US$100 Million Afreximbank Trade Centre Set to Drive Zimbabwe’s Investment Comeback
HARARE — Zimbabwe is set to become a key regional investment destination with the near completion of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) African Trade Centre in Harare.
The US$100 million facility, expected to be commissioned in the coming months, will include a conference and exhibition centre, hotel, business offices, and a technology park.
The development is expected to attract multinational companies, regional banks, and trade organisations, while boosting investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure and economic potential.
A site visit by ZBC News on Thursday confirmed that construction is progressing steadily and remains on schedule.
Experts say the project marks a turning point for Zimbabwe’s construction sector.
Ishumael Gura, President of the Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe, said the facility has already changed the industry’s outlook.
“Zimbabwe has been facing a huge deficit in terms of new projects, but this development has shifted the landscape. We expect it to be a game-changer that draws global interest,” he said.
He also noted the project’s consistency since its launch.
“From the time construction began three years ago, there were no failures or funding shortages. That shows Afreximbank’s confidence in Zimbabwe’s long-term potential,” Gura added.
Architectural Technologist Ms Ntombiyehlile Dube highlighted the project’s economic impact.
“This development has created jobs across construction value chains and signals growth. The hotel will also help ease Harare’s accommodation shortage,” she said.
She added that the project reflects the Second Republic’s commitment to infrastructure-led development.
“For many years the Harare construction landscape had been stagnant, and what we are seeing is another huge milestone for the Second Republic in attracting investors within the construction value chains—so indeed it is a welcome development in the sense of its positive implications or effects to the economy and the general welfare of Zimbabweans.”
Afreximbank has supported Zimbabwe with over US$5 billion in funding over the past two decades.
The Trade Centre reflects renewed confidence from international institutions and aligns with government efforts to improve the ease of doing business.
Once operational, the facility is expected to reshape Harare’s skyline and serve as a catalyst for regional integration and long-term economic growth.
