledged the efforts, with one saying that accessibility had improved and the city was becoming more navigable.
Government Scales Up Emergency Road Rehabilitation Projects Nationwide
While Harare has received noticeable attention, the ERRP is also extending across provinces and rural areas. Strategic highways such as the Beitbridge-Harare Road, the Harare-Kanyemba Road, and the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road are being upgraded to enhance national and regional trade corridors. These highways are vital for both domestic business and Zimbabwe’s role in facilitating regional transport and commerce in Southern Africa.
Feeder roads and rural networks are also part of the rehabilitation agenda. Projects such as Nhekairo-Chigondo in Hwedza, Golden Valley-Sanyati in Mashonaland West, and Nyabadza-Makoni in Manicaland are being rehabilitated to link communities, improve access to markets and stimulate local economies.
The government has emphasised that no part of the country will be left behind, with rural accessibility seen as a cornerstone of inclusive development.
Transport operators have been among the groups most vocal in welcoming the developments. CAG Buses Operations Manager, Mrs Afra Nhanhanga Chinhamo, told reporters that the upgrades were delivering tangible benefits to the transport sector.
“As transporters, we are experiencing reduced vehicle maintenance costs, fewer road traffic accidents due to less driver fatigue, and shorter travel times. Additionally, there are enhanced business opportunities due to improved connectivity. Our business is to transport people from one area to another, and these developments are making that easier and more efficient,” she said.
Improved roads are also expected to boost agriculture, tourism and trade. Farmers in rural areas will find it easier to move produce to markets, while improved highways connecting tourist hubs such as Victoria Falls and Kariba are expected to attract more visitors, strengthening the country’s tourism industry.
According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, timelines for the completion of major projects have already been set. The Harare-Kanyemba Road project is expected to be completed by February 2029, while the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is projected for completion by June 2026.
Closer to Harare, the Mabvuku Interchange, one of four major interchange projects underway, will see its first phase completed by July 2026 and the second phase by October 2026. These projects are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in and out of the capital.
Government officials say these developments reflect a renewed determination to modernise Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and align it with regional and global transport standards.
While challenges such as funding and the scale of the projects remain, the visible progress under the ERRP has drawn widespread public approval. Motorists, transporters and businesses are already experiencing the benefits of smoother roads and reduced operating costs.
For the government, the ERRP is not only about repairing roads but also about building a foundation for economic growth, regional integration and national pride.
With both urban highways and rural feeder roads undergoing transformation, Zimbabwe’s transport landscape is set for a significant shift in the coming years — one that promises to improve livelihoods, strengthen commerce and redefine connectivity across the country.
Source- ZBC
