Swedish delegation in landmark waste management exchange with Harare Metropolitan Province

📅 Published: August 19, 2025

Curated by AllZimNews.com

The learning visit to Sweden was necessitated by the need to allow stakeholders and implementing partners of the Harare Sustainable City Initiatives to have full appreciation of the systems that helped Sweden become one of the cleanest places in the world.

In his keynote address, delivered on his behalf by Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Cosmas Chiringa, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Senator Charles Tawengwa, stressed the importance of the partnership. “This visit is a testament to our commitment to transform Harare and Zimbabwe at large into a model of sustainable urban development.

By leveraging Swedish expertise, particularly the advanced systems observed at Gästrike Återvinnare, we aim to enhance our capacity in recycling, waste reduction, resource recovery, and public health,” said Mr Chiringa. “The handing over of certificates to our capacitated team marks an important turning point for our province.

We are determined to put this knowledge into good use and impart the skills to colleagues across Zimbabwe, even beyond Harare Metropolitan Province.

In our drive as a nation towards an upper middle income economy, sustainable waste management and environmental upkeep are key pillars to the building of smart cities. ”The courtesy call was the first in a series of activities scheduled for the Swedish delegation’s week-long visit, which will include site tours, stakeholder meetings, and the laying of foundations for long-term partnerships.

The programme opened with an invocation by Ms.

Mangezi, followed by introductions led by Eng.

Parichi, Chair of the Harare Sustainable Cities Initiative Steering Committee.

The Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Sunshine Group Mr Ronny Mbaisa, delivered remarks highlighting the impact of the recent Sweden training. “The follow-up visit by the Swedish delegation is testament to the impact of the training programme.

Unlike other trainings that focus on theory, this initiative is concerned with the implementation of outcomes in our local context.

We are hopeful that through this engagement, training capacity will be established in Zimbabwe for the entire SADC region,” said Mr Mbaisa.

On the lined up tours, one of them will be a visit to Geo-Pomona, a key private sector player in waste management, where the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable waste solutions will be established.

The Swedish delegation, led by Per-Olof Hallberg (International Relations Manager) and Eva Johansson (Project Manager), will spend the week engaging with local authorities, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), UN Habitat, recyclers, and community-based organizations.

Their itinerary includes visits to waste treatment facilities, landfill sites, and potential pilot locations for waste management training hubs, such as Epworth.

Gästrike Återvinnare is internationally recognized for its integrated approach, which combines state-of-the-art recycling centres, waste-to-energy plants, biogas production, and strict policy enforcement.