Hilton signs deal for first Zimbabwe hotel with Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands
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Hilton has signed an agreement with developer Terrace Africa to open the Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands, its first hotel in Zimbabwe, as part of the capital's mixed-use Highlands Precinct development.
Global hospitality group Hilton has signed an agreement with property developer Terrace Africa to develop the Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands, marking Hilton's first hotel in Zimbabwe and the first Hilton Garden Inn property in the country.
The 140-room development will sit in one of Harare's established residential and diplomatic districts, about 20-25km from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and forms part of the Highlands Precinct, a mixed-use development comprising offices, retail, dining, residences, hotels and conferencing facilities.
Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer for the Middle East and Africa at Hilton, said the group sees potential in Zimbabwe's hospitality market as international arrivals increase. "Entering Zimbabwe marks an important milestone in Hilton's continued expansion across Africa and reflects our confidence in the country's long-term hospitality potential," he said.
Zimbabwe recorded more than 1.7 million international arrivals in 2025, with Harare functioning as a commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway. Brett Abrahamse, director at Terrace Africa, said the Hilton agreement forms part of the precinct's broader development strategy. The hotel is intended to serve business and leisure travellers, with rooms and suites alongside an all-day restaurant, lobby café and bar, gym, swimming pool and meeting facilities.
The deal comes as Hilton expands its African footprint. The group currently has more than 70 trading hotels across the continent and more than 100 in its pipeline, with over half of the pipeline located in Sub-Saharan Africa.