The Zimbabwean government has confirmed that no new debt was incurred to fund the recent infrastructure projects completed ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit.
Permanent Secretary for Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Mr. George Guvamatanga, made the clarification during a breakfast meeting organized by the Zimbabwe Economics Society and Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung.
Mr. Guvamatanga explained that many of the roadworks seen in the capital and surrounding areas were part of pre-existing contracts, not new projects initiated specifically for the SADC event. He cited the Harare-Kanyemba Road project as an example, noting that it was approved by Parliament and had already been gazetted, with financing structures in place prior to the summit.
“There has been some speculation that these projects were rushed or initiated due to the SADC Summit. This is not the case. For instance, the roadworks along Julius Nyerere, Lomagundi, and other routes were part of the larger Harare-Chirundu and Harare-Kanyemba projects,” Mr. Guvamatanga said.
He emphasized that the government strategically utilized existing contracts to complete the infrastructure improvements in time for the summit, without taking on new financial obligations. The only significant project directly linked to facilitating passage during the SADC Summit, according to Mr. Guvamatanga, involved the upgrade of specific roads, including the Airport Road.
“The total cost for these infrastructure upgrades amounted to approximately USD 150 million, and this expenditure has been settled. There is no outstanding debt related to these projects,” he added. “Any debts associated with these infrastructure works are properly structured and agreed upon with contractors and suppliers, ensuring that the government’s financial commitments are manageable.”
