Online Reporter
Nelson Gahadza
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s property market is now an attractive asset class for institutional investors, with real estate investment trusts (REITs), an increase in property firms and strong hospitality investment creating new opportunities for capital mobilisation.
This will be highlighted at the sixth annual ZimReal Property Investment Forum on August 26, which will focus on unlocking the next phase of real estate and investment growth in Zimbabwe.
The forum comes against the backdrop of a significant transformation in the relationship between Zimbabwe’s property and capital markets, with reforms and innovations on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) opening new avenues for property companies and investors.
Since 2022, Zimbabwe has witnessed the emergence of a thriving listed property market, with REITs and property companies increasingly using the capital markets to raise funding and provide investors with exposure to real estate.
“Since 2022, a thriving listed property market has emerged in Zimbabwe, bolstered by Zimbabwe Stock Exchange innovations and the attractive investment proposition offered by the USD-dominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange,” said Mr Murray Anderson, commercial director at ZimReal and organiser of API Events.
He added that listed property, pension funds, capital allocations and hospitality investment are all benefiting from the same capital market reforms.
The 2026 edition will also introduce the inaugural Zimbabwe Future Capital Forum (ZFCF), which will run alongside ZimReal, reflecting the growing convergence between property investment and capital markets.
WestProp Holdings chief executive said he is eager to see the forum’s influence extend across Zimbabwe and attract new investors into the country’s dynamic real estate sector.
Hospitality investment will form another major focus, following a reported 438 percent year-on-year increase in tourism and hospitality investment between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026.
Mr Daniel Trappler, senior director of development at Radisson Hotel Group, said the growth reflected rising confidence in Zimbabwe’s tourism prospects.
“We are seeing greater interest in internationally branded hospitality products across Africa, and Zimbabwe is well positioned to benefit from this trend as demand continues to evolve.
“ZimReal provides a valuable platform to connect developers, investors and operators, and we look forward to contributing to the conversation on the future of hospitality investment in the market,” he said.
