Plans to open the Great Zimbabwe Development Project are almost finished. Representatives from the French Embassy, heritage experts, and officials from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) recently met to review progress and finalize details.
The meeting included archaeologist Professor Munyaradzi Manyanga and Dr. Pikirayi Mupira of NMMZ. The project’s goal is to protect and promote Great Zimbabwe, one of Africa’s most important historic sites.
Great Zimbabwe, in Masvingo Province, is a stone-built settlement from the 11th–14th centuries. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and is the largest dry-stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa.
The project is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and carried out with support from UNESCO and the United Nations Office for Project Services. NMMZ is the main local partner. The budget is about three million euros.
The work includes:
– Better conservation of the site
– Upgraded visitor facilities
– Promoting sustainable tourism
– Training locals to manage the site
– Supporting community cultural and economic activities
Key features will be new infrastructure, improved visitor information, and a cultural hub to celebrate Shona heritage and create opportunities for youth and women.
The project is expected to boost tourism by improving the visitor experience and helping local communities through jobs and income. French officials say this shows strong cooperation between France and Zimbabwe.
As the project nears completion, it is seen as a major step in protecting Zimbabwe’s heritage and making Great Zimbabwe a top cultural tourism destination in the region.
