E.J Makumbe, the Permanent secretary in the Zimbabwean Ministry of Transport has confirmed that the vital Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road rehabilitation project is on track for full completion by December 2026, following a recent media tour assessing the progress of eight contracted firms.
Summary
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2026 Completion Target: Eight contractors awarded sections of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road are aiming for project completion between August and December of next year [01:31].
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Festive Season Safety: All contractors have been directed to patch existing potholes on their respective sections before the annual shutdown to guarantee safe passage for travelers during the holidays [01:51].
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Local Female Employment Rises: The project boasts a gender-sensitive employment rate, with 80% local hiring and 20-30% of those local jobs going to women, boosting household incomes in the project areas [03:03].
The recent tour, organized by the Ministry of Transport, served as a crucial follow-up mechanism to monitor the progress and quality of work being executed by the eight separate contractors, each managing an average of 51 kilometers of the crucial national highway [00:31]. The Ministry confirmed that contractors are currently promising an average of 10 kilometers of finished road before the scheduled annual shutdown, which begins in approximately two weeks [01:08]. This progress is deemed satisfactory by the Ministry, which is actively engaging contractors to address any on-site challenges that could potentially delay the overall project timeline [00:58].
In preparation for the busy festive season, a period marked by increased travel to rural areas and tourist destinations like Victoria Falls, the Ministry has mandated that contractors prioritize pothole patching across their sections [01:51]. This immediate measure is intended to enhance safety and ensure smoother transit for motorists. However, the Ministry urged the traveling public to proceed with extreme caution, as the road remains an active construction zone, complete with contractor equipment and temporary detours [02:19].
Furthermore, the project is serving as a significant driver for local socio-economic development, reinforcing the Ministry of Transport’s commitment to gender-sensitive procurement and employment, an area for which the Ministry recently won an award [02:35]. The initiative ensures that 80% of all employees are sourced locally, with an impressive 20% to 30% of those local positions being filled by women [03:03]. This focus on female employment is expected to have a tangible impact on the quality of life for families, enabling women to pay for hospital bills and school fees [03:11].
Conclusion
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Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution and strictly observe all signage and detours while traveling through the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls construction zones [02:24].
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The Ministry remains focused on supporting contractors to mitigate delays, ensuring the project meets its final completion window of August to December 2026 [01:31].
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The project continues to uphold local employment goals, channeling resources into the communities along the highway [03:03].
Key Players
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Ministry of Transport (Zimbabwe)
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Eight contracted construction companies
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Local communities along the road corridor
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Motorists/Travelers (especially during the festive season)
Timeline (Last 48 hours focus)
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December 7, 2025: Ministry of Transport conducts a media tour of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road rehabilitation project to assess progress and address contractor challenges [00:05].
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December 7, 2025 (During Tour): Contractors confirm they will achieve approximately 10 kilometers of finished road each before the annual shutdown [01:08].
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December 7, 2025 (During Tour): Ministry officials emphasize the mandatory patching of potholes across all sections to ensure safe festive season travel [01:51].
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December 8, 2025 (Current Date): Media reports confirm the project remains on track for completion between August and December 2026.
