Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Company has begun preparations for the construction of its US$12 million five-star hotel project at the company’s exhibition grounds in Bulawayo.
This comes after the exhibitions company invited developers to submit expressions of interest to undertake the construction work on the project.
The development, which will transform Bulawayo’s skyline, is also expected to open up new opportunities in Zimbabwe’s construction industry.
A new three or five-star hotel, valued at US$12 million, will soon rise within the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre precinct, part of the ZITF Company’s wider vision to build a modern and world-class business tourism hub.
The hotel project, according to company officials, is not just a landmark investment in infrastructure; it is a major catalyst for employment creation and material supply opportunities across the construction value chain.
In a development that signals the start of construction preparations, ZITF Company has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified local and international firms.
In a notice issued on Monday, the trade exhibition firm, which has already secured a development partner who committed US$12 million to the project, also called for parties to design, fund and construct a convention centre, an office tower and a theme park.
According to the notice, companies submitting EOIs must have at least 10 years of experience in relevant large-scale development projects.
Players in the construction sector have expressed confidence that hundreds of jobs would be created, including for skilled artisans such as builders, plumbers, and electricians, general labourers, equipment operators and project managers.
Beyond direct employment, the hotel’s development is expected to boost local suppliers of building materials, furniture, fittings and services such as logistics, engineering and interior design.
According to ZITF Company officials, the project reflects their commitment to driving the transformation of the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (Zices) into a fully integrated, modern exhibition, conferencing and hospitality zone.
The proposed hotel will complement existing facilities, offering world-class accommodation for local, regional, and international visitors attending events at the ZITF grounds and beyond.
Most exhibitors and visitors usually find it difficult to find accommodation during the ZITF, as all hotels and lodges run out of rooms. Private homes usually take advantage of the accommodation crisis and charge high prices to desperate visitors.
“We want to improve the size and quality of our space and the retail shopping centre is the beginning of the process of upgrading facilities,” ZITF Company board chairman, Mr Busisa Moyo told the media on Saturday.
Local construction companies, manufacturers and service providers have expressed excitement and are planning to take advantage of the anticipated demand for inputs.
“As the project moves from design to ground-breaking, stakeholders across the construction and hospitality sectors are watching closely and preparing to seize the wealth of opportunities that this transformative development will bring.
“Key construction materials such as cement, bricks, steel, roofing materials, tiling, glass and paint will be sourced locally where possible, boosting local industry and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) along the supply chain,” said Mr Comfort Ndiweni, a local contractor.
The five-star hotel will feature luxury rooms, conference facilities, restaurants and leisure amenities, meeting international standards and appealing to high-end tourists, business travellers and event delegates.
The development is a key part of ZITF Company’s broader transformation agenda, which seeks to modernise its exhibition infrastructure and elevate the city’s profile as a leading destination for business and tourism in southern Africa.
The US$12 million investment also signals growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic prospects, particularly in strategic sectors like tourism, construction and trade promotion.
By aligning infrastructure development with national goals such as Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the ZITF Company is contributing directly to Zimbabwe’s drive for industrialisation, job creation and sustainable growth.
Cities and towns across the country, including Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Mutare, Victoria Falls and Zvishavane are witnessing major developments, marked by the emergence of new commercial, industrial and residential projects.
According to the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency’s (Zida) Fourth Quarter 2024 report, the real estate sector is expected to attract even more investments this year. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the real estate sector had the highest projected investment value of US$2 billion.
