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.