A project is currently underway to develop an optic fibre telecommunications link between the cities of Harare and Mutare in Zimbabwe. Mutare is near the border with Mozambique.
This is a national priority project as the route is a strategic component of the envisaged ‘National Transmission Backbone.’
Africom Continental (the special purpose vehicle company formed to spearhead the development) has made significant progress with the project but is now behind schedule due to cost overruns associated with the previous hyperinflationary environment. Additional funding is required to complete the project.
The civil works for this particular project were handled internally using the flexible firm concept with locals being employed for some of the labour intensive tasks.
Africom Continental hopes to complete the project within a few months of securing the additional funding. Completion of the project should improve Internet connectivity and telecommunications in Zimbabwe.
Contact: Richard Mbaiwa, chief executive officer
Zimbabwe Investment Agency
Email: mbaiwa@zia.co.zw
Tel: +263 475 7931 (to 7936)
www.zia.co.zw
