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Hilton has announced its first foray into Zimbabwe after signing an agreement with Terrace Africa to develop a Hilton Garden Inn property in Harare’s upmarket Highlands district, marking a significant milestone in the country’s hospitality sector.
The 140-room hotel, scheduled to open in early 2029, will form part of the Highlands Precinct, a mixed-use development bringing together offices, retail outlets, dining establishments, residences and conferencing facilities.
Located approximately 20 to 25 kilometres from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the property sits within one of Harare’s established residential and diplomatic neighbourhoods, providing convenient access to key commercial and cultural destinations across the capital.
The announcement, made yesterday at ZimReal — Zimbabwe’s premier property investment forum — comes as the country’s tourism sector shows robust growth, with international arrivals exceeding 1,7 million in 2025.
Mr Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa, described the move as a defining moment for the company’s African expansion strategy.
“Entering Zimbabwe marks an important milestone in Hilton’s continued expansion across Africa and reflects our confidence in the country’s long-term hospitality potential,” Mr Khneisser said.
“With Harare serving as a key commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway, we see a strong opportunity to bring Hilton Garden Inn to a market where demand from business and leisure travellers continues to grow.”
The property will feature modern amenities including an all-day dining restaurant with a terrace, a lobby café and bar, a gym, a pool with terrace, and meeting rooms, designed to offer business and leisure travellers upscale yet affordable accommodation.
Mr Brett Abrahamse, Terrace Africa director, said the partnership would elevate the Highlands Precinct’s standing as a connected urban destination.
“Our Highlands Precinct has been designed to reflect Harare’s growth and evolving lifestyle needs,” Mr Abrahamse said.
“Partnering with Hilton to introduce its first hotel in Zimbabwe is a defining milestone for the precinct and reinforces our ambition to create high-quality, mixed-use environments that serve residents, businesses and visitors alike. Together, we are bringing a globally recognised hospitality brand to a destination designed for the future of the city.”
The agreement builds on Hilton’s strong momentum across Africa, where the global hospitality company currently operates more than 70 trading hotels and has over 100 projects in the pipeline, with more than half located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand boasts more than 1 100 hotels across 65 countries and territories worldwide.
Terrace Africa, established in 2011, has delivered over US$230 million worth of property projects across Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa, and serves as the Asset Manager of the ZSE-listed Tigere REIT.
The signing builds on Hilton’s strong momentum across Africa, where the global hospitality company currently operates more than 70 trading hotels and has over 100 in the pipeline, with more than half located in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Hilton, a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 28 world-class brands comprising more than 9,400 properties and nearly 1,4 million rooms across 144 countries and territories, has welcomed over 4 billion guests in its more than 100-year history.
Named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune, the company employs 500 000 team members worldwide and has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms.
More than 260 million members of the award-winning Hilton Honours loyalty programme can earn points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, while the free Hilton Honors app allows guests to book, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out from their smartphone.
The award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand, which now makes its Zimbabwe debut, provides business and leisure guests upscale, affordable accommodations and modern amenities across more than 1 100 hotels in 65 countries and territories. The Hilton Garden Inn Promise affirms the brand’s goal to make each guest’s stay better and brighter — guaranteed – while culinary offerings tailored to regional tastes provide elevated and unique dining experiences at each location.
Terrace Africa, the master developer of the Highlands Precinct, has been operating within the African real estate industry since 2011 and has delivered over US$230 million worth of projects across Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa.
The company also serves as the Asset Manager of the ZSE-listed Tigere REIT and maintains offices in both Harare and Johannesburg, with the tree-lined Highlands suburb now poised to host Hilton’s landmark entry into the Zimbabwean market.
Zimbabwe’s broader tourism and hospitality economy reached over US$5 billion last year, with international arrivals growing by 10 percent to roughly 1,78 million visitors.
