Overview

According to the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Zimbabwe has committed to infrastructure development, supported by the private sector.  Ongoing projects span various sectors from mining, energy, roads, and dam construction.  The government is in the process of rebuilding the road network.  Although better than most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe’s road network has suffered from lack of maintenance due to fiscal constraints and poor planning.  The government recently rehabilitated the main east-west highway with funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa and construction is underway for the busy Beitbridge-to-Chirundu highway, the main trade route linking the southern ports of South Africa to Zimbabwe and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) states. 

Leading Sub-Sectors

The transport sub-sectors of road and rail continue to suffer from a lack of investment.  Prospects exist in upgrading the roads and rail networks to improve the movement of goods to domestic and regional markets.  The government targets increasing the number of kilometers of road network in good condition from 14,702 km to 24,500 km by 2025.

Opportunities

Opportunities exist for U.S. construction machinery manufacturers and related parts and equipment to provide road and rail construction machinery and equipment in the form of either selling to local construction companies or renting and leasing.  Opportunities also exist for U.S. companies to sell rolling stock to the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).

Resources

Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe

256 Samora Machel Ave, Harare

Tel: +263 242746661 

Email: infor@cifozzim.co.zw

Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA) 

489 Glenroy Shopping Centre, Harare

Tel: +263 242442711/3

National Railways of Zimbabwe

NRZ Parkade Centre, Corner 9th Avenue and Fife Street, Bulawayo

Tel: +263 29236323