Source: Bulawayo draws 369 bids in US$90m investment surge – herald
Nqobile Bhebhe , nqobile.bhebhe@chronicle.co.zw
BULAWAYO’S ambitious drive to reposition itself as a prime investment destination has gained momentum, with the city attracting an overwhelming 369 investment proposals worth an estimated US$90 million for strategic development projects.
The surge in investor interest — one of the strongest endorsements of the city’s economic potential in recent years — follows the local authority’s call for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) targeting key infrastructure and commercial developments across high-value zones.
A report by the city’s internal audit and risk management department confirms the robust response, signalling renewed private sector confidence in Bulawayo’s long-term growth trajectory.
The proposals cut across key sectors, including medical facilities, office parks, hotels, fuel service stations and townhouses — a diverse investment mix that reflects growing confidence in Bulawayo’s long-term economic prospects and its re-emergence as a commercial and industrial powerhouse.
In January, Bulawayo City Council invited EOIs, closing the process on February 13, as it sought to attract high-value local, regional and international investors to spearhead projects such as a five-star hotel, medical suites, town housing and office parks — developments expected to redefine one of the city’s major gateways.
According to the report, the George Avenue Corridor and other targeted sites collectively drew proposals worth about US$90 million, a figure the local authority said could deliver a major economic boost if translated into actual projects.
“The George Avenue corridor and other areas of expressions of interest attracted investment proposals estimated to US$90 million. If those investment proposals were implemented that would have a significant impact on the economy of Bulawayo,” part of the report.
“That council put in place a special express committee to speed up the approval of plans for major investment projects and also reduce the acceptance of offer period from one month to one week.”
To accelerate project implementation, council has moved to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks by establishing a special express committee to fast-track approvals for major investments. The new framework will also slash the acceptance-of-offer period from one month to just one week — a decisive shift aimed at improving turnaround times.
The bulk of applications were for business and commercial developments (105), followed by townhouses (92), fuel service stations (36), hospitals (23), hotels (19) and office parks (17), underlining strong demand across both social and economic infrastructure.
However, not all bids made the cut. Some applications were disqualified at preliminary stages due to administrative and technical shortcomings, including incorrect stand numbers, non-compliant proposals and missing critical financial information.
Despite this, the strong response signals renewed private sector appetite at a time when the local authority is intensifying efforts to unlock value from its land bank and crowd in capital for infrastructure and service delivery.
Economist and Tagrite & Chikonzi Consultancy co-director Ms Alice Chikonzi said the establishment of the express committee could be a game-changer in addressing long-standing investor concerns.
“This move is likely to enhance ease of doing business in Bulawayo and improve the city’s ability to convert investment interest into tangible developments,” she said.
“As the city works to reposition itself as a leading economic centre, the volume of proposals and the US$90 million in potential investments underscore the significant economic impact that could be realised through efficient implementation and investor-friendly policies.”
Key projects such as hotel developments are expected to close longstanding infrastructure gaps. Bulawayo has struggled with limited five-star accommodation, a challenge that becomes pronounced during major conferences and exhibitions such the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
New hotels, alongside medical facilities, office parks and housing developments, are expected to enhance the city’s social infrastructure, support urban renewal and ease accommodation pressures, while strengthening supply chains and industrial activity.
The investment drive is anchored on Local Development Plan Number 19, gazetted last year, which opened up traditionally low-density suburbs such as Suburbs, Kumalo and Parklands for mixed-use commercial transformation.
The shift is already taking shape, with corporates and institutions — including World Vision, the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), NGOs and car dealerships — relocating from the central business district to suburban business nodes.
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