Infrastructure the first priority for Zim’s future

Addressing the massive infrastructure backlog must be a priority for the new Zimbabwean president. According to Duncan Bonnett of Africa House there are significant project opportunities in the country but the lack of infrastructure is a major hindrance. “The infrastructure in the country is a pressing issue that has to be addressed,” he told FTW. “While it is still a lot better than that of many other African countries, there is a big backlog. If infrastructure can be addressed quickly the possibility of turning the country around faster increases.” He said what was positive was that unlike Angola or Mozambique where infrastructure had completely been destroyed by decades of war, Zimbabwe’s infrastructure skeleton was good and provided a good base to start from. “Anything from roads, rail, water, telecommunications and power needs to be addressed,” he said. “Mining is one industry that can and will kickstart the country’s economy but it needs the infrastructure.” Bonnett said Zimbabwe’s mining endowment remained impressive. “From a regional perspective, it is also a lot cheaper to mine than many of the other country offerings including South Africa. It is shallower and therefore easier and cheaper to access.” He said getting the necessary infrastructure – and policy certainty – in place could unlock the mining potential in a relatively fast time. “The same goes for agriculture. The potential in Zimbabwe is huge.” He said with commodity prices like copper, gold, platinum and coal showing improvement the outlook was very positive. “These commodity prices are not in the doldrums as was the case some 18 months ago.” But, said Bonnett, stable and improved commodity prices were just part of the equation. “Mnangagwa is going to have to invest in infrastructure quickly while at the same time creating a very stable operating environment.”