Online Reporter
Business Reporter
THE inaugural two-day Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE) 2026, which kicks off in Harare tomorrow, is grounded in an evidence-based approach aimed at shaping effective national economic policy, a senior Government official has said.
The conference is being hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in partnership with local economic development think tank Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and national trade promotion and development body ZimTrade.
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday to highlight the conference’s alignment with national development goals, Ministry of Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba said that the manufacturing sector has registered notable expansion in recent years.
This growth, he noted, is demonstrated by fresh capital investments in factory expansions and a steady rise in export volumes.
“The ZICE conference is informed by an evidence-based approach to national policy,” Ambassador Chifamba said, emphasising that the timing of the event, to be held at the Harare International Conference Centre, is critical to maintaining and building upon recent gains in the industrial sector.
President Mnangagwa will officially launch the event, which will coincide with the presentation of the State of the Industry and 2027 Prospects report compiled by the AEDS.
According to the ministry, the primary objective of the conference is to leverage data and real-world industrial output to accelerate current growth momentum.
Over the past few years, Government interventions and private-sector re-tooling have contributed to increased capacity utilisation across key manufacturing sub-sectors.
By bringing together policymakers, industry captains and regional trade representatives, ZICE aims to address remaining operational bottlenecks while unlocking new domestic and export opportunities.
Ambassador Chifamba reiterated the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that supports local value addition, boosts export competitiveness, and attracts further industrial investment.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda led the press conference and outlined the conference’s objectives.
Zimbabwe’s industrial sector continues to battle several challenges, including persistent power outages, lack of “patient capital” (affordable long-term loans), dilapidated machinery and an influx of cheaper imported goods.
