ZIDA reveal Masuwe SEZ Development Plans

(31st October 2025)

Over the last month or so the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) Linked-In profile has been revealing details of key development projects proposed within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Victoria Falls, including plans for yet another hotel development.

In late September a post detailed the Masuwe Commercial Centre, a "flagship, multi-use development strategically located within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Victoria Falls" (ZIDA, September 2025).

The US$17 million development is located on a 31 hectare site adjacent to the new cricket stadium facility which is currently under construction and which we are confidently told "will host matches for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup" (the venues for the event are yet to be decided). We are also reliably informed that "international arrivals to Victoria Falls are projected to exceed 430,000 by 2026" (ZIDA, September 2025).

In mid-October a further post gave details of the Masuwe Hotel & Restaurant Project, a "a flagship investment poised to transform Victoria Falls." The description detailed the US$120 million '200-bed' development before going on to describe 120 4-star rooms and 80 5-star rooms, giving a total of 200 rooms (and an estimated 400 beds).

"This US$120 million development will rise on a 19-hectare site within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, Zimbabwe’s first tourism-focused SEZ. It’s no ordinary resort: we’re delivering a 200-bed luxury complex (120 four-star and 80 five-star rooms) complete with high-end restaurants, a spa & wellness centre, conference facilities, and leisure amenities tailored to premium travellers. Crucially, the project is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the government’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company ensuring strong public backing and strategic alignment. Located adjacent to the new 10,000 seat international cricket stadium (now under construction for World Cup 2027), this resort will be at the heart of Victoria Falls’ growth as a world-class destination" (ZIDA, October 2025).

The posts linked to a pdf brochure titled 'ZIDA 2025 Projects' and which gives further details of the two above developments and three further development proposals as part of the first phase of the Masuwe development (download full brochure here).

Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate in Masuwe Special Economic Zone

"Lot 1 of Jafuta Estate owned by Mosi oa Tunya Development Company (Mosi) spanning 271.5 hectares is located in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The area was declared an SEZ on 28 September 2018 through General Notice 747 of 2018 with the objective of creating a Tourism and Financial Services Hub. The vision for the Masuwe SEZ is to enhance tourism-related activities by integrating tourism, recreational and sporting facilities, with commercial, medical and conference centres as well as an International Finance Centre, and other complementary developments.

Project Scope

- Development of core infrastructure including roads, water, sewer and wastewater management systems, power and telecommunication networks. Estimated Project Cost - US$81.6 million

- Construction of two medical centre[s]. US$15 m

- Construction of hotels, villas, flats and holiday homes. US$79.8 m

- Development of a commercial centre with shops and offices and the international financial services centre. US$17 m

- Development of a tourism and hospitality school. (Project not available - partner identified). US$10.7 m

- Development of a golf estate. US$10 m

- Development of a multipurpose international cricket stadium (Project not available - under construction). US$7.5 m." (ZIDA 2025, p81-82)

Lot 1 Jafuta Estate (click to view larger image)

 

Masuwe SEZ Commercial Centre Project

"The Masuwe Commercial Centre is a USD17 million flagship development on 31 hectares within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. It will deliver a modern, multi-use hub featuring Grade A office space, retail outlets, financial services, dining and hospitality facilities."  (ZIDA 2025, p55-56)

Masuwe Commercial Centre (click to view larger image)

Masuwe SEZ Hotel & Restaurant Facilities Project

"The USD120 million Masuwe Hotel and Restaurant Project is a greenfield tourism project located in a special economic zone (SEZ) in Victoria Falls. The Project is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government through Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company and private investors. The development seeks to deliver a 200-bed [room] resort - comprising 120 four-star rooms and 80 five-star rooms - on a 19-hectare site, featuring high-end restaurants, conferencing facilities, a spa and wellness centre, and leisure amenities catering to both premium and upscale markets." (ZIDA 2025, p57-58)

Masuwe Hotel and Restaurant (click to view larger image)

In their supporting notes ZIDA point to "Peak season occupancy above 85%."

Masuwe SEZ Villas Project

"The USD5 million Masuwe Villas Project is a greenfield tourism project located in a special economic zone (SEZ) in Victoria Falls. The project is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the government through Mosi-os-Tunya Development Company and private investors. The development seeks to deliver eleven luxury double-story villas within a secure gated community on a 26-hectare piece of land within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Victoria Falls. The project is designed to address the shortage of premium villa-style accommodation in a market dominated by hotels, where demand is rising inline with international tourist arrivals. The development is supported by key documentation, including a Feasibility Study, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and detailed servicing cost reports for the entire SEZ." (ZIDA 2025, p53-54)

Masuwe Villas Project (click to view larger image)

Masuwe International Medical Centre Project

"- The construction of a 150-bed international Medical Centre in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

- This is a greenfield project, aimed at establishing a modern, fully equipped healthcare facility in Victoria Falls

- This International Medical Centre will be on two adjacent compounds measuring six and four hectares respectively, located within the SEZ

- Compound 1: General hospital (6 ha)

- Compound 2: Luxury Medical Facility (4 ha)

- Project is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with an estimated total capital outlay of USD 15 million aimed at providing both primary care and specialist services, including diagnostics, emergency medicine, surgery and rehabilitation.

-The facility is expected to serve over 60,000 patients annually, create over 200 direct skilled and unskilled jobs, and significantly reduce outbound travel to India, South Africa and China for medical reasons." (ZIDA 2025, p5-6) 

Masuwe International Medical Centre (click to view larger image)

Read more on the background to the Masuwe Special Economic Zone proposals on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

Zambia Agrees Mosi-oa-tunya/Victoria Falls Entry Fee Hike

Kabwe – 28 October 2025 – The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) has reached a consensus on the long-anticipated adjustment of entry and user fees for the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. The agreement, finalized at a key stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Livingstone Lodge sees a moderate increase designed to support the site's maintenance and presentation. This meeting was in compliance with the Business Regulatory Act No. 3 of 2014, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act.

The meeting which was chaired by the Ministry of Tourism Regional Coordinator Clement Mulungushi and was attended by representatives from the Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA), ZATO - Association of Indigenous Local Tour Operators, Rafters Association, Avani Minor Hotels, Wild Horizons, and Radisson Blu among other key stakeholders.

Following extensive consultation, the parties agreed on a tiered fee structure to promote regional tourism while significantly boosting conservation revenue.

The primary agreement points are:

1. New Foreign Entry Fee: The entry fee for international tourists to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls will be increased from the current $20 to $30 USD, effective January 1, 2026. This represents a 50% increase, a compromise from NHCC's initial proposal of a $40 or $50 USD fee.

2. SADC Region Fee: A new, preferential fee for adult tourists from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region will be introduced to encourage regional travel.

3. Local Fees: The entry fee for Zambian Adults/Residents will be K50, with children under 16 years paying K25.

4. Forward Bookings: A transparent mechanism will be established to honor 2026 bookings made prior to the new fee's effective date.

The Livingstone Tourism Association raised concerns that the NHCC's original proposal for a 100% increase (to $40 USD) was too sudden and would negatively impact tourism in Livingstone. The Business Regulatory Review Authority (BRRA) through their Director Regulatory Affairs Mr David Banda also echoed this caution.

However, stakeholders welcomed the introduction of a SADC-tiered fee structure. The compromise of a $30 USD foreign entry fee was widely accepted as a balanced solution.

NHCC Executive Director Mr. Kagosi Mwamulowe said this undertaking was a major milestone in heritage management.

”The Commission cannot over emphasize the need to increase revenue to match the immense costs of maintaining a World Heritage Site as well as other heritage sites,” Mr. Mwamulowe said.

“This agreement ensures that revenue generated at Mosi-oa-tunya will visibly contribute to the maintenance and improved presentation of the World Heritage Site.” He remarked. He further extended his gratitude to all stakeholders for their mature and objective submissions.

The parties also agreed to explore the possibility of a gradual annual percentage fee increase in the future to keep pace with inflation.

With the consensus reached, the new fee structure is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026. The NHCC will now finalize the harmonized fee matrix across all site categories.

Ends.

  

 

Outcry over Hwange park road detour

 A 45-KILOMETRE detour through Hwange National Park had sparked a fierce backlash from leading conservation and tourism operators in Zimbabwe, who warn that it threatens the ecological heart of the Hwange region and the economy it supports.

In letters seen by NewsDay, Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) and the Amalinda Safari Collection have called for the immediate suspension of a plan to route commercial traffic through the sensitive Hwange National Park buffer zone.

The detour, from Cross Mabale to Mpofu to Dete to Cross Dete, is part of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project, undertaken by Asphalt Products.

However, stakeholders allege that they were not consulted, adding that the plan posed “grave” and potentially irreversible” risks.

In a letter dated October 17, PDC’s executive director, Peter Blinston, said that the area was a “critical wildlife corridor and buffer” for the safe movement of animals between Hwange National Park and surrounding lands.

“The introduction of commercial traffic through this sensitive zone would severely undermine these conservation gains and pose a grave risk to wildlife,” Blinston wrote, highlighting the danger to endangered painted dogs, elephants and other large mammals.

Amalinda Safari Collection, which operates Khulu Bush Camp, Ivory Lodge and Sable Valley, detailed the operational and ecological threats in its letter of October 16.

The company's chief executive officer, Sharon Stead, warned that the route “traverses critical wildlife pathways and migratory routes,” and will "demonstrably elevate the risk of severe animal mortality.”

The tourism operator also raised practical concerns, stating that the detour adds “an unnecessary 45-kilometre extension to vehicle transit” and uses minor district roads "not suited to the anticipated vehicular load.”

This, they argue, will lead to delays, accelerated road degradation and a “severely compromised” service for guests, directly jeopardising the “substantial tourism revenue that supports local conservation and employment.”

Both organisations have expressed frustration at lack of prior engagement.

PDC’s letter noted that “key stakeholders, including ourselves and other conservation bodies... have not been consulted,” while Amalinda said the choice of route is “especially challenging" given the contractor’s understood capacity to build a “less intrusive alternative."

The unified front from the conservation and tourism sectors presents a significant challenge to the project.

PDC has respectfully requested that works be “immediately suspended” pending consultation and environmental assessment, and that alternative routes outside the wildlife buffer zone be explored.

Similarly, Amalinda has urged Asphalt Products to “immediately place the current detour plan under review” and to adopt an existing commercial route as the preferred alternative.

The dispute puts a spotlight on the perennial conflict between infrastructure development and environmental preservation in ecologically sensitive areas.

Blinston said the project “threatens the economic sustainability of tourism and conservation operations in the area — sectors that rely heavily on the protection of Hwange’s unique wildlife heritage.”

Asphalt Products managing director Francis Mangwendeza referred questions to the Transport ministry.

“I am not in a position to answer. Ask the Transport ministry,” he said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona did not answer questions sent to him. The government is currently constructing the strategic Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, which is also in a bad state.

Source: Outcry over Hwange park road detour (20/10/2025)

ZIDA attempt to lure investors for US$120 million 200-room Masuwe Hotel & Restaurant Project

[from the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency Linked-in page, mid-October 2025] 

A Landmark $120M Resort Project in Victoria Falls 

Enter the Masuwe Hotel & Restaurant Project a flagship investment poised to transform Victoria Falls.

This US$120 million development will rise on a 19-hectare site within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, Zimbabwe’s first tourism-focused SEZ. It’s no ordinary resort: we’re delivering a 200-bed luxury complex (120 four-star and 80 five-star rooms) complete with high-end restaurants, a spa & wellness center, conference facilities, and leisure amenities tailored to premium travellers. Crucially, the project is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the government’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya Development Company ensuring strong public backing and strategic alignment.

Located adjacent to the new 10,000 seat international cricket stadium (now under construction for World Cup 2027), this resort will be at the heart of Victoria Falls’ growth as a world-class destination. 

The Masuwe resort brings together an unparalleled location, experience, and investment case: Location & Scale: 19-hectare resort development in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone of Victoria Falls.

Facilities: 200-bed [correction: development actually details 200 room, est 400 bed] luxury resort offering 120 four star and 80 five-star rooms, plus world class restaurants, spa, conferencing venues, and leisure amenities for the upscale tourism market.

Flexible Financing: Open to debt, equity, or blended finance – we’re structuring the deal for win-win partnerships.

The Masuwe project also benefits from SEZ incentives (tax breaks, streamlined processes, profit repatriation) to maximize investor gains. This landmark development is more than just a resort, it’s a statement of Zimbabwe’s readiness to host the world and thrive.

Backed by government support and global partnerships, the project aligns with Zimbabwe’s ambition to build a US$5 billion tourism economy and achieve Vision 2030 goals. Victoria Falls is ascending as a global destination for adventure, leisure, and now investment. The Masuwe project is at the forefront of that story. The excitement is tangible, the fundamentals are solid, and the timing couldn’t be better.

Hospitality brands, developers, financiers – this is your chance to be part of an African success story in the making. The world is looking to Victoria Falls; connect with us to explore how you can join this game changing venture and make waves in Zimbabwe’s tourism boom. Let’s build the future of hospitality in one of the world’s most spectacular destinations together. 

See Also: Introducing the Masuwe Commercial Centre - ZIDA attempt to lure investors for US$17 million project (late September 2025)

Read more on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild Website: Masuwe Special Economic Zone

 

 

Zimbabwe Named Top of the World’s Best Countries to Visit in 2025, According to Forbes Travel Guide - Or Has It?

Minister for Tourism Appears to Accept Prestigious Accolade After Ministry's Own Social Media Page Spins Story with No Substance

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 13th October 2025

For the last few days the Zimbabwean Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been promoting a social media post claiming that Zimbabwe was 'recently named by travel experts as the world’s best country to visit in 2025.'

The post, shared on the Ministry's Facebook page three times since 10th October, simply features a photograph of the Victoria Falls with the text 'Forbes - Zimbabwe named the world's best country to visit in 2025, according to travel experts,' without giving any further details or linking to any specific article.

The claim appears after growing negative online and media coverage over increasing tourism development pressures at the Victoria Falls and which threaten the UNESCO World Heritage Site status of the Zimbabwean side of the Falls (Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs, 27th September 2025).

A quick internet search reveals that the national press and tourism industry have reacted with similar claims, with The Herald of 13th October reporting "Zimbabwe has been named the 2025 world best country to visit by Forbes magazine, a renowned global publication" and quoting Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi. 

"We are overjoyed by the acknowledgement from Forbes and global travel experts. As you know, its prestigious when you get such recognition from Forbes and it is confirmation that Zimbabwe is a safe, peaceful, war-free tourist destination," (The Herald, 13th October 2025)

Several online regional tourism news websites and many local tour operators have also picked up on the story and repeated the claims in the belief that Zimbabwe has been recognised by Forbes in their prestigious annual list of top global travel destinations to visit.

But has Zimbabwe really received this grand accolade? The original article on the Forbes.com website, titled 'The World’s Best Countries To Visit In 2025, According To Travel Experts' was posted on 5th August 2025, and is not in fact an award from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide, or even the opinion of independent 'Travel Experts,' but is instead an advertorial feature written by a freelance travel writer and solely based on the online search results from one online travel booking website, kayak.co.uk.

In listing Zimbabwe top of this list, the feature detailed simply "Zimbabwe cities like Bulawayo have seen more than 80% increase in flight searches on Kayak, while Harare has increased by 56% for summer this year."

So despite the grand headlines and Ministerial self-congratulations, Zimbabwe has not been voted top of any global travel destination list by Forbes. Forbes Travel Guide published its prestigious list of top destinations to visit for 2025 in January (Forbes Travel Guide Top 12 Destinations for 2025). Zimbabwe did not make the list. The Minister for Tourism appears therefore to be the victim of her own Ministry's over active spinning of stories on social media, and that rather than drawing attention away from controversial developments at Victoria Falls, their mistake will in fact help put them in the global spotlight. How embarrassing.

Read about the growing tourism development pressures facing the Victoria Falls and which threaten the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing - Keep Victoria Falls Wild.

Furore over Victoria Falls housing stands recall

 The Victoria Falls City Council has come under fire from residents after indicating that it will repossess housing stands from beneficiaries in the BE100 area who fail to pay for them in full by month end amid allegations of corruption.

The Victoria Falls Consortium, a residents association, alleged that the council has already identified new potential beneficiaries and is compelling them to pay a “facilitation fee” to increase their chances of acquiring the stands.

These claims were made in a recent communication sent by the Victoria Falls Consortium to residents in the resort city.

“The Victoria Falls Consortium is reliably informed that the mayor of Victoria Falls, Prince Thuso Moyo, and other senior council officers have embarked on an unprocedural repossession of stands from the BE100 beneficiaries,” the consortium alleged.

“Effectively, they are allegedly taking bribes from individuals who have never been on the waiting list or have been vetted by the vetting committee.

“The information on our desk indicates that the mayor and senior council officers have already engaged new potential beneficiaries, causing them to pay a facilitation fee to increase their chances of benefiting after the October 31, 2025 deadline.”

The consortium noted that while repossession of stands was a standard council procedure for those who fail to pay, it was inappropriate and unprocedural to execute this process ahead of the deadline.

“We strongly believe that the council cannot proceed with repossessions without the following: a publicised council resolution on how the process is to be applied; a process that meets all legal frameworks; and unbiased allocations to new beneficiaries,” the consortium said.

“There should be proof of waiting lists for all new beneficiaries to curb corrupt tendencies where individuals qualify because of bribes.

“The new beneficiaries should be vetted by the same vetting committee before they qualify.

“Thus far, we gather that none of the above tenets have been considered, which is a serious cause for concern.

“Residents should take note of the betrayal by their elected leaders and council management.”

The consortium added: “Furthermore, we advise all BE100 beneficiaries to go to the council immediately and inquire about the status of their stands to ascertain what records are in their files.

“This will avoid last-minute surprises regarding this potential corruption underway,” the communication advised.”

Victoria Falls mayor Moyo dismissed the claims as “mere bar talk”  when contacted for comment.

He said, at a policy level, the council passed a resolution that stands of those who have not paid will be repossessed after October 31.

“What I know is that council passed a resolution to repossess the stands of those who would not have paid by October 31,” Moyo said.

“I also know that in the consortium, two of the leaders have stands and they have not paid in full, so this is an individual person’s issue, and residents must ignore them.”

Moyo said he was being name-dropped to soil his image.

“This is not a mayor’s thing, but a decision made by the council; the mayor does not take people’s stands,” he said.

“At a policy level, I can say stands will be taken after October 31, and I urge those who have not paid to pay so that they do not lose them.

“I also encourage the consortium leaders to lead by example by paying before the stands are taken from them.”

Source: Furore over Victoria Falls housing stands recall (12/10/2025)

READ MORE:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd August 2025) Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk corruption probe.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th March 2025) Minister defends Vic Falls Town Clerk, accuses residents’ groups of politics.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th July 2025) Victoria Falls Residents Consortium slams opposition-led council over alleged corruption, poor service delivery 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th December 2024) Government reverses 'unprocedural suspension' of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th December 2024) Public funds being wasted investigating lies, says suspended Vic Falls Town Clerk.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th December 2024) Corruption and abuse of office - Victoria Falls Town Clerk and 2024 CEO of the year suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th December 2024) Multi-million-dollar scandal rocks Victoria Falls council.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th June 2024) Pushback as Victoria Falls council boss clings to power.

See Also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd January 2024) Victoria Falls former Mayor Somveli Dhlamini loses appeal against conviction, sentence.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th January 2023) Victoria Falls council probe team completes investigations 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th October 2022) Victoria Falls Town Clerk Refuses To Resign Over Corruption Allegations. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (7th October 2022) Land scam: Vic Falls Mayor Dhlamini arrested. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (11th June 2022) Stands corruption storm in Victoria Falls 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th June 2021) Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th June 2021) Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th June 2021) Suspended town clerk gets windfall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2021) Victoria Falls Councillors Accuse Minister July Moyo Of Meddling.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th April 2021) Town Clerk Dube suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2020) Minister Moyo Settles MDC Factions’ Victoria Falls Mayoral Dispute. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (29th February 2020) MDC expels Victoria Falls mayor for defying party directive. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th February 2020) Victoria Falls mayor arrested.