South African real estate entrepreneur Brett Abrahamse’s Terrace Africa has partnered with global hospitality group Hilton to bring the Hilton Garden Inn brand to Zimbabwe for the first time with a 140-room hotel in Harare.

The agreement marks Hilton’s entry into Zimbabwe and expands its presence in Southern Africa as the US-based hotel group continues to grow its African portfolio. The Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands is expected to open in early 2029 within Terrace Africa’s Highlands Precinct mixed-use development.

Hilton Garden Inn to anchor Harare development

The hotel will form part of the Highlands Precinct, a mixed-use destination being developed by Terrace Africa, founded by Brett Abrahamse, that will combine offices, retail, restaurants, residences, hospitality and conferencing facilities.

The 140-room property will cater to both business and leisure travellers, offering an upscale, focused-service accommodation option alongside amenities including an all-day restaurant with a terrace, lobby café and bar, gym, swimming pool with terrace and meeting rooms.

The development is designed to create an integrated urban destination as Harare expands its commercial and residential footprint.

Zimbabwe strengthens Hilton’s African expansion

Hilton’s entry into Zimbabwe comes as the country’s tourism sector continues to recover and international travel demand increases. The company said Zimbabwe recorded more than 1.7 million international arrivals in 2025, while Harare remains an important commercial, diplomatic and regional gateway.

For Terrace Africa, the agreement represents a significant milestone for the Highlands Precinct as it seeks to attract international hospitality and commercial brands to the development.

Brett Abrahamse, Director of Terrace Africa, said the partnership supports the company’s ambition to create connected, high-quality mixed-use environments serving residents, businesses and visitors.

Carlos Khneisser, Hilton’s Chief Development Officer for the Middle East and Africa, said the company sees an opportunity to serve growing demand from business and leisure travellers by introducing Hilton Garden Inn to the market.

Hilton expands Southern Africa footprint

The Harare signing adds to Hilton’s growing presence across Africa. The hospitality group currently operates more than 70 hotels on the continent and has more than 100 additional properties in its development pipeline, with more than half of those projects located in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Hilton Garden Inn Harare Highlands is expected to open in early 2029, giving Hilton its first operating property in Zimbabwe and Terrace Africa an internationally recognised hospitality brand as it develops the Highlands Precinct into a major mixed-use destination in Harare.