Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
A 29-year-old young entrepreneur in the construction sector, Mr Langton Vito recently scooped the Young Contractor of the Year 2024 at the Regional Construction Summit 2024.
Organised by the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA), the landmark event ran under the theme “Leveraging Investment in Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Economic Growth.”
Mr Vito’s company Vitmud Construction specialises in construction, civil works, construction of sewer and water reticulation, paving works, stormwater drainages, earthworks, plumbing works and land development.
In an interview with Sunday News Business he said it was an honour to scoop the award that recognised their contribution to the construction industry in the country.
“Zimbabwe’s construction industry is at its peak and needs both the Government and contractors to work together for better infrastructure. Professionally l am a quantity surveyor and as a construction industry professional, I felt so happy receiving the award. My advice to other youths in the construction industry is that let us keep pushing and the sky is the limit,” he said.
Mr Vito said the conference’s theme emphasised how strategic infrastructure investments was vital in fostering growth, job creation and improved living standards of our people.
He said infrastructure development in the country continues to enhance connectivity and accessibility, which are crucial for economic activities.
“By prioritising these investments, we can stimulate local economies, reduce poverty, and create a more sustainable environment for future generations. Our commitment as the construction industry to these projects reflects our vision of an empowered society, where every citizen benefits from the fruits of development.”
Zimbabwe’s construction industry is experiencing rapid growth, driven by public investment in infrastructure projects, private sector investment in residential and commercial projects, amid the increasing demand for housing and other infrastructure in urban areas.
The projects span various economic sectors such as energy, roads, mines, agriculture and manufacturing.
The local construction sector is angling at handling an estimated US$100 million worth of projects by the second quarter of 2025.
ZBCA president, Dr Tinashe Manzungu is on record stating that the association aligns with the country’s ambition of becoming an Empowered and Upper-Middle- Income State by 2030.
He said the construction industry not only generates 25-30 percent of national employment but is also a key enabler in achieving National Development Strategy (NDS1) targets.
