The state of Water Infrastructure Development in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The article explores the history of urban water infrastructure management in Zimbabwe focusing on water sector reforms and water infrastructural development strategies. The challenges experienced in the implementation of the water sector reforms in the country by examining the legal and institutional frameworks that guide public private partnerships (PPPs) in general and those that guide PPPs in the water sector, particularly in the development of urban water infrastructure in Zimbabwe are explored. Using the qualitative approach, the article aims to answer research question such as what water reforms and public private partnership projects have been implemented in Zimbabwe? The article presents a discussion of water sector reforms in Zimbabwe and proposed strategies for urban water infrastructural development that include policy frameworks and institutional arrangements proposed a decade ago. Findings explore that there are gaps in research pertaining to the implementation of water sector reforms in Zimbabwe. The study concludes by proposing the implementation of PPP initiatives in Zimbabwe in general and urban water infrastructural PPP initiatives, in particular, as a solution to improve water infrastructure. Keywords: Public private partnerships, Qualitative, Water infrastructure, Zimbabwe