Plans are underway for the construction of a modern airport in Beitbridge. This was revealed recently by President Mnangagwa. Particularly, Mnangagwa made the revelation during the launch of the Beitbridge Border Post upgrade and modernization project.
Beitbridge is one of Africa’s busiest border posts. Thus it acts as a transit station for most of the north-south trade in Southern Africa. In addition, it is the gateway between Zimbabwe and South Africa. However, it depends on a dusty aerodrome for light aircraft.
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President Mnangagwa said that he was talking to Felix Mhona about the small aerodrome in Beitbridge being inappropriate for the modern town. Mhona is the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development. Moreover, the president said that the government has begun working on the steps leading to the airport’s construction.
Development of the project for the construction of the modern airport in Beitbridge
The proposed modern airport in Beitbridge will be built approximately 20 kilometers outside of the border town, in the Makhavhane area. In 2018, a team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) toured the proposed site. They were accompanied by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Responsible for Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr. Joram Gumbo.
The project, which is estimated to cost $100 million, will be carried out under the build, operate, and transfer concept. Upon completion, the airport will meet the standards of the modernized border post. Additionally, it will feature a new cargo terminal with scanning equipment that allows for faster goods inspection.
For international trade, the modern airport in Beitbridge will act as a “dry port”. President Mnangagwa ordered other infrastructure to be augmented to developments at border posts. This he said would enable efficient transportation of commodities, movement of people, and provision of services.
