Ministry Reveals 690km Of Zimbabwe’s 100,000km Road Network Rehabilitated Since 2018

By Shingirai Vambe

Zimbabwe’s road network has been a topic of concern for years, with many roads in rural areas being impassable. Recently, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development (MOTID) revealed that only 690km of the country’s 100,000km road network had been rehabilitated since 2018. This is a mere 0.69% of the total road network, leaving many rural areas without access to proper roads ¹.

The state of Zimbabwe’s roads has been a pressing issue, with Minister of MOTID, Felix Mhona, confirming to Parliament earlier this year that all roads were in a terrible state. During the 9th Parliament, he told Senate that his annual budget allocation was not enough to fix all roads in the country, requesting for more funds to fix the country’s major roads.

Despite the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the roads through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), the program has failed to meet the demand. Many roads in rural areas are facing closure, and the expected rains may make the situation worse. The 2025 National Budget allocation of ZiG5.4 billion to the ministry may help alleviate some of the issues, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to make a significant impact.

Zimbabwe’s road network is a critical component of the country’s infrastructure, and its poor state has far-reaching consequences for the economy and the people. The government’s efforts to rehabilitate the roads are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the scale of the problem.

In addition to the rehabilitation of roads, the government has also been working on other infrastructure projects, such as the upgrading of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road and the construction of the Mbudzi Interchange ². These projects are aimed at improving the country’s transportation network and enhancing connectivity between different regions.

However, despite these efforts, the challenges facing Zimbabwe’s road network remain significant. The country’s roads are in a state of disrepair, and the lack of funding has hindered efforts to rehabilitate them. The government’s allocation of ZiG5.4 billion to the ministry in the 2025 National Budget is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to address the scale of the problem.

Ultimately, addressing the challenges facing Zimbabwe’s road network will require a sustained effort and commitment from the government and other stakeholders. It will also require significant investment in infrastructure and human resources. However, with the right approach and resources, it is possible to transform Zimbabwe’s road network and create a more efficient and effective transportation system that benefits the entire country.