Dr Paul Tungwarara has emerged as a central figure in Zimbabwe’s latest effort to attract high-value international investment after facilitating a meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mohamed Alabbar, the Dubai-based founder of Emaar Properties.
The engagement has opened a fresh conversation about major hospitality and tourism projects in Zimbabwe, with Alabbar and an executive delegation expected to return to the country later this month for site inspections and further discussions. President Mnangagwa said the meeting was arranged and coordinated by Tungwarara, his Special Advisor on Investment and Empowerment.
The President described the discussions as productive and said plans had been finalised for a proposed major investment in premium hospitality, including world-class luxury hotels. The announcement is significant because it places Zimbabwe before an investor whose business interests, according to his official biography, extend across real estate, hospitality, retail, technology and other sectors in more than 20 countries.
Tungwarara’s role demonstrates the importance of economic diplomacy in securing attention from global business leaders. While investment projects require feasibility studies, approvals and formal agreements, they often begin with the creation of trust and the establishment of a direct channel between decision-makers and investors.
That bridge-building function is particularly important for Zimbabwe as it seeks to translate its natural resources, skilled people and tourism assets into sustainable economic opportunity. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has identified hotels, conference facilities, restaurants, theme parks, water sports and other visitor services as areas open to investment.
The proposed Alabbar engagement could therefore become a platform for broader collaboration. Luxury hotels can generate demand for local construction firms, food producers, transport operators, designers, technology companies and hospitality professionals. They can also strengthen conference tourism and improve the country’s capacity to host international visitors.
President Mnangagwa publicly praised Tungwarara for driving economic diplomacy and bridging international partnerships. That recognition places the Special Advisor at the centre of an important national task: presenting Zimbabwe as a credible destination for investors who are prepared to think beyond short-term returns.
The next stage will be the practical one. The September visit is expected to allow Alabbar’s delegation to inspect sites and refine potential projects. For Tungwarara, it will be an opportunity to help convert high-level engagement into investment proposals that are transparent, commercially viable and beneficial to Zimbabwean communities.
Zimbabwe’s appeal is clear. The country offers Victoria Falls, national parks, Great Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba and other attractions, while tourism investment has continued to grow. The U.S. International Trade Administration reported that Zimbabwe attracted approximately $190.5 million in tourism investment in 2024, with accommodation receiving the largest share.
By connecting Zimbabwe’s opportunities with an internationally experienced investor, Tungwarara has helped place economic diplomacy at the heart of the country’s investment story. The success of the initiative will ultimately be measured by jobs created, businesses supported and projects delivered—but the bridge has now been built.
