By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — Long after the last exhibitor packs up and the final buyer departs, Masvingo will be a changed city. Sanganai/Hlanganai/Dzimbahwe 2026 is leaving a tangible infrastructure legacy that will benefit the province for years to come.
Airport Upgrade Underway
Rehabilitation works have commenced at Masvingo Airport as part of broader efforts to strengthen the province’s capacity to handle increased tourist traffic associated with the prestigious international tourism showcase.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe confirmed that the upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure, improve the passenger experience, and strengthen Masvingo’s capacity to accommodate increased tourist traffic.
“The ongoing works reaffirm Zimbabwe’s commitment to developing modern, safe and efficient airport infrastructure that supports the growth of the tourism industry and contributes to the national vision of positioning Zimbabwe as a premier tourism destination,” ACZ said in an update.
Gymkhana Tourism Park Nears Completion
Works at the Gymkhana Tourism Park, the main venue for the Expo, are now about 80 percent complete, with authorities introducing 24-hour shifts to accelerate the remaining work ahead of the September showcase.
The facility, which will serve as the heart of the Expo, is set to include a restaurant, bar, gastronomy hub, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices, and a mini-stadium. A conference centre is planned as a future development after Sanganai, further positioning the park as a major events and tourism hub for Masvingo.
“The development, which is being accelerated ahead of the September tourism showcase, will include a restaurant, bar, gastronomy hub, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority offices and a mini-stadium, positioning the facility as a key tourism and leisure hub in the province,” the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Ministry said in an update.
Whole-of-Government Approach Delivers Results
Beyond the Expo venue, road improvements and upgrades to the Expo site are strengthening connectivity and leaving infrastructure capable of supporting tourism long after the event.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi highlighted the strategic importance of these upgrades, noting that the airport refurbishment mirrors similar work undertaken in Mutare when that city hosted the Expo.
“As we devolve Sanganai Tourism Expo, our objective is to bring tourism infrastructure into the cities, particularly the five cities that drive the tourism sector in the country. This year, we are seeing the refurbishment of the Masvingo Airport terminals, the same way that we did with Mutare,” she said.
A Strategic Location
Minister Rwodzi also emphasised Masvingo’s strategic position along the regional Cape-to-Cairo corridor and the opportunity to unlock investment in five-star accommodation, conference facilities, restaurants, lodges, and other tourism products.
The upgrades to Masvingo Airport, roads, and the Gymkhana Tourism Park are expected to improve airlift, accessibility, and last-mile connectivity, leaving durable infrastructure for the province.
A Legacy of Devolution
The infrastructure push is part of a deliberate strategy to use the rotating Sanganai model to spread tourism investment and infrastructure development beyond traditional host cities.
The decision aligns with Vision 2030 and the economic transformation thrust under the National Development Strategy 2.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the province is looking beyond the four-day event: “We are ready to host this important international event, and we believe it is going to leave a lasting impact on the province.
“We are not only looking at hosting the expo, but we are looking at the opportunities that will come with it, particularly in terms of tourism investment, infrastructure development, employment creation and the growth of local businesses”.
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