ZINARA Settles US$206 Million DBSA Loan

The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has fully cleared its US$206 million debt owed to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), marking a major milestone in clearing Zimbabwe’s legacy external debt obligations and improving prospects for future development financing.

ZINARA Board Chairperson Dr. George Manyaya confirmed the complete repayment, which fully settles the facility secured in 2011 to reconstruct and rehabilitate the strategic 820-kilometre Plumtree–Bulawayo–Harare–Mutare highway. The artery serves as a critical trade corridor connecting Zimbabwe’s major economic centers and linking regional commerce across Southern Africa.

Dr. Manyaya highlighted that the settlement reflects sweeping institutional reforms within the road administration. ZINARA achieved clean external audit opinions for both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating enhanced internal controls, heightened transparency, and strict financial accountability.

Parliamentary oversight committees acknowledged the settlement during recent reviews of state entities. Caston Matewu, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts, noted that the clearance follows significant internal restructuring and improved financial management at the road authority over recent years.

​Regarding operational funding, Matewu asked ZINARA to present legislative proposals to Parliament ahead of the upcoming Finance Bill debate regarding its 2.5 percent administration fee structure.

Meanwhile, Tawanda Karikoga, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development, stated that Parliament remains open to reviewing measures aimed at supporting road maintenance programs.

​The full settlement of the DBSA loan removes a major debt obligation from ZINARA’s balance sheet, ending a 15-year facility tied to one of the country’s main highway infrastructure projects.