ZIMBABWE. DFP World, the Dubai-based travel retail and bonded logistics operator, has secured a multi-year concession at Harare International Airport (HRE), covering duty-free retail operations and bonded warehouse management.
The agreement, approved by Zimbabwean aviation authorities and supported by a non-objection letter dated 16 May 2025, grants the group the right to develop and operate a bonded retail ecosystem within the airport’s secure perimeter. This marks DFP World’s official entry into Zimbabwe’s regulated aviation retail sector.
Local execution under Afrique brand
Operations will be managed through Duty Free Stores Zimbabwe, a fully owned subsidiary of DFP World, held through its Namibian holding structure and operating under the Afrique identity. All licenses are granted or in final issuance phase under supervision of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance.
The concession includes allocation of a retail space within HRE’s international terminal and authorisation to trade under all relevant airport and fiscal authorities. It also comprises operational control of a bonded warehouse facility for secure inventory distribution. The store is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2025 following a full fit-out by DFP World’s internal design and construction team.
“This is a forward-operating retail deployment,” said DFP World CEO Matin A.M.S. “At Harare International Airport, we are not opening a store – we are establishing a strategic node. The mission is clear: full compliance, secured logistics and total operational integrity.
“Our infrastructure is built for precision, our supply chain for deep reach across Africa. This platform is engineered to scale, sustain and protect brand equity in high-complexity environments.”
Integrated development
The project will create at least 50 local jobs by the end of 2026, host 18 brand activations in the first year, and is expected to increase non-aeronautical revenue at HRE by 15 to 20%. Roughly 60% of shelf space will be allocated to beauty (perfumes, skincare, dermocosmetics), with the remainder dedicated to spirits, tobacco, travel essentials and curated gifting.
DFP World is among the few global operators that deliver full-cycle retail infrastructure in-house, from architectural drawings to compliance and commissioning.
Duty Free Stores Zimbabwe Vice Project Manager Aiana Kaichibekova noted, “This location reflects our retail governance model across Africa. We’re building retail aligned with national priorities and global brand expectations.”
DFP World Aviation Retail Expansion Aidai Usubakunova added, “We are going to deliver the same standards in Harare as in the Gulf, Singapore or Vietnam – markets where channel integrity is non-negotiable.”
All operations are supported by DFP World’s global R&D and category management team in Dubai. For press and brand enquiries, readers can drop an email to aiana@dfpworld.com and discover more at www.dfpworld.com. ✈
