By Desire Tshuma
Harare — The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable F.T. Mhona (MP), has challenged the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) to improve how it manages money, strengthens accountability and ensures roads are properly funded.
In his address at the 10th ZINARA Annual General Meeting held on 20 October 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Harare, Mhona said reliable and steady funding is important for planning, buying materials and carrying out road maintenance and development projects.
“Predictable and sustainable funding is critical for planning, procurement and implementation of road maintenance and development programmes,” Mhona said.
He said ZINARA must make sure the country has a road network that works well, can be relied on, and supports trade, infrastructure development and economic growth.
“Our mandate is to ensure an efficient, reliable and resilient road network that supports trade, infrastructure development and economic growth,” he said.
Mhona said the meeting came at an important time as the country speeds up its national development plans and its target to become an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
He said ZINARA must remain committed to the national development plan and the National Road Development Programme, and work with road authorities to make sure key road projects are completed properly and on time.
“We must work with road authorities to ensure that key road infrastructure projects proceed with resolve and excellence,” Mhona said.
He emphasised that road maintenance and rehabilitation is essential to economic growth and the movement of people and goods, and called for more money to be released to road authorities to improve the quality of roads across the country.
“Road maintenance and rehabilitation is essential to economic growth and the movement of people and goods,” he said.
The Minister said Government is undertaking changes to strengthen institutions, with ZINARA expected to play a central role in the country’s road development agenda.
He commended the ZINARA Board, management and staff for their efforts in strengthening financial management and good governance, particularly the achievement of clean audits and sound financial management.
“I commend the Board, management and staff for strengthening financial management and corporate governance, particularly the achievement of clean audits,” Mhona said.
He said financial statements must continue to strengthen internal controls and accountability and build confidence among Government, road authorities and stakeholders.
Mhona also challenged ZINARA to embrace technology to improve service delivery, particularly in tolling, licensing and road user fee collection.
“We must embrace digital transformation to improve customer experience, particularly in tolling, licensing and road user fee collection,” he said.
He said Government expects public institutions to continuously improve service delivery, with technology playing a key role in improving transparency, efficiency and accountability.
In conclusion, Mhona reaffirmed Government’s commitment to supporting transport infrastructure, and said Zimbabwe will continue to be guided by its long-term development vision to build a prosperous nation.
He thanked the ZINARA Board, management and staff for their work and called for renewed dedication to building a road network that serves the people and drives economic growth.
“We must build a road network that serves the people and drives economic growth,” Mhona said.