Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Mutare
THE development of sustainable and bankable tourism projects is critical for driving economic growth, attracting investment, and achieving national development goals, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has said.
Speaking at the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Investment conference on Tuesday, Head of Project Development at ZIDA, Mr Taurai Duku, said this while outlining a structured pathway for transforming Zimbabwe’s rich natural and cultural heritage into viable economic ventures that appeal to both private and public investors.
Mr Duku defined project development as the structured process of transforming an idea into a viable, investible, and implementable project.
He emphasised that this process must be strategically aligned.
“This is a multi-tiered process, starting from the National Development Strategy (NDS), trickling down to the Provincial Strategy, and culminating in Local Authority Development Plans. This approach, ensures strategic alignment, geographical relevance, and community focus of projects, which is essential for driving towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
He emphasised on the dual importance of sustainability and bankability.
Mr Duku explained that sustainability is the ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
“In a tourism context, this means ensuring long-term viability of destinations while benefiting communities and preserving the environment
“Such an approach not only protects national assets but also attracts impact investors and donor funding by aligning with global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards,” he said.
On bankability, Mr Duku clarified that a project becomes ‘bankable’ when it meets the criteria of financiers.
He highlighted the differing priorities of investors, noting that while the private sector focuses on financial returns, public and donor institutions heavily consider social, environmental, and developmental impact.
“To meet these criteria, there are four core pillars: Profitability, Feasibility, Risk Mitigation, and Policy Alignment. Investors meticulously analyse financial metrics such as the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), which measures profitability, and the Net Present Value (NPV), which indicates the value created by the project. A positive NPV signals that a project is expected to generate more value than it costs,” he said.
Beyond financial returns, Mr Duku stressed that modern investors are equally focused on developmental impact.
“Job creation, local economic impact, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity are now key metrics for securing funding,” he said.
For project promoters, Mr Duku recommended a rigorous self-assessment using an investor readiness checklist, which includes having a clear business model, validated market demand, solid financial projections, and robust risk mitigation strategies.
“A bankable tourism project is one that solves a real problem, aligns with national priorities, delivers measurable impact, and speaks the language of investors through clear metrics, sustainability, and readiness,” he said.
