Transvaal to invest US$1bn into RGM airport cargo village

Transvaal Africa, a leading transport and logistics firm, is set to invest over US$1 billion in the development of a state-of-the-art cargo village at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (RGM) in Harare, in what is being described as a trade-transformative initiative for Zimbabwe.

The smart city facility, to be implemented under a public-private partnership with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), will provide integrated logistical services, including grading, sorting, packaging, and cold chain facilities. The cargo village will be designated a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), offering investor-friendly policies such as tax incentives, customs duty relief, and streamlined processes to boost trade and attract global investment.

Transvaal chief executive Engineer Patson Moyo said the project, slated for groundbreaking in the first quarter of 2026, had received all regulatory and environmental approvals, with the remaining local government permits nearly finalised.

"The total cost of the project is US$1.05 billion. It's going to be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe; the project will start with the runway, then the terminal, the warehousing, and then other amenities," Eng Moyo said. "The hub that we are creating is a conduit for exports. Zimbabwe is strong in minerals and agriculture, and this project will enhance the entire value chain, ensuring that no one is left behind."

Central to the facility will be climate-controlled cold chain units, enabling local farmers and exporters to preserve perishable goods, reduce waste, and access international markets efficiently. Eng Moyo highlighted that the project is aligned with global trends of developing airports into commercial hubs, pointing to examples in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Dubai.

In line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's economic development mantra, at least 40 percent of the construction work will be carried out by local firms, with the project expected to directly employ around 3,000 people and generate up to 10,000 indirect jobs.

The cargo village complements recent government investments of US$153 million at RGM International Airport, which added a new terminal, aprons, and infrastructure to boost capacity. ACZ CEO Tawanda Gusha said the initiative would transform the airport into a regional hub for both passenger and cargo services, supporting aircraft maintenance and other aviation-related services.

"We expect to increase the current cargo capacity by three to five times," Mr Gusha said. "This development will also attract light industries closer to the airport, particularly in ICT and manufacturing, facilitating efficient transport and export."

The project also includes a secondary runway, ensuring uninterrupted operations and supporting anticipated growth in passenger numbers and airline traffic. Mr Gusha said the ultimate goal is to make Zimbabwe a regional aviation hub that can compete with airports such as King Shaka in Durban, Lusaka International Airport, and others in Beira, Maputo, and Botswana.

"With our strategic location, we can consolidate cargo within a two-hour flight radius and ship it efficiently to Europe, the Middle East, and beyond," he added.

Once completed, Transvaal's smart city cargo village is expected to be a game-changer for Zimbabwe's trade capabilities, providing cutting-edge infrastructure, creating employment, and enhancing the country's position in global commerce.