DSE News Network
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) rolled out its regional roadshow in Johannesburg in style this week – promising exhibitors that Zimbabwe is open for business, with boundless opportunities awaiting traders, industrialists, entrepreneurs and global investors.
The roadshow, aimed at showcasing the ZITF’s prestigious annual trade fair in Zimbabwe’s second city Bulawayo – was led by ZITF Chief Executive Officer Dr Nicholas Ndebele who said that the annual five-day exhibition – is undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s biggest window to doing business in the country.
“What many people do not realise is that Zimbabwe is taking off in a big way, and the opportunities are abundant in all sectors. Everyone can see the growth that is taking place – the Asians have noted the opportunities, the Europeans are showing greater interest and even the Americans are knocking on the doors.
“Sometimes it is us on the continent who are slow to respond. But we are saying to everyone here in South Africa – Zimbabwe is right here on the border with South Africa and Bulawayo is not far from here. Come and experience what the country has got. Come and make money.
“There are big opportunities in infrastructure development in Zimbabwe – in mining, in technologies, in agriculture, manufacturing, financial and services industries. Also tourism, electronics, and so we are here to say: come and experience the culture and come and do business,” Dr Ndebele said.
ZITF announced a strategic 10% discount incentive on all first time exhibitors coming this year, and throughout the presentation, the ZITF executives Doreen Dzamatira, Edson Nyambo and Thandolwenkosi Nkomo emphasised the readiness to offer all support services to exhibitors – including bookings, logistics and planning for this year’s edition.
ZITF also hosts the Mine Entra as well as AfricConfex and Scholastica, amongst its flagship exhibitions.
Zimbabwe’s new ambassador to South Africa Lovemore Mazemo said that the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair operates on the National Development Strategy (NDS2) 2026-2030, which prioritises trade and investment facilitation as key drivers of economic growth and structural transformation.
“It is Government’s view that cross border business engagements will enhance export performance and integrate Zimbabwe more effectively into bilateral, regional, continental and global value chains.
“Thus the role that business plays in this regard, is a key part that is cherished by the Government. On its part, Government continues to simplify trade processes, reduce the cost of doing business and to modernise border management systems.
“As the Embassy and the Consulates in Johannesburg and Cape Town, we stand ready and open to act as economic frontlines facilitating businesses in South Africa to explore the Zimbabwean market,” Ambassador Mazemo said.
Farai Madziwanyika, the President of the ZimSA Business Chamber said he was excited that ZITF had chosen to partner with Zim SA Business Chamber in the SA leg of the roadshow.
“Our main mandate as a chamber is to promote Zimbabwe as a viable investment destination as well as help investors navigate their way through to the relevant authorities in Zimbabwe to make their enquiries and investments.
“Similarly, we also assist Zimbabwean businesses who seek markets or facilitation with enquiries in South Africa. We are therefore very excited that we have partnered with the ZITF Company as we share a similar mandate. Their shear size creates a global platform for Zimbabwe and many other exhibiting businesses from the over 40 countries represented every year,” Madziwanyika said.
The ZITF roadshow at Hotel Sky In Sandton was attended by exhibitors and officials from South Africa’s DIRCO, Trade and Investment, the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC), affiliates from the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), the Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce and Industry, COTECNA, Lebherr Africa Pty Ltd, Iveco South Africa, Embassy of Hungary, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), Eagles Eye Business Chamber, and Minara Chamber Of Commerce.
Other exhibitors included officials from Globaltrack, Daikin Air Conditioning, Cargo Services, BeautienTreats, BAG, Avroy Shlain and others.
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair will run from 20 to 25 April in Bulawayo.
The ZITF attracted over 8000 business visitors in 2025 and tens of thousands more in daily visitors.
