The government has announced plans to modernise solid waste management across all major urban centres, inspired by the public–private partnership (PPP) between the City of Harare and Geo Pomona Waste Management.
The announcement was made during a briefing attended by officials from the City of Bulawayo, Umguza Rural District Council, and the City of Victoria Falls on Friday at Bulawayo City Hall.
Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, said the meeting focused on strengthening solid waste management in urban areas, building on what he described as the first notable success of a PPP in the sector, the Harare–Geo Pomona arrangement.
“The government intends to replicate similar PPP arrangements in all major centres across the country. This is in line with the President’s call to action to modernise municipal services so they meet the standards of an upper middle-income society. During the commissioning of the Geo Pomona waste-sorting facility, the President urged other towns and cities to draw lessons from the initiative to improve waste management nationwide,” Garwe said.
He noted that a key feature of modern cities is how effectively they manage municipal solid waste ecosystems—not only to create hygienic and pleasant environments but also to drive local economic development.
“World Bank indicators show that Sub-Saharan Africa, one of the fastest-growing generators of waste, collects only about 44 percent of its waste,” Garwe said.
He added that, from the government’s perspective, Zimbabwe’s collection rate could be even lower.
“Given the high levels of uncollected waste and illegal dumpsites in our urban centres, poor waste management is a ticking time bomb from an economic perspective,” he warned.
Garwe said the ministry is working closely with local authorities to transform waste management systems through sustainable partnerships and the strengthening of basic services.
Beyond Harare, he said all eight cities—Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Victoria Falls, Kadoma and Kwekwe—are expected to conduct assessments of their waste-management chains to identify areas suitable for partnership and to begin the gradual transition toward comprehensive waste-management cycles, from collection to processing.
Garwe also addressed water supply challenges, noting ongoing interventions in Harare.
“We have issues regarding water, which we are currently working on in Harare. Water has now been restored in bulk supply areas such as Waterfalls and parts of the Central Business District, which are receiving water as we speak. Areas like Avondale will begin receiving water next week,” he said.
“It also aims to ensure that running water and digitised water meters are installed in Ruwa, Epworth, Chitungwiza and Norton, in cooperation with the Harare City Council,” said Garwe.
He added that by the end of the first quarter of next year, most parts of Harare are expected to have consistent water supply. The programme, however, extends beyond the capital.