Harare, Zimbabwe | In a bid to restore Harare to its former standing as one of Africa’s leading cities, the Harare City Council has introduced a budget of US$548.2 million for the 2025 fiscal year.
Once celebrated as a premier city on par with Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, Harare has struggled in recent years with decay and disarray, a situation emblematic of national governance and economic challenges.
The 2025 budget, presented under the theme “Enhancing Service Delivery: Building a Sustainable Green Future Together,” aims to address these issues across critical municipal sectors.
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Budget Priorities
The proposed budget will focus on six key areas:
- Governance and Administration
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
- Social Services
- Roads
- Public Safety and Security
- Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation
Of the total budget, approximately US$137.3 million is allocated for capital expenditures, while US$410.9 million is reserved for recurrent expenses. These allocations reflect the Council’s commitment to both immediate and long-term improvements in Harare’s infrastructure and public services.
The budget presentation was led by Costa Mande, the Chairperson of the Finance and Development Committee, before Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and other city council members. Mande referenced the constitutional and legislative framework governing local budgets, noting that the budget aligns with Section 276 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which empowers local authorities to raise sufficient revenue through levies and taxes to fulfill their responsibilities. He added that, according to Section 47 of the Public Finance Management Act, the council must submit the estimated revenue and expenditure for 2025, along with an annual strategic plan, to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works for approval.
Mande emphasized that the budget is balanced with no anticipated surplus or deficit. “The 2025 budget neither has an accumulated surplus nor deficit,” he said, underscoring fiscal responsibility within the parameters established by the Urban Councils Act.
In adherence to Section 288 of the Urban Councils Act, each committee within the council has prepared detailed estimates of expected income and expenses for their areas of responsibility, which have been consolidated by the Finance and Development Committee.
The Council’s programme-based budgeting approach is expected to provide targeted improvements across all priority areas:
- Governance and Administration: Improved municipal governance frameworks aim to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency in city administration.
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): With a significant portion of the budget dedicated to WASH, the Council hopes to address Harare’s long-standing water challenges, ensuring safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services for residents.
- Social Services: Investments in health, education, and social infrastructure are anticipated to support the wellbeing of residents and restore community spaces and amenities.
- Road Infrastructure: Allocations for road repair and construction will target the city’s deteriorated road networks, aiming to improve transportation and connectivity.
- Public Safety and Security: To create a safer city environment, the Council will invest in public safety infrastructure and initiatives to reduce crime and support emergency response services.
- Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation: Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, the budget includes plans for green initiatives, resource conservation, and projects to enhance Harare’s environmental resilience.
Mande concluded his presentation by reiterating the Council’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and to addressing the needs of Harare’s residents through the outlined priorities. “Your Worship, the budget is programme-based and intended to deliver on these essential priorities for our community,” he said.
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