Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
THE construction of an integrated US$66,9 million Tourism Park in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has gained momentum following Cabinet’s approval of a strategic partnership between the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (MOTDC) and JR Goddard Contracting to develop on-site and off-site infrastructure.
The public-private partnership is expected to unlock major economic transformation in Victoria Falls, with implementation beginning around the under-construction Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Stadium before expanding to the rest of the tourism precinct.
The project will deliver key infrastructure, including roads, water, sewerage, electricity, stormwater drainage, and other essential services to support investment across the 272-hectare Tourism Park within the 1 200-hectare Masuwe SEZ.
The Masuwe Tourism Park is one of several flagship tourism projects being pursued under President Mnangagwa’s development agenda, which places tourism among the country’s key economic growth pillars alongside mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
Since 2018, the Second Republic has prioritised infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and investment promotion to unlock tourism potential under the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” policy.
The Government has also adopted a cluster-based tourism development model aimed at diversifying tourism products beyond traditional leisure travel into sports tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), medical and wellness tourism, and community-based tourism.
The Tourism and Hospitality Industry Policy (2025-2030), launched by President Mnangagwa last year in August, lays out a transformative roadmap focused on inclusive sectoral growth, infrastructure development, digital transformation, and devolution — all anchored on the national vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
The policy identifies infrastructure development, destination competitiveness, sustainability, digital transformation, and increased private sector participation as key drivers of growth.
President Mnangagwa has consistently emphasised that tourism should be private sector-driven, community-owned, and Government-facilitated, with strategic investments such as the Masuwe Special Economic Zone expected to generate employment, attract foreign direct investment, and accelerate the attainment of Vision 2030.
Speaking during a tour of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval by Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi last Wednesday, MOTDC board chairperson Mr Phineas Makombe said the development represents a milestone in Government’s vision of creating a world-class tourism destination.
“The Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company is a State-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry with the mandate to plan, develop, manage and promote world-class tourism infrastructure in Zimbabwe’s premier tourism destination.
“In 2018, Government, through Statutory Instrument 18 of 2018, established the Masuwe Special Economic Zone to facilitate investment in tourism infrastructure and financial services over an area measuring approximately 1 200 hectares. Within this Special Economic Zone, the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company owns and manages 272 hectares earmarked for the development of an integrated Tourism Park,” he said.
Mr Makombe said the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval was the catalyst project within the master plan and would anchor wider investment.
“Beyond this stadium, the master plan provides for the development of internationally branded hotels and resorts, a medical and wellness precinct, a championship golf estate, commercial and recreational facilities, a Culinary and Hospitality School to be established in partnership with UN Tourism, as well as other tourism-supporting infrastructure designed to position Victoria Falls as Africa’s leading sustainable tourism destination,” he said.
Under the joint venture agreement, MOTDC will contribute 271,5 hectares of land valued at US$25,6 million as equity in kind, while the JR Goddard Consortium will invest US$66,9 million towards infrastructure development.
The shareholding structure gives MOTDC a 39 percent stake and the consortium 61 percent, with a 25-year profit recoupment period.
