The commissioning of new offices for the Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (Private) Limited (MOTDC) has marked a milestone in Government’s drive to accelerate tourism investment, infrastructure development and economic growth in Victoria Falls.
The offices were officially commissioned by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, advancing a development vision conceived in 2012 to unlock the tourism potential of the resort city.
Minister Rwodzi expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for enabling the company to establish its first offices since its inception, highlighting progress made over the past two years, including a partnership with the J.R. Goddard Consortium.
The development comes as preparations advance for works at the 271-hectare Masuwe Special Economic Zone, which is expected to transform Victoria Falls’ tourism landscape through a US$66.9 million public-private partnership between MOTDC and Victoria Seven Investments.
The partnership will provide essential infrastructure, including water, sewerage, electricity and telecommunications, laying the foundation for a range of tourism, commercial and residential developments.
Plans for the special economic zone include hotels, lodges, villas, holiday homes, a golf estate, commercial and financial precincts, as well as hospitals targeting medical tourism.
The project will also feature a Gastronomy and Culinary Arts school in partnership with UN Tourism, creating opportunities to strengthen hospitality skills, culinary tourism and professional training.
The proposed developments are expected to diversify Victoria Falls’ tourism offering beyond its traditional attractions, encouraging longer visitor stays, attracting new investment and creating employment opportunities across various sectors.
Further opportunities are emerging through the Mosi-oa-Tunya Cricket Oval, being developed by Zimbabwe Cricket and nearing completion. The facility is expected to strengthen the city’s potential to attract sporting events and investment, adding sports tourism to its growing portfolio.
The combined developments are expected to stimulate business growth, create jobs and expand opportunities for local enterprises, while strengthening Victoria Falls’ position as a leading tourism and investment destination.
The initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which emphasise infrastructure development, investment mobilisation and sustainable economic growth.
Through the establishment of its offices and the planned development of the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, MOTDC is positioning itself to play a central role in translating Victoria Falls’ tourism potential into tangible economic opportunities.
The projects are expected to contribute to the broader development of the city by supporting tourism diversification, improving infrastructure and attracting private-sector participation in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.
