The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) has set out an ambitious portfolio of aviation-linked investment opportunities, positioning the country’s airports as platforms for economic transformation rather than merely transit points. This vision was presented at the Investment Conference hosted by the Financial Markets Indaba in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ).
ACZ Finance Director Verengai Ruswa explained that while airports globally have traditionally relied on passenger traffic and aeronautical charges as their principal revenue streams, this model is increasingly insufficient in the face of changing economic realities. Zimbabwe, he noted, is exploring new ways of unlocking value through diversified commercial projects that integrate sustainability, tourism, trade facilitation, and broader development imperatives. This approach is closely aligned with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into an upper-middle-income society by the end of the decade.
Established in 2018 following the unbundling of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, ACZ now operates airports on a commercial basis. Its mandate is to reposition them as competitive hubs within the Southern African region. With a network spanning key business centres and tourist destinations, the organisation views itself as a natural partner for investors seeking stable, long-term opportunities.
Ruswa outlined four central pillars shaping ACZ’s investment strategy. The first involves renewable energy projects, which are intended to reduce operating costs and contribute to international climate change commitments. African airports are increasingly expected to adapt to UNFCCC-aligned climate frameworks, and Zimbabwe is positioning itself to follow that trajectory.
The second pillar focuses on air cargo development. Zimbabwe has long been a key exporter of agricultural produce, minerals, and other commodities, yet much of the country’s airport infrastructure remains underutilised. By enhancing cargo handling facilities and services, ACZ aims to support exporters and strengthen the country’s integration into global supply chains, echoing the World Bank’s findings on Zimbabwe’s trade potential.
The third area encompasses hospitality and real estate ventures. Plans for hotels, conference facilities, and business parks located within airport precincts are designed to attract both business and leisure travellers, while also generating employment and ancillary services. In many parts of Africa, airports are increasingly becoming the nucleus for urban development, and ACZ is seeking to replicate these models within Zimbabwe.
The final pillar is the development of commercial services such as retail outlets, advertising platforms, vehicle parking, and other passenger-focused amenities. These ventures aim to enhance the traveller experience while providing additional streams of non-aeronautical revenue.
Delegates at the conference were informed that ACZ intends to pursue these initiatives primarily through public–private partnerships. Ruswa underscored that such frameworks create a foundation for shared value creation, balancing investor confidence with national development objectives. This approach mirrors wider African trends in infrastructure modernisation, where governments and private stakeholders increasingly collaborate to leverage the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The investment case, Ruswa argued, is strengthened by a convergence of supportive government policy, rising demand in both trade and tourism, and a clear willingness from stakeholders to pursue collaboration. Tourism, in particular, continues to be a significant driver of Zimbabwe’s foreign exchange earnings, with the country’s diverse natural and cultural attractions maintaining global appeal. Similarly, trade facilitation under AfCFTA is expected to increase the strategic importance of regional airports in linking African markets.
The broader message conveyed by ACZ is that airports must now be seen as more than runways and terminals. They can serve as vital engines for national and regional growth, stimulating new industries while supporting existing ones. This perspective reflects a pan-African shift in reimagining airports not merely as logistical nodes but as dynamic ecosystems of commerce, employment, and innovation.
By aligning its strategy with global sustainability goals and regional integration efforts, Zimbabwe’s ACZ is positioning its airports as entry points to wider economic opportunity. The emphasis is less on a singular narrative of aviation expansion and more on a nuanced understanding of how airports can serve multiple roles within interconnected African economies. With the right partnerships, ACZ argues, Zimbabwe’s airports can evolve into catalysts for resilient and inclusive development.
