Empowering Zimbabwe’s Economy, ZITF 2025 Vision

By Shingirai Vambe

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is set to play a pivotal role in driving the country’s economic growth and development. With the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economy,” the 65th edition of the trade fair will promote industrial resurgence, focusing on building a robust industrial base.

Minister Industry & Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu told the Post on Sunday that, the ZITF has several key objectives essential for Zimbabwe’s economic development. These include showcasing the country’s economic potential, promoting industrialization, and facilitating trade opportunities. The trade fair will also serve as a platform for discussions on strategies for value chain development, tooling and re-tooling the manufacturing sector, developing infrastructure, availing financial resources, and diversifying exports.

“The ZITF is expected to make significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development by stimulating trade and investment, attracting both local and foreign investments, and creating new job opportunities. The focus on industrialization and value-added production is expected to reduce unemployment and enhance living standards. Additionally, the trade fair will play a vital role in enhancing Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness and market access by promoting local products and services on an international stage”.

“To ensure the success of the trade fair, the ZITF Company has entered into strategic partnerships and sponsorships with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions. The company is also implementing a resilience planning strategy that emphasizes local and value-for-money procurement and targeted resource allocation,” added Ndlovu

The trade fair has experienced a notable rise in private sector participation, with 368 companies expected to participate, up from 298 last year. Virtually all sectors are well-represented, including manufacturing, FMCG, tourism, education, and services. The strong presence of the private sector reflects confidence in the platform’s ability to drive meaningful business outcomes and unlock new markets.

ZITF is just around the corner, scheduled to take place from April 21 to 26, 2025, in Bulawayo. This year’s event has garnered significant attention, with 28 countries confirming their participation, including 45 direct international exhibitors – a notable increase from last year’s 27 countries. Mozambique President Daniel Chapo will officially open the fair, adding to the prestige and importance of the event.

The Trade Fair is poised to play a pivotal role in driving the country’s economic growth and development. According to Busisa Moyo, the ZITF Chairman, the event will spotlight industry and manufacturing, highlighting the critical role of industrialization in advancing Zimbabwe’s economy.

Moyo emphasized that no country has advanced without undergoing industrialization or reindustrialization. As such, the ZITF will provide a platform for businesses to launch new concepts, products, and services, attracting media attention and potential investors. This will not only showcase Zimbabwe’s potential to the world but also allow businesses to connect with buyers and secure deals.

“The ZITF will also facilitate focused dialogue on policies and key relationships to enhance the business climate and drive economic progress in Zimbabwe. Moyo highlighted the importance of transforming Zimbabwe’s raw materials and mineral resources into value-added products to create jobs and reduce reliance on imports”.

“By promoting industrialization and manufacturing, the ZITF aims to drive economic growth, create jobs, and increase the country’s competitiveness in the global market. The event will also serve as a potent instrument for nation branding and profiling the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a vibrant and growing market for products and foreign direct investment,” said Moyo.

The ZITF Company is also encouraging local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the trade fair by providing subsidized exhibition spaces and access to mentorship via industry associations. International participation is also expected to be high, with 29 countries represented so far, up from 27 last year.

The trade fair is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, stimulating business, trade, and investment. Metrics such as the number of exhibitors, attendance figures, and business deals concluded during the event will be used to measure its impact.

However, despite the excitement surrounding the ZITF, many local companies are facing challenges in participating and other engagements due to budgetary constraints. This has made it difficult for some companies to stand as before, potentially impacting the overall representation of Zimbabwean businesses at the fair.

Notable, the ZITF Company has implemented initiatives to improve access and reduce congestion, including the opening of a satellite office in Harare. This move has significantly reduced congestion at the Bulawayo office and improved the experience for customers in Harare.

Stakeholder meetings have been held to share ideas and insights for a successful show. The company has received assurance from stakeholders in the hospitality industry, emergency services, and security services that they are ready for the show. The traditional exhibition space is 100% full, with the ZITF Company preparing extra space to accommodate the high demand. Currently, 596 exhibitors have taken up 51,204.62 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing a wide range of products and services.

The platform for knowledge sharing and networking, the event will feature a range of activities, including the Rural Industrialization Indaba, Zimbabwe-India Business Session, Innovators Forum and Hackathon, International Business Conference, Research for Industrialization and Economic Recovery Conference, Connect Africa Symposium, and Diplomats’ Forum. These events will provide opportunities for businesses, innovators, and policymakers to share ideas, explore partnership opportunities, and discuss key issues affecting the region.