Chiwenga seeks mining company partnerships to revive National Railways of Zimbabwe
via NewsDay Zimbabwe6 min read
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga announced the government's intention to partner with mining companies and other bulk commodity movers to revitalize the National Railways of Zimbabwe NRZ. Speaking at the International Business Conference during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, Chiwenga highlighted the government's commitment to policy consistency and fiscal discipline through reforms. He stated that the government plans to rehabilitate and expand major road networks and regional trade corridors. The proposed railway line revamps include Victoria Falls-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Dabuka, Dabuka-Rutenga-Beitbridge, and Chiredzi-Mvuma-Dabuka, aiming to address the demand for bulk goods transport and decongest roads. Chiwenga also invited partnerships for key railway corridors such as Lions Den to Kafue in Zambia, Plumtree-Dabuka-Chicualacuala, Harare-Bindura-Moatize in Mozambique, Kadoma-Sengwa, Mutare-Mkwasine, and Dorowa-Nyazura. Additionally, he mentioned the revitalization of the domestic automotive industry through a strategic partnership between Willowvale Motor Industries and Leyland to produce custom-built buses, with production expected to start in Harare by late 2026. Chiwenga emphasized that Zimbabwe will prioritize in-country value-addition and beneficiation over exporting raw resources and called on the private sector to collaborate on energy, transport, and digital infrastructure development.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Must ReadDespite the African Continental Free Trade Area's significant potential to drive economic development, a limited understanding of its technical provisions and practical applications continues to slow full adoption by businesses. This initiative aims to address these challenges and encourage local firms to participate more actively in intra-African trade.
Must ReadThe European Union and Germany are increasing their support for Zimbabwe's aquaculture sector through a €207 million facility aimed at sustainable agricultural value chains. This initiative aligns with the EU's Team Europe and Global Gateway strategies. The aquaculture industry in Zimbabwe is projected to reach US$2.37 billion by 2030, a revised estimate from an earlier US$1 billion, following a National Aquaculture Frame Survey conducted since 2024. EU Head of Cooperation Anna Cichocka highlighted aquaculture's potential to link food security and rural livelihoods with private sector development. Part of the funding will also support the FISH4ACP program, a joint EU and German initiative promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chains in African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries. Agriculture Permanent Secretary Prof Obert Jiri stated the government's goal to increase fish production from 35,515 tonnes last year to 60,000 tonnes by 2030, a 69% rise under the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2. Opportunities for investment include hatchery development, feed production, cold chain systems, processing facilities, and market infrastructure. Despite growing domestic demand, Zimbabwe imports significant volumes of fish, indicating market opportunities. The government's rollout of 35,000 Village and School Business Units is already boosting aquaculture activity in rural areas. Dr Patrice Talla, Food and Agriculture Organization Subregional Coor
Must ReadThe Movement for Democratic Change MDC has reported that seven of its members were abducted in Chitungwiza. This incident occurred in advance of a planned demonstration. The article provides no further details regarding the abductions or the nature of the planned demonstration.
Zimbabwe's tax agency, ZIMRA, has introduced a voluntary disclosure program for the 2025 assessment year, aiming to broaden the tax base and enhance compliance. This initiative invites individuals and businesses to declare previously undeclared income or unfulfilled tax obligations without disrupting operations. The program covers all economic sectors, from micro-enterprises to large corporations, with a specific focus on informal trading, rental income, digital services, crypto transactions, and cross-border earnings. Full and truthful disclosures will result in a waiver of penalties and will not automatically trigger an audit or prosecution, though interest on outstanding tax will still apply. The voluntary disclosure window closes on June 30, 2026, after which non-compliant taxpayers will face enforcement measures. This program is part of ZIMRA's ongoing efforts to improve revenue collection, particularly from the informal sector and the growing digital economy, as the government seeks to stabilize revenues.