The Government has put into motion plans for the construction of a state-of-the-art national stadium in Harare’s new administrative capital of Mount Hampden.
On the sidelines of the just-ended 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Government officials from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion held a high-level engagement with senior executives from Mabetex Group to advance plans for the construction of the facility.
The proposed stadium features a retractable roof and will be a mixed-use global venue for international football, rugby, major concerts and large-scale events. In a statement yesterday, the ministry said the landmark project will redefine Zimbabwe’s sporting and cultural landscape.
“A catalytic investment for urban growth, youth empowerment, and national pride, unlocking talent and positioning Zimbabwe firmly on the world stage.
“The meeting included Mabetex founder and chairman Mr Behgjet Pacolli and general counsel Mr Korab Toplica, cementing the project’s credibility and commercial strength,” said the ministry.
Mabetex Group, internationally recognised as one of the world’s foremost engineering, development, and general contracting firms, responsible for some of the most iconic large-scale infrastructure projects globally, has enabled a comprehensive development programme in collaboration with the world football governing body, FIFA.
This programme supports the project through technical expertise, strategic alignment, and the establishment of a robust 30-year repayment financing arrangement to ensure successful delivery without burdening the Treasury.
“The development is positioned as a transformational national asset, driving urban growth, enhancing international visibility, and delivering long-term economic and social impact.
“This initiative reflects a bold and forward-looking commitment to redefining Zimbabwe’s sporting, cultural, and entertainment infrastructure, signalling strong international confidence, strategic global partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to excellence at the highest international standards.”
The Ministry of Finance said the new stadium will align the country with global trends, recognising the growing value of sports and its importance in fostering national pride and economic development.
“Zimbabwe has a booming youthful population, making the stadium a timely infrastructural development investment that will unlock sporting talent and enable the country to join the rest of the world in taking sport as a full-time occupation in line with global trends,” said the Ministry.
The development comes at a time when the country’s premier league football teams and the national team have been using stadiums mainly in South Africa as their home ground for international matches after the country’s stadiums were deemed unfit to host such matches by the Confederation of African Football.
The Government is currently working on refurbishing the National Sports Stadium to ensure that it meets CAF standards.
