Government has secured funding to mobilise contractors back to the site for the rehabilitation and widening of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, according to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona. Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister Mhona stated that fresh resources will drive an accelerated pace of works along the 440-kilometre trade and tourism corridor heading into August, resolving months of funding constraints that had stalled the infrastructure project.
Funding Breakthrough and Contractor Mobilisation
The rehabilitation project, which initially commenced in July 2025, faced significant slowdowns due to budgetary limitations. According to Minister Mhona, the traditional annual budget allocation of approximately US$150 million for national roads nationwide remains insufficient for a corridor of this magnitude. To bypass these constraints, the ministry pursued alternative funding models, including loan facilities and Public-Private Partnerships, to secure the capital needed to return teams to their respective sections.
Did you know? The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road spans 440 kilometres, serving as a vital trade artery linking Zimbabwe’s second-largest city to regional markets in Zambia, Namibia, and Botswana.
Current Progress and Contractor Breakdown
As of July 30, 2026, official figures show that a total of 73,4 kilometres of the roadway has been surfaced and opened to traffic. Eight distinct contractors were assigned to individual lots averaging about 50 kilometres each, incorporating strategic detours away from the main route to maintain traffic flow.
Bitumen World leads completed legacy works on the Hwange section with 20,9 kilometres. Additional completed sections include Syvern Investment with 13,9 kilometres, Tensor Systems with 10,6 kilometres, and Masimba Holdings with 10,3 kilometres. Fossil Contracting finished 6,2 kilometres, Linash Construction completed 6,1 kilometres, and Bitumen Resources reached 5,4 kilometres, while Asphalt Products and Bitumen World’s lots six and seven have yet to record surfaced progress according to ministry records.
Economic Impact on Trade and Tourism
With 367 kilometres remaining in the backlog, the fresh injection of funds aims to reduce delays and improve transit conditions along the route. The corridor connects domestic commercial hubs to Victoria Falls, a premier tourism destination, while facilitating cross-border logistics across southern Africa. Minister Mhona noted that opening completed segments—such as nine kilometres finalized just two and a half weeks prior to his parliamentary update—directly contributes to reduced transport costs and enhanced road safety for motorists and freight operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project start?
A: The project officially commenced in July 2025.
Q: How many kilometres of the road have been surfaced so far?
A: According to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, 73,4 kilometres had been surfaced and opened to traffic as of July 30, 2026.
Q: What caused the project to stall?
A: Minister Felix Mhona cited funding constraints, noting that the standard US$150 million annual national road budget cannot fully sustain a project of this scale without alternative financing models.
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