According to the deal, Sambiri Resort was issued with 43 million Dawn shares in exchange for the 38-room property. The acquisition brings to more than 10 the number of hotel properties owned by Dawn and under the management of African Sun. Sambiri Resort is earmarked for a major expansion and refurbishment exercise into a 200 room facility with, conference rooms, a casino and an 18-hole golf course.
Dawn has pledged to generate foreign currency from the during the 2010 soccer world cup being held in neighbouring South Africa in June this year. Group chairman Farayi Rwodzi recently said Dawn had identified hotel sites with planning already at an advanced stage while more sites would be identified during the course of the year.