Zimbabwe is planning a major cargo hub at Harare’s main international airport in a move aimed at strengthening trade, exports and regional logistics.
The project will be developed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and is expected to cost just over US$1 billion. It will be led by local transport and logistics firm Transvaal Africa in partnership with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe.
The goal is to turn Harare into a central cargo and logistics hub for Zimbabwe and the wider region, improving how goods are moved, stored and exported.
The planned cargo village will bring key services into one location. These include warehousing, sorting, packaging, grading and cold storage facilities.
At present, cargo services at the airport are spread across different sites, which can slow down operations. By centralising these services, authorities say aircraft turnaround times will improve and cargo handling will become more efficient.
The cargo hub is expected to operate as a Special Economic Zone. This status would allow businesses operating there to benefit from tax incentives, customs duty relief and easier access to foreign currency.
Officials believe these incentives will help attract both local and international investors, while making Zimbabwe more competitive as a trading and logistics destination.
Agriculture is a key focus of the project. Modern cold-chain infrastructure will support the export of fresh and perishable products such as fruit, vegetables and flowers.
These facilities are expected to reduce post-harvest losses and help Zimbabwean farmers reach international markets with higher-quality produce. Authorities say this could increase export earnings and support growth across the agricultural sector.
Transvaal Africa chief executive Engineer Patson Moyo said most regulatory and environmental approvals have already been secured. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, once final local authority permits are issued.
At least 40 percent of construction work will be allocated to local companies, with specialised international firms brought in only where advanced technical expertise is required. The project is expected to create around 3,000 direct jobs, along with many more indirect employment opportunities.
The Airports Company of Zimbabwe says the cargo hub forms part of a broader plan to transform Harare’s airport into a full aviation and logistics centre.
Recent upgrades include a new passenger terminal and expanded airport infrastructure, following a government investment of US$153 million. Plans are also in place for a second runway to support future growth in passenger and cargo traffic.
For a landlocked country like Zimbabwe, air cargo is seen as a vital link to global markets. Officials believe the new cargo hub could position Harare as a gateway for exports from Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries to markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
If completed as planned, the project could play a key role in reshaping Zimbabwe’s trade, logistics and export capacity in the years ahead.
