Malawi Business Mogul "Nzeruzaabambo" Expands Rural Empire With $5M Theme Park
The park's impact extends beyond tourism, with his land compensation strategy creating unprecedented opportunities for rural farmers in the Dowa.
DOWA, Malawi — In a region where subsistence farming remains the norm, business magnate Napoleon Dzombe is adding a $5 million amusement park to his sprawling rural development empire, offering an innovative land compensation package that transforms small landholders into larger farm owners, writes Winston Mwale.
Known locally as Nzeruzaabambo, Dzombe has spent two decades building a network of social enterprises in central Malawi.
His latest venture promises 63 attractions while implementing an unconventional land acquisition strategy: sellers receive twice their original land size elsewhere, plus K10 million in cash compensation.
"I'm investing almost everything that I have," Dzombe said during a tour of the construction site, where workers pour 200-300 bags of cement daily.
"The cost of this project will exceed $5 million."
The park, to be called Dzombe Amusement Park, represents a significant expansion for Dzombe, who first gained prominence in 2001 by providing emergency food aid during a severe drought in Madisi.
Since then, his Mtalimanja Holdings has grown to encompass healthcare, agriculture, and education initiatives, including the School of Agriculture for Family Independence (SAFI) and Blessing Hospital.
"We continuously seek opportunities to uplift Malawians' lives," said Dzombe, who studied at Indiana University and has presented his rural development model internationally.
His enterprises include Mtalimanja Sugar Corporation, Malawi Dairy Industries, and several commercial estates.
The amusement park, adjacent to his Kalipano Hotel, aims to transform the Dowa district into a tourist destination.
"This place is away from town," Dzombe explained.
"If we have games and other things that can make people busy, then that would really help us to keep them for a longer period of time in our hotels."
Construction will continue for two to three years, though some attractions will open within four months.
The project, partially funded through National Bank of Malawi loans, joins Dzombe's integrated network of businesses.
His approach to rural development combines commercial success with social impact.
Recent projects include expanding dairy production facilities and modernising agricultural operations across the country.
"Social transformation requires both sustainable business practices and a commitment to community development," Dzombe said.
His enterprises employ hundreds of residents while providing essential services to rural communities.
The businessman's vision draws from global examples.
"When we talk about Dubai, it's a sand beach where there was nothing, but because those guys developed that area, then people have been attracted to go there," he said.
"So, whenever they go there, they spend money on accommodation, food, transportation, and besides that, they buy other local products in the area."
Tourism experts note that Malawi received approximately 870,000 international visitors in 2019, significantly fewer than neighbouring countries.
Dzombe sees infrastructure development as key to changing this dynamic.
"What we need is, how can we make Malawi as a nation attractive?" he said.
"The moment we offer good things, then people across the globe would say, 'Is this what is going on in Malawi?'"
His model of combining profitable enterprises with community development has attracted the attention of experts looking to replicate similar approaches across Africa.
The park's impact extends beyond tourism, with his land compensation strategy creating unprecedented opportunities for rural farmers in the Dowa.
While specific land prices remain undisclosed, agricultural experts note that Dzombe's double-land replacement policy represents a significant departure from traditional development approaches in Malawi.
"The economic empowerment of rural people remains our core mission," said Dzombe, whose journey from philanthropist to rural development mogul illustrates the potential for business-driven social change in rural Africa.
Tourism data underscores the potential impact of Dzombe's investment.
In 2022, Malawi saw international visitors surge 70.6% to 736,992, up from 431,999 in 2021.
These visitors spent K18.4 billion, with K14.4 billion coming from holiday travellers.
Business travellers dominated arrivals at 60.4%, while 23.4% visited friends or relatives, and 16.2% came for holidays.
Mozambique led source markets at 39.1% of visitors, followed by Zimbabwe at 22.3% and South Africa at 12.2%.
The southern lakeshore region currently leads accommodation demand with 39% room occupancy, while Thyolo/Phalombe/Mulanje lags at 15.3%.
Dzombe's investment in Dowa could help redistribute tourism benefits to central Malawi, traditionally overlooked by leisure travellers.
"The economic empowerment of rural people remains our core mission," said Dzombe, whose journey from philanthropist to rural development mogul illustrates the potential for business-driven social change in rural Africa.
As cement trucks rumble across the construction site and workers install the first of many attractions, Dzombe's vision for transforming both tourism and land ownership in Malawi takes shape, one acre—or rather, three acres—at a time.