The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has emphasised the need for enhanced regional cooperation as it embarks on a series of roadshows leading up to the 65th edition of its flagship exhibition.
Scheduled to take place from April 21 to 26 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo, this year’s trade fair will be held under the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape.”
The 2025 event will also mark ZITF’s Blue Sapphire anniversary, celebrating its long-standing role in fostering business growth, innovation, and regional trade.
Regional Engagements to Boost Participation
As part of the lead-up to the exhibition, ZITF roadshows kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, on March 1 and will continue in Lusaka, Zambia, on March 5, before concluding in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 14.
These engagements aim to strengthen business ties across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) while generating excitement for the upcoming trade showcase.
During the Johannesburg engagement meeting, ZITF Company Board Chairman Mr. Busisa Moyo highlighted the vast potential for collaboration between South African businesses and Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe is open for business, and we invite South African and international investors to explore opportunities across the region.
Through partnerships, we can expand market access, leveraging reduced trade barriers within SADC,” he stated.
He further emphasised the importance of regional infrastructure development, particularly initiatives such as the North-South Corridor and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aim to enhance connectivity and trade efficiency.
Mr. Moyo also pointed to key areas for investment, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology, where expertise-sharing could drive industrial progress.
He encouraged businesses to explore Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Zimbabwe as strategic hubs for production and export.
Zimbabwe’s Economic Outlook and Investment Prospects
Highlighting the country’s economic trajectory, Mr. Moyo noted that Zimbabwe’s GDP is projected to grow by 6% in 2025, with key drivers being agriculture, mining, and remittances.
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As Chairman of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), he reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to positioning Zimbabwe as a prime destination for both local and foreign investment.
He outlined sector-specific opportunities for 2025, including:
- Manufacturing—The government is prioritising efforts to revitalise the sector, a core focus of ZITF 2025.
- SEZs—Investors can benefit from tax incentives and strategic industrial locations.
- Steel, engineering, textiles, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals—high-growth industries offering vast investment potential.
- ICT and digital economy—Driven by a young, tech-savvy population, Zimbabwe’s ICT sector is expanding rapidly.
- Agriculture—With extensive arable land and a strong agrarian tradition, investment in agribusiness is highly promising.
- Mining—Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations, with over 40 commercially viable minerals.
- Energy—The country is focusing on renewable energy, with opportunities in solar, hydroelectric, coal-bed methane gas, and energy storage solutions.
- Tourism—Home to iconic sites like Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe presents opportunities in ecotourism, cultural tourism, and hospitality infrastructure.
ZITF 2025: A Platform for Business Growth
The ongoing roadshows underscore the critical role of regional business integration within SADC, leveraging AfCFTA to help businesses expand beyond local markets.
These engagements also showcase the benefits of participating in ZITF as a catalyst for business networking, innovation, and trade.
So far, ZITF 2025 has secured 371 exhibitors occupying 44,502 square meters of exhibition space, with confirmed participants from 13 countries, including Canada, China, the European Union, Egypt, Japan, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, the UK, and the US.
Registration remains open, and interested businesses can secure their participation via the ZITF website: www.zitf.co.zw.
