TREASURY has allocated ZiG 400 million for the completion of the Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi dams next year as the Government accelerates work on the flagship infrastructure projects to end water shortages in Bulawayo and Harare.
This year, the Government disbursed US$101 million for the construction of the two dams following a directive by President Mnangagwa for Treasury to release US$5 million monthly to fast-track progress on the two strategic projects.
For Kunzvi Dam, the funds will be used for excavation of the main dam, construction of houses for relocated households, and embankment placement on the main dam, while work at the Gwayi-Shangani Dam this year will include installation of formwork on the spillway of the main dam wall, concrete pouring for the mini-hydro power plant, and placement of concrete on the main dam.
Currently Gwayi- Shangani and Kunzvi dams are at 72 percent and 65 percent respectively.
According to the 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme, Government is set to prioritise the two dams are among the key deliverables under the Second Republic’s infrastructure development agenda.
“In 2025, a total of US$73 million was availed towards the construction of Kunzvi dam project which is now at 65 percent level of completion,” the document reads in part.
“The 2026 budget will prioritise the completion of the remaining works at Kunzvi dam project with an allocation of ZiG130,6 million being set aside for this purpose.”
In addition, the document said: “With regards to Gwayi-Shangani dam which is now at 72,4 percent US$25,3 million was availed during the year 2025.
“Completion of the Gwayi Shangani dam is projected for 2026, supported by a funding allocation of ZiG273 million.
“The allocation should enable the contractor to cover the remaining works covering the following: River sand screening which is still in progress on site, the remaining water supply intake excavations where a total of 17,305 cubic metres have so far been excavated, remaining fabrication of dam outlet pipe where a total of 101m of the outlet pipe has been installed on the dam.
“Installation of formwork on the spillway on the main dam wall, concrete pouring on the mini-hydro power plant, placing of concrete on the main dam, installation of reinforcement steel bars and formwork on the Mini-hydro and consolidation grouting at right bank abutment.”
Both dams are regarded as critical national projects expected to transform water security in Zimbabwe’s two largest cities once completed.
In the 2025 National Budget, Government allocated ZiG2 billion for dam construction countrywide, with Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi receiving the largest share.
The Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo Water Project includes construction of Lake Gwayi-Shangani, a 10MW mini-hydropower station and a 252-kilometre pipeline with six booster stations linking the dam to Cowdray Park in Bulawayo.
The project also incorporates a 220 megalitre-per-day water treatment plant and provision for 10 000 hectares of irrigation schemes along the pipeline route to benefit surrounding communities.
Similarly, Kunzvi Dam will not only augment Harare’s water supply but also support irrigation on at least 500 hectares of land and serve surrounding growth points and business centres such as Juru, Cross Musami and Majuru in Goromonzi District.
The two projects carry historical significance.
The Gwayi-Shangani Dam and pipeline form part of the long-awaited National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, first proposed in 1912, while the Kunzvi Dam was initially scheduled for construction in 1996.
Both projects finally took off after 2018, marking a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s push to deliver long-delayed infrastructure that supports economic growth, rural development and climate resilience.-herald
