from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
HARARE, (CAJ News) – CONSTRUCTION of the Harare African Trade Centre (HAATC) — the future southern Africa regional headquarters of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) — is being hailed as one of Zimbabwe’s most transformative economic projects, expected to boost trade, investment, and innovation across the continent and beyond.
Valued between US$80 million and US$95 million, according to sources close to the development, the HAATC is designed to be a fully integrated complex that will house Afreximbank’s regional office while serving as a trade, investment, and innovation hub linking Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider African Diaspora.
The complex will feature a world-class hotel, a state-of-the-art conference centre, a trade information facility, and a technology incubation lab, positioning Harare as a key player in Africa’s growing intra-continental trade ecosystem.
“The establishment of the African Trade Centre in Harare is a visionary milestone that strengthens Zimbabwe’s strategic position as a regional trade hub,” said Charmaine Moyo, a Zimbabwean economist and trade analyst.
“This transformative project will boost investment, innovation, and infrastructure while deepening continental integration under Afreximbank’s leadership. It is a true catalyst for Africa’s shared prosperity and industrial growth.”
The project aligns closely with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, promoting industrialization and regional value chains.
Afreximbank officials have said the centre will host the Intra-African Trade Fair Company (IATFCO) headquarters, further anchoring Zimbabwe’s role as a facilitator of continental trade and investment dialogue.
“The Harare African Trade Centre will be a focal point for policy coordination, innovation, and business engagement across southern Africa,” said a source close to Afreximbank.
“It will enable the flow of trade data, enhance access to finance, and connect entrepreneurs to new opportunities.”
Beyond its symbolic significance, the HAATC is expected to deliver tangible economic benefits. Analysts predict a strong multiplier effect across Zimbabwe’s hospitality, construction, and services sectors.
The presence of a high-end hotel and modern conference facilities is expected to draw international delegations, business travelers, and global investors — further strengthening Harare’s standing as a regional business destination.
Additionally, the trade information and technology innovation components are expected to support local entrepreneurs, improve access to trade intelligence, and foster a startup ecosystem geared toward export-oriented industries.
Economists believe the HAATC could spur infrastructure upgrades in transportation, power supply, and digital connectivity, all critical for Zimbabwe’s long-term competitiveness.
Regional observers see the HAATC as a concrete demonstration of Africa’s growing determination to finance and manage its own development priorities.
“This is not just a building project,” said Moyo. “It symbolizes Africa’s confidence in itself — in its entrepreneurs, its innovators, and its ability to trade with the world on equal footing.”
The HAATC’s completion, expected soon, will mark a defining milestone in Zimbabwe’s economic revitalization and Afreximbank’s continental vision to promote intra-African trade and sustainable growth.
— CAJ News