US$1.05bn Cargo Village at RGM Set to Transform Zimbabwe’s Trade Landscape

Transvaal Africa plans a US$1.05 billion cargo village at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, aimed at boosting export capacity, creating thousands of jobs and positioning Zimbabwe as a regional trade and aviation hub (image source)

HARARE — Transvaal Africa has unveiled plans to invest US$1.05 billion in a state-of-the-art cargo village at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (RGM), a development expected to significantly enhance Zimbabwe’s export logistics, generate thousands of jobs and position the country as a regional aviation and trade hub.

The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) and will integrate modern air cargo infrastructure with Special Economic Zone (SEZ) incentives aimed at attracting investment and streamlining export processes. Transvaal chief executive Engineer Patson Moyo said development will begin with runway upgrades, followed by construction of a new cargo terminal, warehousing facilities and supporting amenities.

A core feature of the cargo village will be climate-controlled cold-chain infrastructure designed to preserve perishable agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to high-value international markets. Moyo said the project is intended to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural and mineral value chains while ensuring broader participation across the economy.

The facility has been designated an SEZ, offering incentives such as tax breaks, customs duty relief and expedited regulatory procedures. ACZ chief executive Tawanda Gusha said the cargo village is expected to increase the airport’s cargo handling capacity by between three and five times, while attracting light manufacturing, ICT and value-addition industries to the airport precinct. Plans also include construction of a secondary runway to ensure uninterrupted operations and accommodate anticipated growth in both passenger and freight traffic.

The development mirrors global trends that are transforming airports into integrated commercial and logistics hubs, with examples in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Dubai. Transvaal expects the RGM cargo village to serve a two-hour flight radius, consolidating exports for efficient shipment to Europe, the Middle East and other markets. Regulatory and environmental approvals have reportedly been secured, with remaining local permits nearing completion and groundbreaking targeted for the first quarter of 2026.

In line with national industrialisation objectives, at least 40 percent of construction work will be allocated to local firms. The project is projected to create about 3,000 direct jobs and up to 10,000 indirect jobs across construction, logistics, cold-chain management and ancillary services. It also complements recent government investments of US$153 million at RGM, which upgraded the terminal, aprons and supporting infrastructure.

Analysts say the cargo village could ease longstanding export bottlenecks, particularly for horticulture and agro-processing, by reducing lead times and spoilage. Improved air cargo capacity is also expected to benefit mineral exporters handling high-value, time-sensitive consignments. While financing, supply-chain integration and tariff competitiveness remain key risks, the project is widely viewed as a potential catalyst for trade growth and foreign direct investment if delivered as planned.