Bulawayo plan to unlock 50 000 jobs

The City of Bulawayo could generate approximately 50 000 jobs and unlock about 1 242,5 hectares of industrial land through the full implementation of its proposed Local Development Plan Number 8 (LDP 8), a move expected to significantly boost the city's re-industrialisation drive.

LDP 8 provides a statutory policy framework for the management, redevelopment and orderly growth of Bulawayo's industrial areas over a 15 to 20-year period.

According to the latest council report from the Town Lands and Planning committee, Director of Town Planning Wisdom Siziba said the operative LDP 8 is currently under review to ensure alignment with prevailing economic and industrial trends, with the preparation of the study report and written statement now complete.

He said completion of these processes paves the way for submission for adoption and eventual public exhibition of the plan.

"The plan was prepared in terms of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act, and functions as the primary instrument for development control across the city's industrial zones," he said.

Council said the LDP preparation process reflects the city's commitment to transparency and inclusivity, ensuring that residents, business owners, investors and community organisations have an opportunity to engage with the proposals before the plan becomes operative.

According to council, the blueprint addresses six designated industrial zones covering service, light, light/service, general industry, warehousing and storage, as well as special industry.

It establishes integrated strategies for land use zoning, transportation, infrastructure servicing, environmental management and development control, positioning Bulawayo for sustainable industrial growth.

"If fully implemented, the strategy is projected to unlock approximately 1 242,5 hectares of industrial land, generate around 50 000 employment opportunities, and ensure that essential commercial, recreational and transport facilities are accessible to Bulawayo's industrial workforce and the broader community," the report noted.

The town planning department is spearheading the preparation of local development and subject plans aimed at fulfilling the broader vision of the city's Master Plan.

The Report of the Study for LDP 8 has already been presented to management, policymakers and external stakeholders, while the Written Statement was tabled before policymakers on January 20, 2026, and later shared with stakeholders on February 13, 2026.

"The final stages of consultation involve placing the plan on public exhibition for two months to allow for written submissions from all interested stakeholders. Thereafter, once all comments have been addressed, it will be sent for gazetting," council said.

The plan seeks to analyse existing land uses, public utilities, traffic conditions and transport systems, while investigating the potential for developing vacant land within the built-up area.

It also aims to optimise the use of limited urban land and revive commercial activity through the creation of transit corridors and the upgrading of existing commercial centres.

Further, the blueprint is designed to protect and rationalise industrial land, unlock under-utilised sites for productive use, and guide critical infrastructure upgrades, including roads, water, sewer and power.

Authorities said the plan will also ensure compatibility between industrial, residential, institutional and commercial land uses while managing environmental impacts.

In addition, LDP 8 seeks to support the growth of small to medium enterprises and emerging industries through appropriate zoning and infrastructure provision.

It also aims to protect key transport corridors and facilitate the efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods through rail, road and air, strengthening Bulawayo's position as an industrial hub.

Industrialists have welcomed the initiative, saying unlocking idle industrial land is critical for reviving the city's manufacturing base and attracting new investment.

Industrialist Farai Dube said vast tracts of under-utilised land had become a drag on the city's economic potential.

"Bulawayo has significant idle industrial land which, if properly serviced and made available under a clear policy framework, can attract both domestic and foreign investors. Unlocking this land is key to restoring the city's status as the country's industrial hub," he said.

"Investors are always looking for clarity in terms of zoning, infrastructure and regulatory processes. LDP 8 provides that certainty and creates an enabling environment for companies to set up operations and expand," he added.

He said the initiative dovetails with broader efforts to re-industrialise the region.

"Re-industrialisation cannot happen without land and infrastructure. By unlocking idle industrial space and aligning it with infrastructure development, the city is laying a solid foundation for sustainable industrial growth and job creation," he said.