The Hwange Local Board (HLB) claims to have recorded a surge in investor interest in tourism and hospitality projects following engagements at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
HLB corporate communications officer Dumisani Nsingo said the local authority received significant interest from prospective investors, particularly in tourism-related developments such as lodges and hotels.
Nsingo attributed the growing appetite to Hwange’s strategic location near key tourism attractions such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.
“Because of our proximity to Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park, we saw heightened interest from investors who want to tap into the tourism value chain,” he said.
Nsingo revealed that the response at ZITF marked a turning point for the local authority, which had previously struggled to attract investors despite advertising the same land through an expression of interest.
“We once advertised the land that we have, but there were no takers. However, at ZITF, we received quite a number of visitors expressing interest in that same piece of land,” he said.
The investor interest was largely driven by regional players, with businesspeople from Nigeria and South Africa expressing willingness to invest in tourism infrastructure.
“All of them indicated interest in setting up lodges and even constructing hotels,” Nsingo added.
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The renewed investor appetite comes as Hwange experiences rapid economic transformation, largely driven by increased investment activity in the mining sector.
Nsingo said the town has recorded an estimated 90 % adult employment rate, positioning it among Zimbabwe’s fastest-growing economic hubs.
The growth has been underpinned by foreign direct investment, including the entry of several international firms operating in the area, which have created thousands of jobs and stimulated economic activity.
As a result, Hwange is witnessing increased population inflows, with people relocating from major urban centres such as Harare and Beitbridge in search of employment opportunities.
The population surge has intensified demand for housing and basic services, prompting the local authority to open up new land for residential, commercial and industrial development.
“We are inviting the private sector to partner with us in servicing these new areas, as we have limited capacity as a local authority,” Nsingo said.
He added that plans are underway to establish a new central business district to support the town’s expansion.
Beyond tourism and mining, Nsingo said Hwange is also positioning itself as a hub for agro-processing, with opportunities in fish processing due to its proximity to the Zambezi River.
“There are very few companies involved in fish canning in Zimbabwe. Investors can take advantage of our location close to the source of the fish,” he said.
He further highlighted reliable power supply as a key competitive advantage that enhances Hwange’s attractiveness as an investment destination.
