Harare, (New Ziana) – Government has lauded the construction of the long-awaited Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central Province, raising hopes for improved water security and irrigated agricultural production in the area.

Government said the multi-purpose dam, being built on the Ruya River between Maname Mountain in Rushinga and Kungo Mountain in Mt Darwin — about 50 kilometres east of Mt Darwin, is now between 32 and 42 percent complete, with full completion targeted for 2028.

Once finished, the Government said Semwa Dam will have an impressive capacity of 260,000 megalitres of water and will irrigate 12,000 hectares of farmland across Rushinga and Mt Darwin districts with its 72-metre-high wall making it one of the largest dams in the province.

Government is fully funding the project, which is being implemented by Makomo Resources, the main contractor employing around 280 local workers.

The dam is expected to serve multiple purposes — providing water for irrigation, domestic use, and fisheries, while also spurring economic growth and job creation.

Government says the project will be a game changer for Mashonaland Central, enabling all-year-round access to water and driving agricultural and industrial development.

“The dam will transform the face of Rushinga and Mt Darwin by improving food security and creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities,” said the Government.

Work on Semwa Dam first began in 2011, but progress was hampered by funding challenges. Since 2018, however, renewed government commitment has accelerated construction, breathing new life into one of the country’s most strategic water infrastructure projects.

Once completed, the Semwa Dam is expected to stand as a symbol of Zimbabwe’s determination to harness its natural resources for inclusive, sustainable development.

New Ziana