Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
PREPARATIONS for the 5th edition of the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference 2026 are underway, with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion calling for abstracts from a wide range of stakeholders.
The conference, which has grown into a flagship platform for aligning academic research with national policy formulation, will be held from September 7 to 10 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) in Bulawayo.
This year’s edition will run under the theme, “Smart Infrastructure for an Upper Middle-Income Society”, reflecting the Government’s thrust to accelerate infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is organising the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) 2026.
“Conference aims to explore strategies that harness innovation, technology and homegrown solutions to achieve inclusive growth.
“Ministry said the objective of ZEDCON 2026 is to bring together researchers, academics, development partners, corporates, economic think tanks, and representative organisations to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices on strategies that harness innovation, technology and homegrown solutions to achieve inclusive growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
It has invited researchers, academics, development partners, corporates, economic think tanks and representative organisations to submit abstracts, underscoring the inclusive nature of the conference.
ZEDCON has evolved into a critical interface between policy-makers and knowledge producers. It provides evidence-based recommendations that feed into national development strategies and economic blueprints.
The platform is also expected to generate practical solutions to support Zimbabwe’s aspiration to attain upper middle-income status by 2030, with a strong emphasis on innovation-driven growth and resilient infrastructure systems.
This year’s edition will focus on six key pillars, namely Sustainable Energy and Power Generation; Urban Infrastructure and Smart Cities for an Enabling Business Environment; Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Internet Infrastructure and Connectivity for Inclusive Economic Growth; Rail Infrastructure as an Engine for an Upper Middle-Income Economy; Homegrown Fintech and Financial Inclusion and Global Opportunities to Support Smart Infrastructure.
On Sustainable Energy and Power Generation, focus areas will include renewable energy adoption, waste-to-energy initiatives, energy from minerals, energy efficiency and regional energy trade.
The ministry said under Urban Infrastructure and Smart Cities for an Enabling Business Environment, discussions will centre on transport modernisation, smart city technologies, urban infrastructure development and public-private partnerships.
The ICT pillar will examine internet infrastructure and connectivity as critical enablers of inclusive economic growth, while the rail infrastructure component will explore how revitalised rail systems can drive industrialisation and economic expansion.
Homegrown fintech solutions and financial inclusion will also take centre stage, reflecting the growing importance of digital financial services in broadening access to economic opportunities.
