ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to attract private capital into the tourism sector, with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency seeking investors to develop a 10 000-room hotel and conferencing facilities in Harare.
The investment opportunity is being marketed to both local and international investors as part of a broader strategy to position the country as a competitive regional hub for business tourism, conferences and large-scale international events.Digital transformation services
This comes as Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality sector is under pressure to scale up accommodation capacity after the country secured the right to host the headquarters of the Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO).
IATFCO was unveiled during the Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algeria and Zimbabwe won the right to host the company’s headquarters, beating bids from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Zambia and South Africa.
IATF, which has become one of the continent’s largest trade promotion platforms, brings together policymakers, investors, exporters and financial institutions from across Africa to facilitate trade deals, partnerships and market linkages.
With IATFCO head offices in Harare, it is expected that Zimbabwe will host regular trade exhibitions, conferences and business engagements involving stakeholders from across the continent.
This will increase the country’s visibility as a destination for trade and investment while creating more opportunities for local companies to access regional markets.
Visitors from across Africa are expected to come to Zimbabwe more frequently, driving demand in sectors such as hospitality, transport, logistics and professional services.
Local companies are also expected to benefit from procurement opportunities and the various trade promotion events and exhibitions the country will host.
ZIDA said Zimbabwe’s tourism sector offers a strong investment case, supported by the country’s globally recognised brand, anchored on Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Destination Zimbabwe continues to draw significant international traffic, creating sustained demand for high-quality accommodation and conferencing infrastructure.
ZIDA noted that the opportunity extends beyond traditional hotel infrastructure to include lodges, serviced apartments and integrated tourism services, as the country moves to diversify its hospitality offering and cater to evolving traveller preferences.
The investment drive also comes ahead of two major international events that Zimbabwe will host: the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in 2029 and the Cricket World Cup 2027, which will see a significant increase in visitor inflows and place additional pressure on existing accommodation capacity.Digital transformation services
ZIDA Investment Promotion Officer Ms Rudo Chinyani told delegates at the Zimbabwe–Uganda Business Forum on Thursday, that the planned 10 000-room hotel initiative signals a shift towards large-scale, integrated tourism infrastructure.
Ms Chinyani said the initiative has the potential to unlock downstream economic benefits across transport, retail, construction and services sectors.
““The tourism sector presents a high-impact investment opportunity, driven by Zimbabwe’s strongest global brand centred on iconic attractions such as the Victoria Falls. This creates an immediate opportunity for investment in hotels, lodges and service apartments.
“Additionally, Zimbabwe will host the IATF in 2029 and the Cricket World Cup in 2027, and there is an opportunity for investment in the tourism sector,” said Ms Chinyani.
However, successful execution will depend on policy consistency, ease of doing business and the provision of supporting infrastructure such as reliable power, water and transport networks.
If successfully implemented, the project could mark a turning point for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry, enhancing its ability to host global events while strengthening its position as a premier destination for both leisure and business travel in Africa.
To that end, the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe (TBCZ) has called on industry players to expedite investment in hotel infrastructure to fully capitalise on the opportunity presented by hosting the headquarters of the IATFCO.
One of the key conditions tied to the successful bid is the provision of at least 20 000 hotel beds in the three-to-five-star category by the end of 2027.
However, current estimates indicate that Harare has fewer than 11 000 hotel beds, leaving a deficit of more than 9 000 rooms.
TBCZ acting chief executive Mr Christopher Sithole said the development presents a significant growth opportunity for the sector, particularly in expanding and upgrading accommodation stock to meet rising demand from continental trade-related travel.
He urged operators to prioritise refurbishment of existing facilities, conversion of underutilised properties into hospitality establishments and the formation of strategic partnerships with property owners to accelerate room supply.
“The requirement to reach 20 000 beds in the three-to-five-star category presents a substantial investment opportunity for the tourism industry. Operators can upgrade facilities, repurpose real estate assets and collaborate to expand capacity in line with anticipated demand.”
The push to bridge the accommodation gap could unlock wider investment across construction, real estate and services sectors, while positioning Zimbabwe as a key hub for business tourism in Africa.-herald
