Wenslus Murape
Mukudzei Chingwere in VICTORIA FALLS
ZIMBABWE has reaffirmed its commitment to infrastructure development, urging contractors to harness emerging scientific discoveries and technological advancements to drive regional economic growth.
This call was made yesterday by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga during the inaugural regional contractors’ summit, organised by the Zimbabwe Builders and Construction Association (ZBCA) in Victoria Falls.
The summit, themed, “Leveraging Investment in Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” attracted construction experts from across the region.
This theme aligns with the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap for 2015-2063, as well as Zimbabwe’s vision of becoming an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society by 2030, as envisioned by President Mnangagwa.
Vice President Chiwenga said innovation is a necessity in the construction sector.
“I urge us all to leverage on this era of emerging scientific discoveries, rapid innovation, and technology advancements.
“It is a period where we find ourselves at the cusp of a new industrial revolution.”
VP Chiwenga called on stakeholders to adapt, noting that “business as usual is no longer an option”.
He commended the ZBCA for fostering regional cooperation and challenged contractors to focus on modern infrastructure projects, moving beyond the legacy of colonial-era constructions.
“We must diversify and upgrade our strategies to harness the power of technology in construction,” the VP said.
Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a construction boom driven by increased business activity and the Second Republic’s strategic focus on economic growth.
This has led to numerous capital-intensive projects, providing local construction companies with opportunities to engage in infrastructure development.
During the summit, the ZBCA honoured outstanding contractors, with Manah Buildings Construction receiving the award for Contractor of the Year.
Director Arthar Mafuya expressed gratitude to Government for its trust and pledged that “as contractors, we will not betray this trust with poor workmanship.”
ZBCA president Dr Tinashe Manzungu highlighted the strides made in Zimbabwe’s construction sector, noting that “since 2018, over 7 000 projects have been implemented and more than 5 000 have been officially commissioned.”
He emphasised that these strategic infrastructure investments are vital for growth, job creation and improved living standards.
Dr Manzungu also called for strengthened regional integration and cooperation, advocating for harmonised policies and regulations to attract investment and promote sustainable economic growth across the SADC region.
