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Zimbabwe pavilion captivates global audience at Expo 2025 Osaka
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Zimbabwe's participation at Expo 2025 Osaka is drawing global attention, with its vibrant and innovative pavilion standing out in the Commons B zone, a shared space that features 26 countries from Africa, South America, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The country's display is attracting large numbers of visitors and creating promising engagement opportunities that extend beyond cultural appreciation into trade, tourism, and investment.
Blending state-of-the-art digital technology with deep-rooted cultural heritage, Zimbabwe's pavilion has become a must-visit destination. The hybrid exhibition model incorporates immersive virtual reality experiences and large-screen visuals showcasing the country's iconic sites - including the majestic Victoria Falls, the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins, national parks, and the Eastern Highlands. These presentations are accompanied by displays of traditional music instruments like the mbira and African drums, offering visitors a sensory-rich exploration of Zimbabwe's natural beauty and cultural legacy.
Japanese and other international visitors have responded enthusiastically, often spending extended periods interacting with the exhibits, learning to play traditional instruments, and exploring the stories behind Zimbabwe's traditions. This strong cultural appeal has proven to be a gateway to deeper conversations about Zimbabwe's broader offerings in tourism and business, supporting the country's goals of international re-engagement and economic diplomacy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the expo, Mr. Danai Majaha, Head of Secretariat for the Zimbabwe Pavilion, emphasized the strategic significance of the event in reshaping Zimbabwe's global image. He said the pavilion has become a powerful platform to tell the country's authentic story of beauty, resilience, creativity, and opportunity. According to Majaha, the positive response from visitors indicates a growing global openness to reconnect with Zimbabwe and explore what it has to offer.
He also highlighted the dynamic nature of the pavilion's programming, noting that content is continuously refined based on the interests of visitors. This flexibility, he said, has helped to maintain high levels of engagement and positioned the pavilion as one of the standout attractions at Expo 2025.
Zimbabwe is set to celebrate its National Day at the Expo on July 16, 2025, under the theme "Beyond the Limits." President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate the event, which will showcase the country's cultural wealth, economic promise, and commitment to international cooperation. The celebrations will be preceded by the Zimbabwe Business Forum on July 15, where private sector players and state representatives will promote opportunities in mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Several local firms have already pledged support to bankroll the events.
The country's participation at the expo is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, expand trade, and attract foreign direct investment. Zimbabwe aims to increase annual tourist arrivals, grow exports, and register more investment deals as it leverages the expo's global platform to tell a new and positive national story.
Economic cooperation with Japan is also a key focus. In 2024, Japan's economy recorded a GDP of 609.4 trillion Yen (US$4.01 trillion) - the first time it crossed the 600 trillion Yen mark in a calendar year. Japanese exports to Zimbabwe were valued at US$62 million in the same year, including vehicles, consumer goods, and capital equipment. In return, Zimbabwe's exports to Japan consisted largely of tobacco, crude minerals, and cotton.
Zimbabwe hopes to deepen this relationship by learning from Japan's economic structure and expanding bilateral trade. As Expo 2025 continues until October 13, Zimbabwe's pavilion remains a symbol of the nation's renewed global engagement, offering the world a fresh perspective on its culture, innovation, and potential for partnership.
Blending state-of-the-art digital technology with deep-rooted cultural heritage, Zimbabwe's pavilion has become a must-visit destination. The hybrid exhibition model incorporates immersive virtual reality experiences and large-screen visuals showcasing the country's iconic sites - including the majestic Victoria Falls, the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins, national parks, and the Eastern Highlands. These presentations are accompanied by displays of traditional music instruments like the mbira and African drums, offering visitors a sensory-rich exploration of Zimbabwe's natural beauty and cultural legacy.
Japanese and other international visitors have responded enthusiastically, often spending extended periods interacting with the exhibits, learning to play traditional instruments, and exploring the stories behind Zimbabwe's traditions. This strong cultural appeal has proven to be a gateway to deeper conversations about Zimbabwe's broader offerings in tourism and business, supporting the country's goals of international re-engagement and economic diplomacy.
Speaking on the sidelines of the expo, Mr. Danai Majaha, Head of Secretariat for the Zimbabwe Pavilion, emphasized the strategic significance of the event in reshaping Zimbabwe's global image. He said the pavilion has become a powerful platform to tell the country's authentic story of beauty, resilience, creativity, and opportunity. According to Majaha, the positive response from visitors indicates a growing global openness to reconnect with Zimbabwe and explore what it has to offer.
He also highlighted the dynamic nature of the pavilion's programming, noting that content is continuously refined based on the interests of visitors. This flexibility, he said, has helped to maintain high levels of engagement and positioned the pavilion as one of the standout attractions at Expo 2025.
Zimbabwe is set to celebrate its National Day at the Expo on July 16, 2025, under the theme "Beyond the Limits." President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officiate the event, which will showcase the country's cultural wealth, economic promise, and commitment to international cooperation. The celebrations will be preceded by the Zimbabwe Business Forum on July 15, where private sector players and state representatives will promote opportunities in mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Several local firms have already pledged support to bankroll the events.
The country's participation at the expo is part of a broader strategy to boost tourism, expand trade, and attract foreign direct investment. Zimbabwe aims to increase annual tourist arrivals, grow exports, and register more investment deals as it leverages the expo's global platform to tell a new and positive national story.
Economic cooperation with Japan is also a key focus. In 2024, Japan's economy recorded a GDP of 609.4 trillion Yen (US$4.01 trillion) - the first time it crossed the 600 trillion Yen mark in a calendar year. Japanese exports to Zimbabwe were valued at US$62 million in the same year, including vehicles, consumer goods, and capital equipment. In return, Zimbabwe's exports to Japan consisted largely of tobacco, crude minerals, and cotton.
Zimbabwe hopes to deepen this relationship by learning from Japan's economic structure and expanding bilateral trade. As Expo 2025 continues until October 13, Zimbabwe's pavilion remains a symbol of the nation's renewed global engagement, offering the world a fresh perspective on its culture, innovation, and potential for partnership.
Source - zimpapers
