African Sun Limited, often referred to as the Company, African Sun, or the Group, stands as a prominent Hotel Asset Management Company based in Zimbabwe. Established in 1968, the company has a rich heritage in the hospitality and leisure industry.
Victoria Falls, a key tourist destination for African Sun Limited's hotels.
Operating in the hospitality and tourism industry, African Sun Limited is a well-established brand in Zimbabwe’s leisure and business accommodation sectors. The core business of African Sun Limited encompasses the ownership, leasing, and management of premier hospitality assets including nine hotels and resorts.
At present, the Group manages nine hotels strategically located throughout Zimbabwe. Additionally, we have a Real Estate arm that complements our core business. Of the nine, the Company owns five properties (Holiday Inn Mutare, Troutbeck Resort, Elephant Hills Resort, Hwange Safari Lodge and Caribbea Bay Resort).
Hotel Portfolio and Brands
Our portfolio comprises three hotels located in major cities of Zimbabwe, which are affiliated with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG): Holiday Inn Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare. Furthermore, we operate five hotels in tourist destinations, including two prominent properties in the tourism hub of Victoria Falls: Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre, and The Victoria Falls Hotel, which is jointly managed with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited.
Read also: Consumer Goods Market in Ghana
Our home-grown brands consist of Troutbeck Resort, nestled in the scenic Eastern Highlands Mountains of Nyanga, and Caribbea Bay Resort, situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Kariba.
- City and Country Hotels: Catering to business and leisure travelers.
- Resort Hotels: Located in prime tourist destinations.
- The Victoria Falls Hotel Partnership: A collaboration with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited.
African Sun has streamlined its operations to focus on high-performance properties in prime locations. The company divested from non-core assets such as the Great Zimbabwe Hotel and Sun Leisure Tours in 2024/2025.
With a significant footprint in Zimbabwe’s hospitality landscape, African Sun is considered a market leader. It maintains long-standing franchise agreements with the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), operating Holiday Inn brands in Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare.
Our fine mix of select hotels including internationally recognized brands some of which have achieved world status amongst the “Top 100 Hotels in the World” makes leisure, business, conferencing and incentives our specialty. The Group has hotels in every major tourist resort and in four out of the five major cities in the country, bringing that long-awaited tour of Zimbabwe on your doorstep.
Our premier brand, The Victoria Falls Hotel, offers world-class hospitality with signature touches that define luxury travel. Consistent with global benchmarks, the Holiday Inn hotels cater for the needs of global travellers with an international touch for both business and leisure. IHG’s goal is to create great hotels that guests love, and in Zimbabwe, both foreign and local African Sun Limited guests get to enjoy that experience.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Our homegrown brands, the African Sun stand-alone brands, are targeted at middle-range business and leisure travellers seeking warm and comfortable hotels.
Inside the Victoria Falls Hotel – Zimbabwe’s Grand Colonial Retreat
Real Estate Division
Our Real Estate division focuses on the maintenance, renovation, and construction activities pertaining to our hotel infrastructure. The Group has strategically streamlined its operations to ensure future sustainability.
Financial Performance
According to the 2024 Integrated Annual Report, African Sun recorded a 15% increase in revenue from the previous year, reaching USD 53.98 million.
Key Financial Highlights (2024):
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue | USD 53.98 million |
| Increase in Revenue | 15% |
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability is integral to African Sun’s strategic vision. The company has embedded Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles across its operations. Key initiatives include the elimination of single-use plastics, ongoing energy efficiency upgrades, and targeted community upliftment programmes.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
In 2024, the Group intensified its sustainability efforts and aligned its disclosures with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, as per VFEX guidelines.
Leadership and Governance
African Sun Limited is guided by a team of experienced executives and a dedicated board of directors.
- L. Ward: Chief Executive Officer
- L. Mhishi: Chairman
- L. Risk and Audit Committee: A. Chikomo (Chair), B. Childs, A. Siyavora, V. Lapham
- Investments Committee: B. Childs (Chair), G. Chikomo, V. Lapham, S. Village
- Nominations Committee: L. Mhishi, A. Siyavora, G. Chikomo
- Human Resources and Remuneration Committee: A. Siyavora (Chair), L. Mhishi, T. Denga, S. Village
- Marketing and Sales Committee: T. Denga (Chair), B. Childs, S. Village, A. Siyavora
- Information Technology Governance Committee: V. Lapham (Chair), T. Denga, A. Siyavora
- Company Secretary: V.T.
Key Personnel
Executive Directors:
- Laurie Ward - Chief Executive Officer
Non-executive Directors:
- L. Mhishi
- G. Chikomo
- B. Childs
- V.W. Lapham
- T.M. Ngwenya
- S. Village
- A.E. Siyavora
Brief Bios:
- Laurie Ward: Appointed as Chief Executive Officer in July 2024, with over 25 years of executive management experience in hospitality and project management.
- Lewis: Appointed as Chief Finance Officer on 1 October 2023, with over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
- Lloyd Mhishi: Appointed to the African Sun Board on 1 May 2021 and subsequently Lead Independent Director on 30 June 2023 and Chairman on 8 July 2024.
- Brett Childs: Appointed to the African Sun Board on the 16th of March 2017. A Chartered Accountant originally from Zimbabwe.
- Mr. Lapham: Appointed to the African Sun Board on 8 November 2021. He is a registered Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe.
- Gina Chikomo: Appointed to the African Sun Board on the 30th of August 2018. She is an Accountant by training with a wealth of experience in prudent financial management.
- Alex Siyavora: Appointed to the African Sun Board on 8 November 2021. Á Chartered Accountant by profession.
- Thandi Ngwenya: Has over 25 years of corporate experience spearheading Marketing and Business Development initiatives across Africa.
- Simon Village: Was appointed to the Board of African Sun on 22 March 2024. With a career spanning over 35 years.
Mission
Our mission is to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences that exceed guest expectations while creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
