By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — As Zimbabwe celebrates record tourism investment and a surge in international arrivals, the government is insisting that growth must be inclusive—benefiting communities, youth, women, and local entrepreneurs across the country.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, addressing the Zimbabwe Tourism Investment Forum at the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo, made clear that sustainability and inclusion must remain central to the sector’s development.
Tourism as a Catalyst for Inclusive Development
Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi has consistently emphasised that tourism must drive “economic transformation, investment mobilisation, employment creation, community empowerment, infrastructure development and sustainable development.”
The numbers support this vision. President Mnangagwa noted that the socio-economic dividends from tourism investments are creating jobs and improving infrastructure, including roads, accommodation, and social services.
Tourism creates linkages across agriculture, transport, construction, ICT, finance, culture, and the creative industries.
Creating Opportunities for Communities
Minister Ncube called on tourism investors to ensure that their projects protect natural resources and heritage, promote climate resilience, use water and energy responsibly, and create opportunities for communities, young people, women, local entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
The devolved model of the Sanganai Expo itself reflects this commitment. By rotating the event between provinces—from Bulawayo to Mutare to Masvingo, and next year to Mashonaland West—the government is ensuring that tourism benefits are spread across the country rather than concentrated in traditional hubs.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi emphasised that buyers at this year’s expo were deliberately scattered across Masvingo Province—to Chiredzi, Tugwi-Mukosi, Bikita, and Zaka—rather than pooled in one hotel.
“They are here to explore Masvingo so that after Sanganai/Hlanganani they will sell Masvingo Province, not just Victoria Falls, Bulawayo or Harare,” she said.
Youth and Women at the Centre
The government has established Youth Agriculture Entrepreneur Hubs across provinces and broadened the reach of the Women in Agriculture Fund to ensure that “no one and no place is left behind.”
The Young Women for Economic Development (YW4ED) movement, founded by ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera, has become a vehicle for empowering young women through savings programmes, livestock pass-on schemes, and business development initiatives.
Over 8,500 young women from across Zimbabwe’s ten provinces gathered for the movement’s convention in August.
Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth
The infrastructure being developed for tourism—from the refurbishment of Masvingo Airport to the development of the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre—is designed to benefit local communities long after the Expo ends.
Minister Ncube emphasised that flagship projects like the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Victoria Falls and the Tokwe-Mukosi development in Masvingo must be integrated investment propositions that create jobs and economic opportunities for surrounding communities.
A National Ambition
The message from Zimbabwe’s leadership is clear: tourism growth must be transformational, not extractive.
As Minister Ncube concluded: “The success of this Forum will not be measured by speeches delivered or business cards exchanged, but by investments secured, projects financed, hotels and lodges built, businesses established, jobs created, tourists welcomed and communities transformed.”
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