Masvingo Targets $8B Economy as Tourism Expo Champions Heritage and Infrastructure Drive

Masvingo Province is positioning itself as a premier destination for global capital, setting an ambitious target to build an $8 billion provincial economy by 2030.

Speaking at the Tourism Investment Forum—hosted at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre during the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo—government leaders called on investors to transform strategic tourism proposals into tangible, high-impact projects.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Ezra Chadzamira, declared the province open for transformative partnerships, emphasizing that hosting the international expo reflects high confidence in Masvingo’s trajectory. Chadzamira noted that the showcase directly embodies the Second Republic’s devolution mandate of “leaving no one and no place behind.”

​Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi reinforced this momentum, stating that Zimbabwe’s expanding tourism sector—marked by rising arrivals, increased visitor spending, and growing investment inflows—is a deliberate result of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 to achieve an upper-middle-income economy.

To support this economic trajectory, leaders outlined urgent, high-value investment channels across the province:

​Hospitality Infrastructure: Projected tourist growth requires an additional 1,500 hotel rooms by 2027, creating immediate opportunities for luxury lodges, boutique eco-hotels, and conference facilities. Multi-million-dollar upgrades to the iconic Great Zimbabwe Hotel, alongside provincial airport and road corridor upgrades, are already underway.

​Tugwi-Mukosi Resort Hub: A comprehensive 20-year master plan around the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam offers a clean-slate opportunity for integrated smart-resort development, water sports, and eco-tourism.

​Heritage & Safari Circuits: Strategic expansion surrounding core assets like the UNESCO World Heritage Great Zimbabwe Monuments, Gonarezhou National Park (slated for key utility and golf infrastructure expansion), and Kyle Recreational Park.

​Community-Centered Projects: Targeted developments around the Map Rock formation, including planned restaurants and local homestay accommodation conversions, designed to directly uplift rural livelihoods.

Minister Rwodzi urged delegates to push past theoretical concepts and deliver concrete infrastructure, highlighting that Masvingo’s deep historical legacy offers investors a foundation rooted in civilization and enduring value. Echoing her call, Minister Chadzamira emphasized that beyond financial yields, successful joint ventures must prioritize local skills transfer, sustainable job creation, and long-term community empowerment.