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Patrick Chitumba, patrick.chitumba@chronicle.co.zw
THE City of Kwekwe is undergoing a significant infrastructure development boom, with new investments totalling over US$50 million.
The development is largely driven by businesses seeking to capitalise on emerging opportunities.
In line with its new master plan, the local authority is embracing the smart city concept, particularly in the new Central Business District (CBD) where multiple new buildings are under construction.
The drive aligns with Government’s vision of creating inclusive and sustainable cities, as emphasised by President Mnangagwa’s empowerment drive, which aims to ensure that no one and no place is left behind.
A smart city is one that uses information communication technologies to improve operational efficiency, share information with the public and provide better quality Government services and citizen welfare.
The country made a decision to create smart cities and the Government adopted the principle in 2018 at the advent of the New Dispensation.
Kwekwe has already serviced the land for the new CBD, Railway Reserve and commercial malls are earmarked to be developed at Mbizo 21, 17, Extension and Southwood Shopping Centre.
The local authority is working with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida) in packaging and marketing investment opportunities and has lured several investors. The development is set to create more job opportunities for locals.
To facilitate private sector-led investment, the local authority is working on improving the ease of doing business and reducing the costs to ensure an enabling environment for investments to thrive.
Kwekwe town clerk, Dr Lucia Mkandla, confirmed the infrastructure development boom in an interview on Tuesday.
“We have embarked on an intense investment drive in Kwekwe in line with Vision 2030. The massive investments are worth over US$50 million and we are still counting,” she said.
Dr Mkandla said existing houses are being renovated or turned into business units while new buildings are also being constructed in the city to meet the smart city concept.
“As a local authority we are visiting or writing to landowners encouraging them to develop their pieces of land, lest we invoke the agreement of sale conditions. I am glad to note that we have a lot of buy-in from the property owners as evidenced by their positive response,” she said.
The other contributing factor, Dr Mkandla said, is the local authority’s open door policy where they offer advice on investing in Kwekwe.
“We encourage local investors as well as those who seem to be having financial resources from their mining operations to invest in infrastructure development and several areas that make the economy,” she said.
“The other thing is that our vision as a city resonates well with the national vision. Our role is to explain what that means and how each investor, large or small, can contribute to the local, as well the national Gross Domestic Product.”
Dr Mkandla said the immediate impact of infrastructure development has been the boost in economic activities in the city.
“The city sprung into action towards Vision 2030 and there are a lot of economic activities taking place.
We also encourage modern buildings and old ones were given notices to revamp them in line with urban renewal,” she said.
Dr Mkandla said a portion of Harare Road, starting from the Islamic Church/Total Service Station, has been temporarily closed to facilitate expansion works by the local authority.
“This upgrade aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the area, which is expected to worsen with the anticipated growth of businesses in the Kope area along Harare Road,” she said.
The local authority is also making strides in addressing the demand for housing stands, with new areas currently being serviced, according to Dr Mkandla.
To facilitate this growth, the city is seeking development partners to collaborate on servicing residential stands in certain areas. Notably, Mbizo 18 and the new CBD are already undergoing servicing.
“The city is also open to strategic partnerships in various sectors, including wire making, iron and steel production, ferrochrome manufacturing, fertiliser production, mining and related industries,” she said.
“These investment opportunities aim to drive economic growth and development in Kwekwe.”
Some of the investors include Global Union Alloys, Bentouch, OK Zimbabwe (Bon Marche), DCK, Dendairy and Zimasco.
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