Zimbabwe’s government has allocated ZWL$3.8bn (€9.5m) to complete upgrades to Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare by 2022.

Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube, said the priority was to ensure that the country complied with ICAO’s minimum requirements and those of the European Union Air Safety Committee.

He said this would ensure that Zimbabwe’s aviation sub-sector moved from category 2 to category 1, thus clearing the way for other global markets with stricter aviation regulations to fly to the country.

“This would entail rehabilitation and upgrading of civil aviation facilities at the RG Mugabe International Airport. Air traffic control and air safety requires immediate intervention through procurement and installation of the requisite equipment and leveraging on the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe’s cash flow.”

Ncube said the funds would allow for upgrades to the terminal building, the VVIP pavilion, installation of navigation and lighting equipment.