BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) on Tuesday proposed a US$224,7 million budget for 2026 focusing on water supply, road rehabilitation, social services and improved governance.
The budget was presented by council Finance and Development Committee acting chairperson Dumisani Nkomo at the Large City Hall.
Nkomo said the 2026 budget theme Enhancing Drivers of Economic Growth and Transformation Towards Vision 2030, aimed to promote economic renewal, stability and infrastructure growth.
Nkomo said the proposed budget comprised a revenue budget of US$157,4 million and a capital budget of US$67,2 million.
He said funding would come from own resources (US$33,2 million), government devolution funds (US$5 million), Zimbabwe National Road Administration (US$2 million), grants, donations (US$20 million) and special levies.
Nkomo said the budget maintained most 2025 tariff levels, but extended the water and roads levies of US$1 and US$10 for domestic and commercial properties to fund rehabilitation projects.
“Stabilising the local economy and strengthening service delivery are essential to restoring confidence in the city’s administration,”he said.
Nkomo said council would prioritise water and sewage infrastructure (US$20,3 million), education and health facilities (US$9,4 million combined), and road rehabilitation (US$6,4 million) in the coming
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year.
“Staff costs will consume 35,9% of the total expenditure, while general expenses will take up 24,7%.
“The city also plans to allocate funds for digitalisation projects worth US$7,9 million to improve e-governance and service accessibility.
“Bulawayo can only grow when we work together to build sustainable services for all citizens.”
Nkomo urged residents to own the development agenda and support council’s initiatives.
“The 2025 budget, approved in April 2025, totalled US$297,2 million, with major allocations directed towards social services (US$81,2 million), water and sanitation (US$49,8 million) and roads (US$19,3 million),”Nkomo said.
“Projects completed during the year include the installation of Tower Block lifts, acquisition of refuse compactors, rehabilitation of sewers, and refurbishment of community facilities and youth centres.”
