Global hospitality powerhouse Radisson Hotel Group has officially entered the Zimbabwean market, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s investment climate. Teaming up with leading local developer WestProp Holdings, Radisson is set to launch a flagship serviced apartment hotel at Millennium Heights in Harare — marking a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s real estate and tourism development.
The $13.5 million project, located in the upscale Borrowdale suburb, will operate under the Radisson Apartment Hotel brand and feature 147 fully furnished serviced apartments. These units will combine the comfort of residential living with hotel-style amenities, offering modern conveniences such as kitchens, living areas, and hotel services like housekeeping, reception, and security. The development is designed to meet the growing demand for premium, secure, and accessible accommodation in the capital.
Zimbabwe becomes the 35th country in Africa to host a Radisson brand. According to Ramsay Rankoussi, Radisson’s Vice President for Development in Africa and Turkey, Zimbabwe has long been considered a strategic market, but entry hinged on finding the right local partner. That partner turned out to be WestProp, whose capacity and local market understanding convinced Radisson to make its move.
Rankoussi emphasized that Radisson’s business model relies on partnering with developers, rather than constructing hotel properties themselves. In this arrangement, WestProp will handle development and ownership, while Radisson provides brand value, operational management, and training support. The Millennium Heights location, along with WestProp’s commitment to high-quality real estate, helped seal the deal.
While Harare marks the first phase of Radisson’s Zimbabwe entry, the group has already set its sights on Victoria Falls. Known globally as a major tourist magnet, the resort town represents an ideal opportunity for the hotel chain to expand its leisure travel offerings in the region. Radisson already operates successfully across the border in Livingstone, Zambia, and hopes to replicate that model in Zimbabwe.
The partnership with WestProp also aligns with the developer’s long-term goal to lay down one billion bricks by 2030. Currently, WestProp has placed 87 million bricks across several signature projects, including Pomona City, Pokugara Residential Estate, Gunhill Rise, and the Warren Hills Golf Estate. CEO Ken Sharpe explained that the serviced apartment model at Millennium Heights was conceived to offer something fresh in the hospitality sector — a modern, branded, and affordable option with an international touch.
Discussions with Radisson began during the ZimReal property conference and culminated in a binding agreement signed in May this year. Sharpe hinted at more hospitality developments in Harare, suggesting that WestProp sees potential to introduce two more branded hotels in the capital.
The project also reinforces Zimbabwe’s National Human Settlement Policy launched in 2021, which encourages vertical development to address urban housing and infrastructure challenges. Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, said developments like Millennium Heights validate the policy’s vision. He called on other developers to emulate the model and help modernize aging infrastructure in Harare and surrounding suburbs.
With a global portfolio of more than 1,500 hotels across 95 countries, Radisson brings extensive international experience and brand recognition to Zimbabwe. The Millennium Heights project is expected to boost employment, elevate hospitality standards, and enhance the country’s appeal to both business and leisure travelers.
By focusing on strategic partnerships and market-driven expansion, Radisson’s entry into Zimbabwe is not only a testament to the country’s potential but also a blueprint for sustainable hospitality growth in emerging markets. As the hotel group looks ahead to Victoria Falls and beyond, Zimbabwe could soon find itself at the center of a regional tourism revival.
