The
65th
edition
of
the
ZITF,
dubbed
the
“Blue
Sapphire”
edition,
will
run
under
the
theme ‘Industrialisation:
Crafting
an
Integrated
Economic
Landscape’,
underscoring
the
crucial
role
industrial
development
plays
in
driving
Zimbabwe’s
economic
growth.
With
exhibitors
already
on
site
preparing
their
displays,
this
year’s
event
is
shaping
up
to
be
a
blockbuster.
A
total
of
596
direct
exhibitors
have
confirmed
participation—completely
occupying
the
traditional
exhibition
space
and
spilling
into
newly
established
zones.
Overall,
51,204.62
square
metres
of
exhibition
space
has
been
taken
up,
with
112
first-time
exhibitors
among
the
participants.
Addressing
journalists
during
the
final
media
briefing
on
Wednesday,
ZITF
chairman
Busisa
Moyo
confirmed
that
45
direct
international
exhibitors
representing
28
countries
are
expected,
up
from
27
last
year.
“The
President
of
the
Republic
of
Mozambique,
Mr
Daniel
Chapo,
will
officially
open
ZITF
2025
on
Friday
25
April
in
a
ceremony
expected
to
be
attended
by
members
of
the
diplomatic
corps,
local
and
international
business
leaders,
and
the
wider
Zimbabwean
public,”
he
said.
Moyo
noted
that
in
recent
weeks,
the
ZITF
Company
had
intensified
its
preparations
through
a
series
of
stakeholder
engagements—including
with
hospitality
providers,
emergency
services,
and
security
agencies—all
of
whom
have
pledged
full
readiness
for
the
six-day
event.
He
also
revealed
that
an
entertainment
committee
has
been
convening
to
curate
a
vibrant
programme
for
visitors
throughout
the
fair,
alongside
popular
exhibitor
competitions
whose
judges
are
already
on
standby.
A
key
highlight
of
ZITF
2025
is
a
packed
programme
of
business
and
networking
events
designed
to
create
linkages,
foster
dialogue,
and
promote
innovation.
Activities
begin
on
Monday,
21
April,
with
a
Business-to-Business
(B2B)
Networking
Cocktail
hosted
by
the
Confederation
of
Zimbabwe
Industries
(CZI),
alongside
a
light-hearted
Quiz
and
Karaoke
Cocktail
organised
by
AMG.
On
Tuesday,
22
April,
focus
shifts
to
rural
economic
transformation,
with
the
Rural
Industrialisation
Indaba
taking
centre
stage.
Other
notable
events
include
a
Welcome
Cocktail—held
in
partnership
with
the
British
Embassy
and
strictly
by
invitation—Buyers’
Speed
Networking,
the
Zimbabwe-India
Business
Session,
and
the
launch
of
the
ZITF
2025
Innovators’
Forum
and
Hackathon.
Wednesday,
23
April
will
feature
the
flagship
ZITF
International
Business
Conference
and
a
continuation
of
the
Innovators
Forum
and
Hackathon.
Also
on
the
agenda
are
B2B
meetings,
the
Research
for
Industrialisation
and
Economic
Recovery
Conference,
and
an
evening
of
networking
at
the
Marketers
Association
of
Zimbabwe’s
Karaoke
and
Quiz
Night.
The
day
concludes
with
a
reception
hosted
by
the
Deputy
Minister
of
Industry
and
Commerce.
Events
on
Thursday,
24
April
include
the
CZI
OEM
Breakfast
Meeting,
the
Connect
Africa
Symposium,
the
ZITF
Diplomats’
Forum,
and
the
ZITF
Charity
Golf
Challenge
and
Cocktail.
The
day
also
features
the
Scholastica
Indaba,
which
targets
education
stakeholders.
The
highlight
of
Friday,
25
April
will
be
the
official
opening
ceremony,
officiated
by
President
Chapo
of
Mozambique.
The
Zimbabwe
National
Chamber
of
Commerce
(ZNCC)
and
ZITF
will
also
host
a
Business
Luncheon
attended
by
high-profile
delegates.
The
fair
concludes
on
Saturday,
26
April
with
a
public
entertainment
programme,
rounding
off
a
week
of
trade,
dialogue,
and
cultural
celebration.
This
year’s
edition
places
strong
emphasis
on
enhancing
visitor
and
exhibitor
convenience.
Measures
introduced
include
a
satellite
office
in
Harare,
which
has
helped
reduce
congestion
at
the
Bulawayo
headquarters.
“We’ve
received
encouraging
feedback
from
exhibitors,
thanks
to
the
commendable
work
by
our
Harare-based
team,”
said
Moyo.
ZITF
staff
have
also
undergone
training
to
manage
the
expected
high
traffic
volumes,
and
parking
facilities
have
been
expanded,
with
VIP
and
premium
zones
reserved
for
high-security
days
such
as
the
official
opening.
“Additional
parking
facilities
have
been
set
up
to
alleviate
pressure
on
main
parking
zones
and
provide
a
smoother
arrival
experience.
In
response
to
stakeholder
concerns,
premium
parking
has
been
designated
for
VIPs,
ensuring
ease
of
access
even
on
security-sensitive
days,”
Moyo
said.