Major energy, industrialisation and housing projects in Midlands Province are progressing, with authorities expecting the investments to strengthen electricity generation, expand domestic cement production and create employment as Zimbabwe advances towards its Vision 2030 targets.
The Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects, Dr Jorum Gumbo, toured the projects in Gweru, yesterday, to assess implementation progress and identify their contribution to national development.
At the 100-megawatt Huoyuntoung Solar Power Plant, of the planned 160,000 solar panels, 120 000 solar panels had been installed, representing 75% completion. Land preparation has been completed, while the step-up station and substation are 90% complete. Commissioning is scheduled for June 2027.
Dr Gumbo said the project demonstrated the importance of investing in renewable energy to meet growing electricity demand and support industrial activity.
“Projects of this nature are critical to strengthening our energy security and providing the power required to drive economic growth. As we monitor implementation, our focus is on ensuring that the work progresses according to schedule and delivers the intended benefits to the country,” he said.
The solar project has created approximately 600 jobs, largely benefiting young people and local workers, providing employment opportunities during construction.
Dr Gumbo also toured the WIH Zim Cement Manufacturing Plant, a wholly Chinese-owned investment valued at US$6.6 million in disbursed funding. The facility is expected to be completed in April 2027 and produce 800,000 tonnes of cement annually.
“Local manufacturing investments are essential in building productive capacity, creating employment and supplying industries with materials needed for infrastructure development. We want to see these projects completed and contributing meaningfully to the economy,” he said.
The cement plant is expected to create approximately 800 jobs, further expanding employment opportunities in the province.
At the Senga Housing Project, Dr Gumbo assessed construction of four four-storey residential blocks comprising 64 housing units, which will contribute to housing delivery in Gweru.
“Effective monitoring is necessary to ensure that development projects translated into tangible benefits for communities,” Dr Gumbo said.
The projects form part of efforts to accelerate infrastructure development, stimulate investment and achieve Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 goal of attaining an upper-middle-income economy.
