Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to attract private capital into the tourism sector, with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) 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.
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.
