Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday officially commissioned the Greenfields Retail Centre situated at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Showgrounds, describing the development as a major milestone in the country’s drive towards modernization, economic growth and improved quality of life.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mnangagwa said the new shopping complex symbolizes the transition into a more diversified and commercially vibrant economy.
“This modern Greenfields Retail Centre ushers in a new phase of accelerated commercialization and transformation to leap forward our people into a higher quality of life,” he said.
Located within the historic Showgrounds, long associated with Zimbabwe’s agricultural heritage, the facility represents a blend of tradition and modern economic development.
President Mnangagwa noted that the site has, over the years, been central to knowledge exchange, market access and agricultural innovation.
“The establishment of this modern shopping complex within these environs is an honour to the rich legacy of our agriculture sector,” he said.
He commended the partnership behind the project, which includes the Tigere Real Estate Investment Trust, Terrace Africa and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS), saying their collaboration reflects the success of the “Whole of Government and Society Approach”.
President Mnangagwa said the policy reforms introduced in 2021 to support Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have begun yielding tangible results.
“Tigere REIT took the well-calculated risk to make massive investments towards growing our country’s real estate portfolio. Today, it stands as Zimbabwe’s largest Real Estate Investment Trust,” he said.
He said the investment entity is set to expand further, with plans for 12 additional projects by 2030, while its asset value is projected to more than double, benefiting both institutional and individual investors.
President Mnangagwa also underscored the importance of local content in infrastructure development, applauding the use of locally sourced materials in the construction of the retail centre in line with the “Buy Zimbabwe” initiative.
Turning to the broader economy, President Mnangagwa said the wholesale and retail sector remains a critical pillar of national development, contributing over 11 percent to the Gross Domestic Product in 2024.
“The sector is not a mere beneficiary, but one of the key drivers of sustainable economic growth,” he said, adding that growth is projected to reach 7.4 percent by 2026 under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS-2),” he said.
He urged investors to embrace modern, climate-smart and resilient infrastructure designs, while also tapping into local skills and innovation, particularly among the youth.
President Mnangagwa further called on developers to replicate such projects across the country, including in high-density suburbs, rural areas and along major highways.
He reiterated that Zimbabwe remains open to both local and foreign investment, inviting global brands to take advantage of opportunities across the country.
The Greenfields Retail Centre is expected to enhance the shopping experience for residents and visitors, while contributing to job creation, formal business growth and increased demand for locally manufactured goods.
New Ziana
