Victoria Falls US$4m reservoir nears completion

The project was launched in June last year as part of a grander US$18m Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) undertaking developed to permanently end water problems in the resort city.

It is aimed at improving the standard of living for residents by supplying reliable clean and safe water for longer periods and increasing water pressure levels.

Victoria Falls Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube, said it would be ready by June 30.

“It is not the reservoir that people should look at, the project is massive. We have done 11km out of 13km of pipework as we are upgrading the pump station to put in a new one and deal with the issue of water pressure.

“The final figure is US$4,5 million, which we raised on our own and we are confident we will complete the project,” he said.

On site, there is massive construction taking place with structures nearing completion. The project is expected to improve water supplies in line with aspirations of the Second Republic implemented through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) towards Vision 2030.

According to the city engineer, Mrs Sherinah Sibanda, the scope of the project includes upgrading of Aerodrome pump station and pumping lines, construction of a new five mega litres ground tank and 0,75 mega litres elevated tank to allow for pumping by gravity and strengthening of weak zones characterised by construction of 13km of new pipelines.

Over 40 percent of properties in Mkhosana and other high lying areas are not getting water consistently.

The completion of the project will result in over 98 percent of residents getting reliable water supply.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo, praised the scheme and said it was a demonstration of several Governmental efforts to meet Zimbabweans’ fundamental human right to clean water and improve their livelihoods by 2030.

The rapid growth of the city in terms of properties, hotels and population has put pressure on water supply, sewerage services, solid waste, roads and drainage.

Source: Victoria Falls US$4m reservoir nears completion (29/03/24)

Zambia and Zimbabwe to retender $5bn Batoka Gorge hydropower plant

Bids will be received by April 2025, with selection taking place by September.

Zambia and Zimbabwe are planning to retender the Batoka Gorge hydropower project with an estimated value of $5bn and a capacity of 2.4GW, Bloomberg has reported.

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA), a joint venture between the two countries, is set to receive bids by April 2025, with the new potential developers expected by September of the same year.

The ZRA, which maintains the Kariba Dam complex, is preparing for an influx of proposals from interested developers.

 The Batoka Gorge hydropower plant is planned for a site on the Zambezi River, 54km downstream from Victoria Falls, straddling the border between the two nations.

The project was initially awarded to General Electric (GE) and Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China) but has since been subject to retendering.

Originally set to commence in 2020, it has faced multiple setbacks including the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges in obtaining financial backing.

 In June 2023, Zambian Energy Minister Peter Kapala announced the country’s withdrawal from the 2019 agreement with GE and Power China, citing irregularities in the procurement process.

The southern African region is currently experiencing a severe drought attributed to the El Niño weather pattern, leading to increased food prices and impacting low-income families. Zambia has declared this a national disaster.

ZRA CEO Munyaradzi Munodawafa states that developing water reserve buffers is a priority.

Munodawafa was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “Additional hydroelectric schemes will facilitate reservoir regulation for power generation and flood management.

“This means generation will be increased at Batoka during the peak season while water will be banked at the Kariba Dam for use during the dry season.”

Despite falling water levels at the Kariba Dam, which is shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, Munodawafa has dismissed the possibility of decommissioning the facility.

For the remainder of 2024, the ZRA has apportioned eight billion cubic metres of water to Zambian power utility Zesco and Zimbabwe Power. This will enable each to generate 214MW of electricity.

Munodawafa went on: “Batoka will serve as a mitigation measure to some of the hydrological problems at Kariba, while at the same time directly contributing a significant increase to the desperately needed power supply capacity of Zambia and Zimbabwe.”

 Source:  Zambia and Zimbabwe to retender $5bn Batoka Gorge hydropower plant (26/03/24) 

Victoria Falls: US$200 million tourism project comes alive

THE implementation of Masuwe special economic zone in Victoria Falls is well on course following the completion of a feasibility study by Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company, a Cabinet Minister has said.

In a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said the project will be implemented in two phases.

“Phase One entails the construction of bulk water supply systems for the entire Masuwe Special Economic Zone and the development of internal water, sanitation, roads and storm-water drains at an estimated cost of US$120 million,” she said.

“Phase Two will witness the development of the remaining 930 hectares at approximately US$85 million.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said the project, which is expected to be completed within two years, is meant to boost tourism activities in the area.

Meanwhile, Old Mutual Life Assurance is set to construct a 4-star hotel in the same zone.

“The nation is further being informed that Old Mutual Life Assurance Company will construct a 4-star hotel with a 5 000-seater conference facility, medical tourism facilities, a golf estate and a shopping mall on land which Government will allocate,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“The project will comply with all relevant environmental statutes, including the use of solar to provide clean energy.”

Source: US$200 million tourism project comes alive (22/03/24)

Zimbabwe's tourism revenue rises to US$1 billion in 2023

ZIMBABWE’S tourism receipts increased by a remarkable 22 percent last year to reach US$1,1 billion, while international tourist arrivals stood at 1,6 million, up from one million in 2022, signalling a strong recovery of the sector following a devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

The tourism industry, which is one of the country’s major economic sectors contributing at least 5 percent to the gross domestic product, was hardest hit as the world imposed travel restrictions and national lockdowns to combat Covid-19, a respiratory infection that was first detected in China in December 2019 before spreading worldwide.

In 2022, the sector recorded US$911 million in revenues.

Since the lifting of travel restrictions and national lockdowns by the World Health Organisation in 2022, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector and that of the globe have been on a major rebound as people visited the country on business and educational missions, as well as leisure activities like safari hunting and sporting.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation, through its world tourism barometer, indicated that international tourism ended last year at 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with an estimated 1,3 billion international arrivals.

The world tourism body attributed this to the reopening of international borders and increased marketing of destinations by most countries across the globe.

Prior to the pandemic, Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts were US$1,25 billion in 2018, while arrivals were at an all-time high of 2,6 million.

According to statistics leaked to this publication from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the tourists were mainly from the traditional source markets — Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

...

The statistics also indicate that the value of investments into the tourism sector last year declined by 45 percent to US$172 million from US$312,5 million in the prior year.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail Business, Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe president Mr Wengayi Nhau said, from the above international tourist arrival statistics, the country’s tourism sector is on a sound path to recovery.

“As you might have also noticed, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion reported that the tourism sector in the month of January to September of 2023 was the highest contributor to the GDP at 12,1 percent. This was ahead of mining, agriculture and manufacturing,” said Mr Nhau.

“So, getting just that statement from the Ministry of Finance that we were the highest contributor means a lot in terms of the recovery compared to where we were pre-pandemic levels in terms of our contribution, as well as general performance of the sector.

“There is quite a lot of improvement in terms of arrivals, in terms of the money generated and people are spending a little bit longer than they were spending before the pre-pandemic period.

“We are also on a drive to increase the length of stay — it’s not about the number of people who come to a country, you might still get one million people coming into a country but spending an average of 10 nights per person. That gives you much more in terms of revenue than from 1,5 million who are coming and staying an average of three nights.”

Mr Nhau said the local tourism industry needs to continue implementing measures that ensure tourists increase the number of days they stay in the country.

“Like we are doing, collaborating with different destinations. Victoria Falls and Kariba are collaborating a lot, Harare and Kariba are collaborating a lot and also Bulawayo and Victoria Falls are collaborating so that when people arrive in Harare they can then go to Mana Pools, Kariba, Victoria Falls . . . that gives us more nights and more revenue and, of course, investments,” he said.

As part of efforts to increase the length of stay in Zimbabwe by tourists, Mr Nhau said some tourism facilities in resort centres such as Kariba were being resuscitated.

Source: Zimbabwe's tourism revenue rises to US$1 billion in 2023null (17/03/24)

Zim, Zambia broaden cooperation

 ZIMBABWE and Zambia yesterday kicked off the 18th session of the two countries’ Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), with both SADC member-states pledging to build on the already existing cordial bilateral relations.

The two countries’ relations continue to grow in leaps and bounds as cooperation across various sectors is on an upward trend.

The previous JPCC between the two countries saw various agreements being signed including MoUs on the establishment of the Victoria Falls-Livingstone One-Stop Border post, an MoU concerning cooperation on the management and preservation of Zimbabwe Liberation War gravesites, another on culture and one on gender equity, equality, and women economic empowerment, among others.

These subsequently set the tone for the 18th session which will see more agreements being signed in various areas.

Addressing delegates at the official opening of the session in Harare yesterday, acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and international Trade Ambassador Rofina Chikava said Harare and Lusaka shared a strong bond that transcends boundaries.

This, she said, had been evidenced by Zambia’s recent call for a total removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

“Co-chair, let me start by acknowledging the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Zambia. Characterised by high-level visits between the two countries, these relations have continued to grow and can be traced back to the times when Zimbabwe was fighting for liberation from the colonial Britain.

“In the post-colonial, the two countries have continued to enjoy strong diplomatic ties and co-operation in various sectors. We acknowledge and applaud our dear brothers in Zambia for standing with us in calling for the removal of all sanctions imposed on our country.

“Let me also highlight the bilateral history between Zimbabwe and Zambia, which has a significant impact on the political, economic, and social development of both countries,” she said.

Ambassador Chikava said the two countries continue to cooperate not only on regional issues, but also on various international fora which have furthered their solidarity and shared identity.

“Zimbabwe and Zambia have supported each other in various international forums, advocating for common interests and promoting peace and stability in the region. The two countries continue to witness cultural exchanges and people-to-people interaction, further strengthening the ties between Zimbabwe and Zambia and fostering a sense of solidarity and shared identity.

“Educational exchanges, joint research projects, and sports competitions have all contributed immensely in the connection between the two nations, enhancing the mutual understanding and cooperation.

“Co-chair, we were sharing when we were sitting in our tête-à-tête meeting that even at football, we can fight as Zambia and Zimbabwe, if one goes forward, the other country supports the other for the integrity of our two countries,” she said.

Zimbabwe and Zambia, said Ambassador Chikava, were making concerted efforts to mitigate their respective citizenry from climate change effects.

Thus the cushioning of both peoples was a top priority.

Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Etambuyu Gundersen said the two countries would continue enhancing their co-operation for their mutual benefit.

“You will recall that at the last session which was held in Lusaka in 2018, our two sides agreed to enhance co-operation in various areas.

“These include foreign affairs, tourism, energy, trade, industry, finance, agriculture, infrastructure, transport and communications, livestock and fisheries, education, as well as youth and sport, just to mention a few.

“Since then, we are still collaborating on the implementation and operationalisation of specific programmes, such as the one you mentioned, Victoria Falls-Livingstone One-Stop Border Post, in addition to the harmonisation of ICT systems at Chirundu, Kariba and Victoria Falls borders, among others,” she said.

Source: Zim, Zambia broaden cooperation (14/03/2024)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (11th October 2017) Zim engages Zambia on one border post.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (25th October 2018) Zim, Zambia sign four MoUs.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (28th January 2019) Land Shortage Hits Zimra’s Victoria Falls Border Project.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th February 2019) Zimbabwe and Zambia to set up one-stop border post in Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th March 2024) Zim, Zambia broaden cooperation.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th November 2025) Zimbabwe Extends Victoria Falls Border Post Hours To 24/7.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th November 2025) Mnangagwa, Hichilema co-chair Zimbabwe-Zambia BNC.