Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE City of Bulawayo participated in this year’s 115th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show (ZAS), using the premier trade showcase to position itself as a bridge linking investors with communities while highlighting vast opportunities anchored on the adopted Master Plan.
The agricultural showcase ran from 25 to 30 August 2025 in Harare, and was officially opened on Friday by South African, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Bulawayo, which has intensified efforts to market itself as an attractive investment destination, took advantage of the ZAS platform to present opportunities in agriculture and related value chains.
According to the local authority’s Masiyephambili newsletter, Council’s Corporate Communications Officer, Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya said Bulawayo’s presence at ZAS was a strategic extension of the Khumbul’ ekhaya Investment Conference initiative. “At the Khumbul’ ekhaya Investment Conference, the City was marketing its investment opportunities and we thought it was necessary for us to ride on that success. The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show provided an opportunity for us to come and showcase opportunities that are available in the agricultural sector, particularly looking at this year’s ZAS theme,” she said.
Miss Ngwenya added that Council is positioning itself as the enabler of investment growth through policy frameworks that foster confidence among investors.
“We are highlighting policy development because for any investor to come through, they want to know your policies.
For a Local Authority such as Bulawayo, agricultural investment policies are mostly based on the City’s Master Plan (2019-2034), which was adopted and gazetted last year by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. The Master Plan calls for the City to be self-sustaining in terms of agricultural production and agricultural investment,” she explained.
Through the Master Plan, Council is promoting a broad spectrum of investment opportunities, particularly in agro-processing and value addition, which benefit Bulawayo and its surrounding communities.
By leveraging ZAS, Bulawayo reinforced its role as a bridge connecting investors, industries, and communities in line with national development goals.
The City is fresh from hosting the Khumbul’ekhaya Investment Conference (KIC) in Harare, a diaspora-focused initiative designed to encourage investment back into the City.
In line with the ZAS theme: “Building Bridges; Connecting Agriculture Industries and Community”, the City exhibited under the sub-theme: “Bulawayo, City of Kings – Connecting Agriculture, the Industry and the Community.”
Sidumisile Mabena