ZIMBABWE TOUTS “CLUSTER APPROACH” TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT AT UAE-AFRICA TOURISM SUMMIT

Positioning itself as a prime destination for global tourism investment, Zimbabwe is actively participating at the inaugural UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operating under the strategic theme “Tourism at the Heart of Africa’s Growth Agenda,” the Zimbabwean delegation is utilizing the high-profile platform to capitalize on its recently elevated international status.

The delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Tongai Mnangagwa, includes key officials from the Ministry, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company, and the Zimbabwe-UAE Embassy. Their mission is to highlight the nation’s vast tourism investment potential and its commitment to Sustainable Development initiatives that align with global Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

This strategic presence in Dubai follows a massive boost to the country’s global appeal: its recent recognition by Forbes Magazine as the World’s Number One Destination to Visit in 2025. This prestigious commendation has significantly elevated Zimbabwe’s brand on the international stage and signalled a renewed sense of investor confidence in the sector, providing a powerful narrative for the delegation to present to prospective partners.

During a high-level Ministerial Roundtable, chaired by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Hon. Mnangagwa presented Zimbabwe’s innovative Tourism Cluster Approach. This strategy aims to integrate the tourism sector with multiple other economic sectors—such as infrastructure, conservation, agriculture, and culture—to ensure tourism-led growth is broad-based, diversified, and mutually beneficial across the entire economy.

The Summit brings together over 350 delegates from 20 African countries and the UAE, including Ministers, influential investors, and private sector leaders, all exploring transformative partnerships for the continent’s growth. With the UAE having already reaffirmed its commitment to Africa through over $110 billion in investments since 2019, the event marks a new era of robust UAE–Africa cooperation. Zimbabwe is seeking to secure significant capital to fund critical projects, including new hotel development, infrastructure upgrades, and the expansion of sustainable tourism offerings within its major hubs like Victoria Falls and key wildlife parks, ensuring that the country can meet the anticipated surge in visitor numbers driven by its new, prestigious global ranking and fully realize its tourism potential.