News / National
Harare gets green light for US$3bn light rail project
2 hrs ago |
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THE Government has approved a US$3 billion Harare Light Rail Project, setting the stage for the development of a modern mass transit system that will link the central business district (CBD) with major suburbs, Chitungwiza, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (RGMIA) and the new city in Mt Hampden.
The project has been approved by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and granted National Project Status, making it one of Zimbabwe's largest planned urban transport investments in decades. The development is expected to transform public transport in Greater Harare while supporting the city's preparations to host the 2029 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
National Project Status recognises the railway as a strategic infrastructure development, allowing it to benefit from expedited investment facilitation, coordinated Government support and streamlined regulatory approvals.
The railway will be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP), with the investor currently mobilising approximately US$5 million for project preparation through support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The funding will cover feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental and social impact assessments, and transaction advisory services before construction commences.
Harare City Council Acting Director of Town Planning Engineer Samuel Nyabeza said the project is expected to be completed within five years.
"The project has already been approved by ZIDA and has been accorded National Project Status. It is being spearheaded through a partnership involving Government, local authorities and private sector players," he said.
"The investor is currently mobilising approximately US$5 million required for project preparations, with funding support expected from the African Development Bank."
Eng Nyabeza said the project would be implemented in five phases at an estimated total cost of US$3 billion.
Phase One, valued at approximately US$1 billion, will involve constructing the first rail corridor between Harare's CBD and Kuwadzana. The phase will include elevated railway sections, battery-powered and solar-powered trains, modern passenger stations and the project's main maintenance depot.
The second phase will extend the railway to Highfield and Chitungwiza, while the third phase will connect the city centre with Mabvuku-Tafara. Phase Four will link Cranborne with the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, while the fifth and final phase will connect Kuwadzana with the new city in Mt Hampden.
Once completed, the light rail network is expected to become the backbone of Harare's long-term transport master plan by linking residential suburbs with industrial areas, commercial centres, Government institutions and major economic corridors.
The railway will also integrate with the city's expanding public bus network, allowing buses to provide feeder services to rail stations while trains transport large numbers of commuters over longer distances. Government has already procured more than 200 buses under its public transport modernisation programme as part of efforts to establish an integrated urban transport system.
Harare Acting Town Clerk Advocate Warren Chiwawa said the municipality's primary responsibility is to ensure that the planning framework is in place rather than directly constructing the railway.
"The proposed Harare Light Rail Network is part of the city's long-term plan to improve urban transport and connect key parts of the city, including the CBD, residential areas, industrial zones and major economic corridors," he said.
Adv Chiwawa stressed that the railway is a national infrastructure project requiring collaboration between Government ministries, State entities and private investors.
"It is important to clarify that this is not a project that the City of Harare can implement on its own. The development of a light rail system is a national-level infrastructure project that will be undertaken in collaboration with relevant Government ministries and State entities responsible for rail transport and major infrastructure development, with possible participation from private sector partners through public-private partnerships," he said.
He said the city's immediate role is to safeguard transport corridors, align land-use planning with future rail routes, facilitate feasibility studies and process municipal approvals.
The light rail project forms part of a broader urban renewal programme aimed at preparing Harare to host the 2029 Intra-African Trade Fair, one of Africa's largest trade and investment events.
The city expects to welcome more than 2,100 exhibitors and over 110,000 international delegates.
Preparations also include the construction of a new convention centre with capacity for between 8,000 and 15,000 delegates at Robert Mugabe Square, expansion of hotel accommodation, development of modern exhibition facilities and increased private sector investment in hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments.
Adv Chiwawa said the establishment of the IATF Secretariat had highlighted a significant accommodation deficit.
"The establishment of the IATFCO Secretariat has exposed a critical gap: Harare currently faces a shortfall of approximately 11,000 hotel rooms," he said.
"We also need high-end hospitality investment, including three-star and above hotels and a flagship 200-bed hotel with at least 10 presidential suites for Heads of State and dignitaries."
He added that public-private partnerships would play a central role in financing many of the city's infrastructure projects.
Harare previously operated an extensive commuter rail service managed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe, with suburban trains linking the city centre to Ruwa, Tynwald, Dzivaresekwa, Norton and surrounding communities during the 1980s and much of the 1990s. However, years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and operational challenges led to the gradual decline and eventual collapse of the commuter rail network.
Authorities believe the proposed light rail system will restore efficient mass public transport, reduce traffic congestion, shorten commuting times and support long-term economic growth in the capital.
The project has been approved by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) and granted National Project Status, making it one of Zimbabwe's largest planned urban transport investments in decades. The development is expected to transform public transport in Greater Harare while supporting the city's preparations to host the 2029 Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
National Project Status recognises the railway as a strategic infrastructure development, allowing it to benefit from expedited investment facilitation, coordinated Government support and streamlined regulatory approvals.
The railway will be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP), with the investor currently mobilising approximately US$5 million for project preparation through support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The funding will cover feasibility studies, engineering designs, environmental and social impact assessments, and transaction advisory services before construction commences.
Harare City Council Acting Director of Town Planning Engineer Samuel Nyabeza said the project is expected to be completed within five years.
"The project has already been approved by ZIDA and has been accorded National Project Status. It is being spearheaded through a partnership involving Government, local authorities and private sector players," he said.
"The investor is currently mobilising approximately US$5 million required for project preparations, with funding support expected from the African Development Bank."
Eng Nyabeza said the project would be implemented in five phases at an estimated total cost of US$3 billion.
Phase One, valued at approximately US$1 billion, will involve constructing the first rail corridor between Harare's CBD and Kuwadzana. The phase will include elevated railway sections, battery-powered and solar-powered trains, modern passenger stations and the project's main maintenance depot.
The second phase will extend the railway to Highfield and Chitungwiza, while the third phase will connect the city centre with Mabvuku-Tafara. Phase Four will link Cranborne with the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, while the fifth and final phase will connect Kuwadzana with the new city in Mt Hampden.
Once completed, the light rail network is expected to become the backbone of Harare's long-term transport master plan by linking residential suburbs with industrial areas, commercial centres, Government institutions and major economic corridors.
The railway will also integrate with the city's expanding public bus network, allowing buses to provide feeder services to rail stations while trains transport large numbers of commuters over longer distances. Government has already procured more than 200 buses under its public transport modernisation programme as part of efforts to establish an integrated urban transport system.
"The proposed Harare Light Rail Network is part of the city's long-term plan to improve urban transport and connect key parts of the city, including the CBD, residential areas, industrial zones and major economic corridors," he said.
Adv Chiwawa stressed that the railway is a national infrastructure project requiring collaboration between Government ministries, State entities and private investors.
"It is important to clarify that this is not a project that the City of Harare can implement on its own. The development of a light rail system is a national-level infrastructure project that will be undertaken in collaboration with relevant Government ministries and State entities responsible for rail transport and major infrastructure development, with possible participation from private sector partners through public-private partnerships," he said.
He said the city's immediate role is to safeguard transport corridors, align land-use planning with future rail routes, facilitate feasibility studies and process municipal approvals.
The light rail project forms part of a broader urban renewal programme aimed at preparing Harare to host the 2029 Intra-African Trade Fair, one of Africa's largest trade and investment events.
The city expects to welcome more than 2,100 exhibitors and over 110,000 international delegates.
Preparations also include the construction of a new convention centre with capacity for between 8,000 and 15,000 delegates at Robert Mugabe Square, expansion of hotel accommodation, development of modern exhibition facilities and increased private sector investment in hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments.
Adv Chiwawa said the establishment of the IATF Secretariat had highlighted a significant accommodation deficit.
"The establishment of the IATFCO Secretariat has exposed a critical gap: Harare currently faces a shortfall of approximately 11,000 hotel rooms," he said.
"We also need high-end hospitality investment, including three-star and above hotels and a flagship 200-bed hotel with at least 10 presidential suites for Heads of State and dignitaries."
He added that public-private partnerships would play a central role in financing many of the city's infrastructure projects.
Harare previously operated an extensive commuter rail service managed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe, with suburban trains linking the city centre to Ruwa, Tynwald, Dzivaresekwa, Norton and surrounding communities during the 1980s and much of the 1990s. However, years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and operational challenges led to the gradual decline and eventual collapse of the commuter rail network.
Authorities believe the proposed light rail system will restore efficient mass public transport, reduce traffic congestion, shorten commuting times and support long-term economic growth in the capital.
Source - heraldonline
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