The third edition of the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference (AfriConfex) held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition and Conference Smart City (ZIECS), drew local and international experts in the construction, engineering, and transport sectors. Running under the theme “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution,” the 2025 edition of AfriConfex put a strong emphasis on economic development through infrastructure investment, technological innovation, and sustainable urban growth.
Speaking during the official opening, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company Chairperson, Dr Busisa Moyo, described the conference as a strategic convening for advancing the built environment in Zimbabwe and beyond. “Infrastructure is the backbone of all developing economies. The robustness of our infrastructure determines our capacity for competitiveness, trade, commerce, and the quality of life enjoyed by our citizens,” Dr Moyo said.
On the sidelines of the conference, a high-level panel discussion titled “Building Sustainable Cities: Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives on Housing and Urban Infrastructure Development” was held. Among the key contributors was Ms Kudzai Rimai, Chief Director of Estates Development and Maintenance in the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities representing the Permanent Secretary Eng. Kudzanayi Chinyanga.
Ms Rimai outlined the Ministry’s core housing objectives under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), particularly how bulk infrastructure—such as water, sewerage, and roads—is being integrated into housing delivery plans. She emphasised the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in accelerating human settlements development.
“The Government is pursuing the ‘user pays’ principle to enhance infrastructure delivery in settlements,” she said. She also provided examples of areas where Government has provided enabling infrastructure.
Ms Rimai also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to incentivize and regulate private sector players and land developers through robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure new housing projects adhere to minimum standards for sustainable and resilient rural and urban development.
She elaborated on the facilitation of letters of support for prescribed asset status, which have enabled private developers to unlock funding for various housing projects. Furthermore, she pointed to Zimbabwe’s increased shareholding in Shelter Afrique Bank—from 1.5% to 5%— as a strategic move to unlock greater lines of credit from the pan-African housing finance institution.
Addressing the role of technology and innovation in reducing the cost and improving the speed of low-income housing delivery, Ms Rimai said the Ministry was currently undertaking legislative reviews of local by-laws to accommodate modern construction technologies and alternative building materials.
She also noted ongoing efforts to develop a Green Building Code in partnership with the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), aiming to promote climate-resilient and environmentally responsible urban development.
Meanwhile the ZITF which is the organizing company for AfriConfex notes that the conference is making smart moves by driving economic development through transformative construction and infrastructure initiatives. The focus is on building resilient cities and propelling Africa’s growth through sustainable infrastructure solutions.
