Press Statement by JICA and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
The construction stage of Phase 2 of the road improvement of the North-South Corridor between Makuti and Hell’s Gate (Mana Pools turnoff) is set to begin, with cooperation of Japan amounting to US$ 17.44 million (2,389 million Japanese yen).
Exchange of Notes and Grant Agreement documents were signed to this effect by the Honourable Prof. Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; the Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe, H.E. Mr Shinichi Yamanaka; and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative to Zimbabwe, Mr Shigeki Furuta.
The project will be supervised by JICA engineers and implemented by road-working teams of the Department of Roads in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
The North-South Corridor is a vital international trunk road, essential for Zimbabwe’s trade with neighbouring countries and regional trade, and forecast by the AU to become one of the continent’s busiest transport corridors by 2040.
With the increased promotion of regional economic integration through SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it has become even more imperative to facilitate trade with neighbouring countries. Japan and African countries reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring quality infrastructure along the important trade corridors at the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), held in Tunisia in August 2022.
This section of road between Makuti and Hell’s Gate, with its steep gradients and sharp hairpin bends, coupled with the increasing number of heavy trucks transporting goods to and from Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, had become a major bottleneck of the North-South Corridor. It had a high accident rate and slow-moving traffic.
Phase 1 of the project, also funded by Japan, improved a 6.5 km section between Marongora and Hell’s Gate. It was opened in May 2021 by H.E. President Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa. Phase 2 will improve the remaining 7.8 km section between Makuti and Marongora.
The Phase 2 project scope will comprise the widening of curves, improvement of the vertical and horizontal alignment and construction of hill-climbing lanes. Other works include the construction of drainage and safety facilities such as crash barriers and road signs. As with Phase 1, the latest technology in road construction will be used.
In its development cooperation, Japan incorporates the principles of Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII), ensuring that the new section is well-built and resilient with minimal environmental impacts. It will be economically efficient considering life-cycle costs and fulfil its functions for many years to come.
The project will also strengthen the capacity of staff of the Department of Roads, through sharing of Japan’s expertise in traffic safety measures, road improvement and maintenance.
The aim of both Phase 1 and 2 projects is to reduce traffic accidents, relieve traffic congestion and shorten travel time on this dangerous section. It is envisaged that, through this project, this section’s transit time will be reduced by around 9 minutes, the number of accidents will be reduced from the current 61 per year to 10, and there will be safe and smooth passage as well as increased capacity of up to approximately 610,000 passengers and 5.18 million tonnes of cargo per year.
By alleviating a major bottleneck on the North-South Corridor, the project will facilitate regional trade and integration as well as promote Zimbabwe’s economic and social development.
To ease another bottleneck of the corridor, that of delays at Chirundu One-Stop Border Post, JICA is currently implementing a project to enable the smooth movement of people and goods through the border.
It will strengthen the capacity of customs, immigration and other border officials in terms of increasing border efficiencies.
Through incorporating the principles of QII in its cooperation with Zimbabwe, Japan will continue to support well-built and resilient infrastructure that improves regional integration, and that has a maximum positive impact on achieving sustainable growth and development for the country.