Sikhumbuzo Moyo

Senior Zimpapers Reporter

A VIBRANT transport and infrastructure sector will be a key pillar as Zimbabwe transitions to National Development Strategy 2  starting January 2026.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona made the remarks yesterday in his keynote address in Bulawayo at the ministry’s session of the “Line Minister’s Public Entities Corporate Governance Oversight”.

He implored parastatals under the portfolio to think outside the box and ensure delivery of set targets.

These include the Central Mechanical Engineering Department (CMED), Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), Airport Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), National Handling Services (NHS), Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), and Air Zimbabwe.

“We need to think outside the box, let’s not do the normal and the expected. I was happy that CMED, in their strategy, want to venture into manufacturing,” said Minister Mhona.

“We are fortunate to work under the leadership of a leader as President Mnangagwa, someone who is not rigid but listens to any ideas and if it indeed makes sense, he will tell you to go ahead and implement it. So, I call upon you to have that in mind.”

Minister Mhona said the ACZ, which is in charge of airports, may venture into the hotel industry where travellers landing at its airports may be accommodated through special packages.

“National Handling Services, together with Air Zimbabwe, may want to increase its fleet by purchasing small planes such as a 20-seater, which will service smaller routes such as Gweru, Masvingo, among others and these will feed into the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, earmarked to be the regional hub,” he said.

As the country completes NDS1 (2021-2025) and transitions to NDS2 (2026-2030), Minister Mhona said his portfolio will continue to be guided by targets contained in its vision, which reflects the collective aspirations and determination of the people of Zimbabwe to achieve a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society by 2030.

“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development stands at the centre of economic transformation envisaged by Vision 2030. You are not mere implementing agencies but strategic partners for national growth, regional integration and the efficient delivery of public goods and services to the people,” said Minister Mhona.

He commended the progress made in improving board oversight, financial reporting and audit compliance across most of the entities in the ministry’s purview, urging those who are still behind schedule in meeting corporate governance audit requirements to do so by year’s end.

“As we transition into the next phase, the NDS2, we do so with renewed focus and strategic clarity. In this regard, the development of the Government Functions Handbook marks a critical milestone,”  he said.

“This tool will serve as a compass for institutional alignment, ensuring that every ministry, department and agency is fully equipped to deliver on its mandate with efficiency, accountability and impact,” said Minister Mhona.

“In 2025, we witnessed remarkable progress in our national infrastructure development agenda. The Harare–Beitbridge Highway upgrade, one of the largest and most transformative transport projects in Southern Africa, has reached 97 percent completion.

“The remaining stretch — over 50 kilometres — is on track for finalisation by the end of this year.”

Minister Mhona said the milestone marked a major enhancement of the North–South Corridor, dramatically reducing travel time, lowering vehicle operating costs and improving road safety.

Within the framework of the kilometre-by-kilometre approach, he said the nation will soon celebrate the completion of the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation programme.