A meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Dubai-based developer Mohamed Alabbar has moved long-discussed hospitality investment plans closer to the next stage, with an executive delegation expected in Zimbabwe later this month.
Zimbabwe has advanced discussions with one of the Middle East’s most prominent property developers over a proposed major investment in the country’s luxury hospitality sector.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa met Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, on 5 September, with both sides indicating that further engagements will take place in Zimbabwe later this month.
Following the meeting, Mnangagwa said the discussions had produced plans for what he described as a “massive new investment in premium hospitality”, intended to bring new world-class luxury hotels to Zimbabwe.
Alabbar separately confirmed the engagement through his official Instagram account, where he was pictured with the Zimbabwean President alongside his son, Rashid Alabbar. He said they hoped to visit the President in Harare soon.
According to Mnangagwa, Alabbar and an executive delegation are expected to travel to Zimbabwe during September to inspect potential sites and finalise details of the proposed development.
The announcement represents a significant step forward in a relationship that has been developing for more than two years. Alabbar’s interest in Zimbabwe’s hotel and property market was first publicly reported following talks with Mnangagwa in Dubai in February 2024, when possible investments in hotels and luxury apartments were discussed.
A developer with a global hospitality footprint
Alabbar is one of the most influential business figures in the United Arab Emirates. He founded Emaar Properties in Dubai in 1997 and is closely associated with developments that have helped define the city’s international profile, including Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
His official business profile states that the ventures connected to his portfolio extend across more than 20 countries and encompass over 400,000 homes, more than 90 hotels and approximately 21,000 hotel rooms.
Emaar’s hospitality interests include Address Hotels + Resorts, Armani Hotels & Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels. No hotel brand has yet been named in connection with the proposed Zimbabwe investment, and neither party has disclosed whether the development would be undertaken directly by Emaar Properties, another Alabbar-linked company or a dedicated investment vehicle.
The scale, value and location of the proposed projects also remain undisclosed. There has been no public confirmation of a signed investment agreement, construction timetable, financing structure or number of hotels involved.
Those details will be important in determining the commercial significance of the announcement and are likely to form part of the delegation’s planned site inspections and follow-up talks.
Why the investment could matter for Zimbabwe
For Zimbabwe, attracting a developer with Alabbar’s record would carry significance beyond the addition of new hotel rooms.
Internationally recognised hospitality assets can strengthen a destination’s ability to attract higher-spending leisure travellers, major conferences, business delegations and long-term investment. Their development can also create demand across construction, transport, food production, professional services, tourism experiences and local supply chains.
Mnangagwa said the proposed investment could generate thousands of jobs, stimulate local business activity and reinforce Zimbabwe’s position as an international tourism destination. These remain government projections at this stage and will depend on the final scale, location and delivery model of the projects.
The discussions come as Zimbabwe’s tourism industry records renewed growth. Figures attributed to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority show that the country received 384,561 international visitors during the first quarter of 2026, an 11 per cent increase from the corresponding period in 2025. Tourism receipts rose 14 per cent to US$251 million, while reported investment in the sector increased from US$12.6 million to US$67.8 million.
Zimbabwe already possesses globally recognised tourism assets, including Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Great Zimbabwe and the Eastern Highlands. However, converting those assets into sustained economic value requires continued investment in accommodation, aviation access, transport, destination infrastructure and service standards.
A major luxury-hotel development could therefore strengthen the country’s premium tourism offering, particularly if it is integrated with local suppliers, skills development and wider destination infrastructure.
From announcement to execution
The planned September visit will be the next test of whether the discussions can move from investor interest to a defined and bankable project.
For government, the priority will be to provide clarity on suitable sites, approvals, land tenure, incentives and supporting infrastructure. For the investor, the commercial case will depend on tourism demand, air connectivity, operating conditions, access to foreign currency and the long-term ability of the properties to attract both regional and international guests.
The meeting also reflects the increasingly important investment relationship between Zimbabwe and the UAE. Dubai has become a central platform for African governments seeking capital, developers, tourism partners and access to Gulf markets. For Zimbabwe, converting those relationships into completed assets would provide a more meaningful measure of success than investment announcements alone.
Alabbar’s expected visit to Harare could provide the first indication of where the hotels may be located, which brands may enter the market and how quickly the proposal can progress.
Until those details are confirmed, the development should be viewed as an advanced investment discussion rather than a finalised construction project. Nevertheless, the renewed commitment from both sides suggests that Zimbabwe’s hospitality market is receiving serious attention from one of the region’s most experienced developers.
