ZITF to run for 6 days

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company has announced an extension of its 2025 trade showcase from five to six days, a move aimed at creating more opportunities for business interactions, networking, and public engagement. The annual event, held in Bulawayo, serves as Zimbabwe's premier trade exhibition and a key platform for showcasing the country's industrial and commercial potential on the global stage.

Scheduled to run from April 21 to 26, the 65th edition of the ZITF will be held under the theme "Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape." The new six-day format has been introduced on a trial basis for the 2025 edition, with feedback from participants expected to inform whether it becomes a permanent feature in subsequent years.

ZITF Company Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nicholas Ndebele, said the decision to extend the event followed extensive consultations and was endorsed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Dr. Ndebele explained that the updated format aims to balance business-focused activities and public engagement. The first three days, from Monday to Wednesday, will focus on business networking, while the remaining three days will allow members of the public to explore exhibits and participate in fun activities.

Interest in the upcoming edition has been strong, with 251 direct exhibitors already securing over 35,700 square meters of exhibition space. Additionally, the event has attracted participation from 10 countries, including Canada, Egypt, Japan, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Tanzania. This international appeal underscores ZITF's growing reputation as a critical platform for global business and industrial exchange.

The extension follows the success of the 2024 edition, which recorded 100% exhibition space occupancy with 624 direct exhibitors representing 26 countries, up from 565 exhibitors and 21 countries in 2023. The number of first-time exhibitors also rose significantly, with 136 newcomers participating in 2024 compared to 103 in the previous year. The overwhelming interest last year forced organizers to set up additional exhibition tents to accommodate the demand.

Dr. Ndebele highlighted the diverse range of industries and innovations expected to feature in the 2025 showcase. Exhibitors will include players in heavy and light manufacturing, agro-processing, mining, automotive engineering, renewable energy, and digital transformation. The event will showcase advancements in production technologies, value addition in agriculture, mineral beneficiation, and the integration of artificial intelligence and automation in industry.

In addition to showcasing products and innovations, the trade fair is designed to foster collaboration, investment partnerships, and regional trade integration. Dr. Ndebele emphasized the importance of the ZITF as a platform for shaping policies that drive industrialisation, economic resilience, and self-reliance in Zimbabwe and across the African continent.

The ZITF has long been regarded as a catalyst for economic growth and industrial progress in Zimbabwe. With its extended duration, the 2025 edition promises to build on this legacy by offering more opportunities for businesses and stakeholders to connect, share knowledge, and explore investment opportunities that will shape the future of industry in Zimbabwe and beyond.