Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road Rehabilitation Gains Momentum

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road is progressing (Image Source)

After years of neglect and frustration, motorists traveling the 435-kilometre Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road are beginning to see real progress. The long-awaited rehabilitation project—vital for tourism, trade, and local communities—is now visibly advancing across multiple sections.

“Soon we’ll be cruising on a smooth road instead of dusty detours,” said Besnart Dube, a local motorist, echoing the relief of thousands who rely on the route.

The road, a key artery connecting Zimbabwe’s second city to the world-famous Victoria Falls, is undergoing widening from 8 to 12 metres to improve safety and ease congestion. Five contractors have been assigned 50km stretches each: Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investments, Bitumen Resources, and Tensor Systems. Transport officials say the target is to deliver a road that meets international highway standards, boosting regional trade while revitalising Zimbabwe’s tourism economy.

Beyond transport, the project is also transforming lives along the route. Villagers report new opportunities as local youths secure employment through what many describe as transparent recruitment processes.

“Our youths are now working. The recruitment was fair and transparent,” said Auxillia Khumalo, a community leader in Benisi.

Local hiring is seen as a crucial way to ensure the project brings immediate benefits to surrounding communities. Despite progress, questions linger. Masimba Holdings has come under scrutiny, with allegations that it is sidelining local workers in favour of imported labour. Residents and civic groups are calling for stricter oversight to guarantee fair participation.

Government officials have promised to investigate and ensure compliance with community empowerment guidelines.

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road is more than a highway; it’s a gateway. Tourists heading to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World depend on it, while local businesses use it to move goods across southern Africa. Crumbling infrastructure has long hampered both sectors, with potholes and detours driving up costs and accidents.

Completion of the project could reinvigorate the tourism corridor, restore investor confidence, and symbolise Zimbabwe’s broader infrastructure renewal efforts.