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Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), a Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed hospitality company led by business executive Tendai Madziwanyika, plans to invest $1.6 million in upgrades at its flagship Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.
The company said about $1.4 million will go toward installing a one-megawatt solar power plant, refurbishing restaurants, upgrading the gym, and developing a wellness track. The balance will fund improvements to public areas and kitchens, part of an effort to create a more welcoming atmosphere and improve functionality.
Madziwanyika told shareholders at the company’s 26th annual general meeting that the solar project was key to RTG’s environmental, social, and governance goals. The plant, similar to one already in operation in Kadoma, is expected to cut energy costs by more than 40 percent.
“We spend about $50,000 per month on energy here at Rainbow Towers,” he said. “This investment will have an immediate impact on our bottom line.”
Enhancing guest facilities
Beyond energy efficiency, RTG is also investing in customer experience. The hotel will introduce a traditional food restaurant, extend its coffee shop into landscaped gardens, and remodel guest rooms with new ceilings, fittings, bathroom overhauls, and fresh furnishings.
“These initiatives are about more than just upgrades,” Madziwanyika said. “They’re about improving ambiance, dining, and wellness facilities to meet the evolving needs of our guests.” The project follows the group’s $5.2 million refurbishment of all 294 rooms at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and the Harare International Conference Center last month.
Growth and expansion plans
RTG operates hotels, resorts, and tour services across Zimbabwe through its Heritage Expeditions Africa arm. It also owns Gateway Stream, a “super app” offering services from accommodation and entertainment to retail.
RTG has been reporting steady growth. Under Madziwanyika’s leadership, the company recorded $20.82 million in revenue for the first half of 2025, up from $18.04 million a year earlier, and total assets of $74.84 million, up from $64.51 million in 2024.
Madziwanyika, who sits on RTG’s board, previously held senior roles in Zimbabwe’s fast-moving consumer goods and hospitality industries and served as president of the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism.
RTG invests $5.7 million in Cape Town hotel
The group is also preparing to enter the South African market, as it recently announced a $5.7 million (about R100 million) acquisition of a seven-story commercial property in Cape Town. The building will be converted into a branded hotel through a partnership with an international operator.
RTG, which also owns Heritage Expeditions Africa and the Gateway Stream digital platform, has committed to spending $26 million over five years on capital projects to strengthen its position in Zimbabwe’s tourism and hospitality sector while building a footprint in regional markets.
