AfDB and Govt Join Forces: Chombo Unveils Development Push

By Elvis Dumba

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo, has announced that Mashonaland West Province is making steady progress in driving the national transformation agenda under Vision 2030 and the Devolution Framework.

This progress is courtesy of support from the government and development partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations family.

Chombo highlighted that the province is actively implementing the Rural Development programmes announced by President His Excellency Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, with 141 Village Business Units (VBUs) established so far, 83 already completed and 58 under construction.

These VBUs are empowering communities through horticulture, irrigation, and value‑addition projects, transforming rural livelihoods and serving as models for inclusive local economic development.

The Minister shared these updates with the Executive Director of the AfDB, Dr Eugenio Paulo, and his delegation during a courtesy call.

The delegation’s visit included tours of key projects such as the Alaska Power Sub‑Station in Karoi and visits to successful farms, Mr Chirinda and Mapfoche farms, to gauge progress toward economic development.

Dr Paulo pledged the AfDB’s commitment to helping Zimbabwe clear its foreign debts, unlocking further lines of credit for future projects.

This visit by AfDB’s top leadership underscores the country’s commitment towards economic development in line with the government’s National Development Strategy towards an upper middle income society by 2030, and it’s a reflection of the country’s good relations with international agencies, showing their confidence in the country.