In preparation for the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, Zimbabwe has embarked on a significant upgrade of its road infrastructure in and around Harare. The 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government is set to take place on 17 August, with Harare also hosting the SADC Industrialization Week from 28 July to 2 August at the Harare International Conference Center.
The SADC, comprising 16 member countries including Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, will gather to discuss regional development and cooperation.
Among the most notable infrastructural developments is the completion of the main road leading to the newly constructed Chinese-built parliament building, where the summit will be held. Landscaping efforts around this area are currently in progress. Local residents have expressed their approval of the improvements. “It’s a welcome development. At least we will now spend less time on the roads with smooth traffic,” remarked Wish Gahadza, a Harare resident, to Xinhua on Saturday.
Tachiveyi Mukonorwi, another resident, highlighted the broader economic benefits of the road rehabilitation. “The good thing is that we are mobilising domestic resources to build our infrastructure,” he stated, emphasising the potential for economic growth stimulated by improved highways.
Other roads leading to the new parliament building are either completed or under active reconstruction. The six-storey parliament complex, situated on Mount Hampden on the outskirts of Harare, was officially handed over to Zimbabwe in October 2023.
Further efforts include the rehabilitation of roads connecting the new parliament building to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, ensuring smoother transit for international delegates. Additionally, the government is upgrading the Harare-Chirundu highway, which is a vital link between Harare and neighbouring Zambia.
As Harare prepares to welcome over 150 companies from across the SADC region, the enhanced infrastructure is expected to facilitate smoother transportation and logistics, fostering a more conducive environment for regional cooperation and industrialisation discussions.
