ZIMREAL 2023 Bringing Property Professionals Together

The 5th annual ZIMREAL Property Investment Forum took place on September 27, 2023, at the Golden Conifer Functions Venue in Harare. With the theme "Thriving Across Uncertainties", the forum provided insights and opportunities for senior investors, developers and real estate professionals to connect and develop strategies to stimulate growth in Zimbabwe's property sector. 

PropertyBook was honoured to be part of the accredited media at ZIMREAL 2023. Our team was on-site to capture professional photography and learn from the high-level discussions.

The event was organized by API Events, which hosts Africa's leading real estate forums. WestProp was the lead sponsor this year, demonstrating their commitment to the Zimbabwean property industry. PropertyBook was also involved as one of the forum's media partners. 

Over 200 delegates attended ZIMREAL 2023. The speaker line-up featured top real estate executives and experts from across Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, and the continent. Key topics included the macro-economic environment, investment strategies, retail, construction, residential markets, hospitality, and infrastructure development.

The forum kicked off with opening remarks from Barry Manandi of Columbus DDB and Ken Sharpe, CEO of WestProp. Shaun Duthie of Control Risks then gave an insightful presentation on Zimbabwe and the global viewpoint. 

A highlight was the panel discussion on the macro-economic and post-elections landscape. Moderated by Mashilo Pitjeng of TseboReal, the panel featured Ken Sharpe of WestProp, Robert Mutakwa of ZB Bank, Stephen Kapfunde of Old Mutual, Chris Manyowa of First Mutual Properties, and Prof. Gift Mugano of Durban University of Technology. They explored strategies for the property sector to thrive amid uncertainties and assessed the dollarized economy.

Boniface Abudho of Knight Frank provided a look at real estate investment trends across Africa. Siza Masuku of Knight Frank Zimbabwe then gave an in-depth analysis of the local real estate market.

One of the most thought provoking presentations was from  Injecta Analytics by Tatenda Dawn Chiteka, spatial data analyst. The focus was on “Modern retail: Fueling the growth of mixed use precincts”. The presentation emphasised the significance of data-driven decision-making in the real estate development industry. By minimising risks and maximising opportunities, it's evident that implementing this approach is crucial for anyone striving to succeed in this field.

One of the most popular sessions was the panel on property investments - listed, unlisted, and REITs. Moderated by Gibson Mapfidza of Mashonaland Holdings, panellists compared different real estate investment vehicles and evaluated growth opportunities. 

Other session highlights included airport real estate, modern retail, construction materials, residential markets, and hospitality investment. 

The residential panel moderated by Simbarashe Mupfekeri of Pam Golding featured executives from WestProp, Stanbic, HA Construction, and Dawn Property Consultancy. They discussed strategies to meet demand and ensure sustainability in Zimbabwe's housing sector.

ZIMREAL 2023 offered ample time for networking during refreshment breaks and the closing cocktail function. Attendees made new connections and shared insights on moving Zimbabwe’s property industry forward.

In a challenging economic environment, forums like ZIMREAL are crucial for bringing together stakeholders to develop solutions. Propertybook was thrilled to participate and look forward to seeing the sector continue to evolve. The organizers confirmed the 6th Property Investment Forum will take place on September 26, 2024. 

With its focus on strategies for thriving across uncertainties, ZIMREAL 2023 provided stimulating discussions and ideas to inspire Zimbabwe's property professionals this year and beyond. The conference showcased the resilience and optimism of the industry.