Mine Entra 2025 kick off in Bulawayo

Bulawayo is abuzz as exhibitors prepare for the concurrent Mining Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) 2025 and Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference and Expo (AfriConfex) 2025. The events, running from Wednesday to Friday at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition and Conference Smart City (ZIECS), are set to attract hundreds of local and international delegates, reinforcing Zimbabwe's role as a regional hub for mining, infrastructure, and industrial innovation.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officially open Mine Entra 2025 on Thursday, while Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona will preside over the AfriConfex opening on Wednesday.

Organisers from the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company confirmed that over 240 direct exhibitors have registered, including 14 from China, India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Exhibitors cover a range of sectors, including engineering firms, equipment suppliers, transport and logistics providers, research institutions, financial services, and other support industries.

"Exhibitors have been setting up since last week, and the exhibition area is getting busier as we approach Wednesday. All stands are expected to be ready for day one," said ZITF marketing and corporate communications manager Thandolwenkosi Nkomo.

Mine Entra 2025, under the theme "Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining," will highlight sustainability, technology, and investment opportunities in Zimbabwe's mining sector. AfriConfex 2025, themed "Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe's Infrastructure Evolution," will convene architects, engineers, urban planners, financiers, and policymakers to discuss climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure development.

The AfriConfex anchor conference on Wednesday will explore strategies for modernising roads, energy, water, and public works infrastructure to support Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 goal of achieving upper-middle-income status.

ZITF CEO Dr Nicholas Ndebele said merging the two expos was strategic, creating synergy between mining and infrastructure sectors while generating business leads, partnerships, and technology transfers.

With Zimbabwe expanding its mineral beneficiation drive and investing heavily in infrastructure, the twin expos provide a critical platform for networking, investment, and knowledge exchange, connecting national ambitions with Africa's broader development vision.