Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Bulawayo City Council will leverage Africa’s premier manufacturing conference and exhibition, Manufacturing Indaba 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa, from July 14 to 15, to attract investment and promote industrial revitalisation.
Once Zimbabwe’s industrial heartbeat, Bulawayo has been working on various initiatives to position itself as the preferred destination for manufacturing and industrial projects in the country and the wider region.
The conference brings together government leaders, municipalities, investors, manufacturers, policymakers and development institutions from across Africa and beyond.
It is regarded as one of the continent’s leading platforms for advancing industrial growth, investment attraction, localisation and regional economic integration.
Bulawayo City Council officials believe participation in the high-profile gathering presents a unique opportunity to market the city’s vast investment opportunities, industrial infrastructure and economic development programmes to regional and international investors.
Presenting a report to the city’s General Purpose Committee, Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said plans to participate in the conference were aligned with the city’s economic development and investment promotion agenda.
“Attendance and participation at Manufacturing Indaba 2026 were aligned with the City’s economic development and investment promotion agenda and presented a strategic opportunity to position Bulawayo as a competitive investment destination within the region.
“The conference would provide a platform for the City to showcase investment opportunities within the industrial sector.
“As Zimbabwe’s traditional industrial hub, Bulawayo has continued to pursue industrial revitalisation and investment attraction initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth, employment creation and increased productivity,” said Mr Dube.
Bulawayo, once Zimbabwe’s industrial capital, has been pursuing strategies to revive its manufacturing base through infrastructure development, investor engagement and targeted economic reforms.
The city is also expected to use the event to aggressively market opportunities available within the Bulawayo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which the Government has identified as a critical vehicle for industrialisation and export-led growth.
