Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
OVER 1 000 delegates and 200 exhibitors are expected to gather at the Harare International Conference Centre today for the inaugural Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE) 2026.
The two-day event is being hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in strategic partnership with leading economic think-tank Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and national trade promotion body ZimTrade.
Running under the theme “Accelerating Industrialisation Through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade,” ZICE 2026 brings together Government officials, private sector executives, international financiers, and development partners to advance Vision 2030 goals.
Addressing journalists at the ZICE 2026 Media Awareness Day at HICC yesterday ahead of today’s event, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the conference represents a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s economic transformation journey as the country accelerates implementation of Vision 2030.
“The conference seeks to accelerate the implementation of Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP 2), by unlocking investment, promoting value addition and beneficiation, strengthening regional value chains, advancing innovation, and expanding Zimbabwe’s export competitiveness,” he said.
He also revealed that one of the key highlights of the conference, which will be officially opened by President Mnangagwa today, will be the official launch of the State of Industry and 2027 Prospects Report.
Dr Soda said the report, compiled by AEDS, is based on research with 2 300 stakeholders, including 2 071 firms and 229 representatives from Government, academia and industry associations.
It covers nine thematic areas to guide implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 2 (ZNIDP 2).
Participating institutions include the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) and the World Bank.
Minister Soda also challenged media practitioners to position themselves as strategic partners in Zimbabwe’s industrial transformation agenda ahead.
“As communicators, you are not merely observers of development; you are partners in this development,” Dr Soda said. “Through factual, balanced, and analytical reporting, you help citizens understand Government programmes and projects, assist investors to identify opportunities and showcase Zimbabwe’s industrial potential to regional and international markets.”
He urged media houses to actively champion the Made in Zimbabwe campaign under the Local Content Strategy (2026–2035) and to highlight export and regional value chain opportunities under the AfCFTA.
“So, as we commence ZICE 2026, I encourage our media practitioners to go beyond reporting proceedings. Let your coverage unpack the substance behind the discussions. Explain how value addition creates jobs and demonstrate how beneficiation increases national wealth. Showcase how industrial innovation improves productivity and competitiveness.”
On his part, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba said the conference is informed by an evidence-based approach to national policy.
“Let us be clear that NDS2 is supposed to take us towards the realisation of Vision 2030. If this is the relay race from NDS1 to NDS2, then we are approaching the finishing line. We, therefore, need to accelerate in several areas.
“We are saying that over the next five years, because we are pursuing a target called Vision 2030, we want to see industrialisation playing its part towards realisation of that vision.”
