Victoria Falls – The development of a US$66,9 million integrated Tourism Park in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has gathered momentum after Cabinet approved a strategic public-private partnership between the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (MOTDC) and JR Goddard Contracting.
The partnership will facilitate the construction of on-site and off-site infrastructure within the tourism precinct, paving the way for large-scale investment and supporting Government’s drive to position the resort city as a world-class tourism destination.
Implementation will begin around the under-construction Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Stadium before expanding across the 272-hectare Tourism Park, which forms part of the 1 200-hectare Masuwe Special Economic Zone.
The project will provide critical infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sewerage systems, electricity, stormwater drainage and other essential services required to attract tourism and commercial investments.
Speaking during a tour of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval by Vice President, Dr Kembo Mohadi last week, MOTDC board chairperson Phineas Makombe said the project marked a major milestone in Government’s long-term tourism development strategy.
He said MOTDC, a State-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, was established to plan, develop, manage and promote world-class tourism infrastructure in Zimbabwe’s premier tourism destination.
Makombe said Government established the Masuwe Special Economic Zone through Statutory Instrument 18 of 2018 to facilitate investment in tourism infrastructure and financial services, with MOTDC managing 272 hectares earmarked for the integrated Tourism Park.
He said the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Stadium would serve as the anchor project for the wider master plan, which also includes internationally branded hotels and resorts, a medical and wellness precinct, a championship golf estate, commercial and recreational facilities and a Culinary and Hospitality School to be developed in partnership with UN Tourism.
Under the joint venture agreement, MOTDC will contribute 271,5 hectares of land valued at US$25,6 million as equity, while the JR Goddard Consortium will invest US$66,9 million towards infrastructure development.
The shareholding structure allocates 39 percent to MOTDC and 61 percent to the consortium, with investors expected to recover profits over a 25-year period.
The project forms part of the Second Republic’s strategy to expand tourism infrastructure, attract investment, create employment and accelerate progress towards Vision 2030 through increased private sector participation.
