DAVOS – Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Finance officials have held a high-level meeting with senior executives from the Mabetex Group to advance plans for the construction of a state-of-the-art National Stadium in the country’s new administrative capital, Mount Hampden.
The engagement marks a significant step in a project the government says could transform Zimbabwe’s sporting and cultural infrastructure while stimulating wider urban development.
The meeting brought together Mabetex Founder and Chairman Behgjet Pacolli and the company’s General Counsel, Korab Toplica, in discussions aimed at firming up the project’s technical and financial framework. Officials described the involvement of the Swiss-based civil engineering and construction firm as a boost to the project’s credibility, given the company’s track record in delivering large-scale international infrastructure.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Mabetex is working alongside FIFA-aligned experts on a proposed long-term financing model designed to minimise immediate pressure on the national treasury while ensuring the facility meets global standards. The model is expected to span up to 30 years, focusing on sustainability and diversified revenue streams.
Plans for the stadium include a retractable roof and a mixed-use design, allowing it to host international football and rugby matches, major concerts, and other large-scale events. The venue is envisioned not only as a sporting arena but also as a multi-purpose complex capable of attracting regional and global events.
Government representatives said the project is being positioned as a catalytic investment for Mount Hampden’s growth, with anticipated benefits ranging from job creation and youth opportunities to increased tourism and international visibility.
If implemented as planned, the stadium would become one of the flagship developments in Zimbabwe’s new capital precinct, reinforcing the country’s ambitions to modernise its infrastructure and strengthen its presence on the global sporting stage.
