Online Reporter
Daniel Chigunwe
Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026 has once again opened a strategic window for provinces to market their economic potential, with Mashonaland Central emerging as a standout exhibitor, aggressively positioning itself as a prime destination for investment and tourism.
Led by Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Christopher Magomo, the province’s delegation, comprising all 10 local authorities, has mounted an impressive showcase of innovation, industrial potential and cultural tourism assets.
Speaking on the sidelines of ZITF 2026, Minister Magomo underscored the significance of the global expo as a gateway to partnerships and capital inflows.
“The ZITF remains a vital platform for engaging both local and international investors. Mashonaland Central is fully represented here, with all our local authorities showcasing unique opportunities across sectors,” he said.
“From agriculture and mining to tourism and real estate, we are presenting practical, bankable projects. Our province is ready for business.”
He added that institutions of higher learning are playing a pivotal role in driving innovation-led growth.
“Bindura University of Science Education is actively enrolling students during the fair while also exhibiting products from its innovation hub,” he said.
“Madziva Teachers’ College is equally showcasing its educational innovations, reinforcing our human capital development thrust.”
Private sector participation has further enriched the province’s stand, with Africa’s Preserves drawing attention through its range of processed foods, including packaged baked beans — a testament to the province’s growing value-addition capacity.
Tourism has, however, taken centre stage in Mash Central’s exhibition narrative.
Mazowe Rural District Council chairman, John Mudzonga, highlighted the district’s transformation into a tourism and real estate hub, buoyed by infrastructure development and cultural investments.
“Mazowe is rapidly modernising, and we are witnessing increased interest in both real estate and tourism ventures. Our vision is to become the leading district in the province,” said Alderman Mudzonga.
“The recently unveiled Baradzanwa Cultural Centre is the jewel in our crown. It has injected new energy into our tourism offering, celebrating our heritage while attracting visitors and investors alike.”
The district also showcased its thriving citrus value chain, where vast orange plantations are now feeding into processing plants producing juices and related by-products for both local and export markets, a move aligned with Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation agenda.
Infrastructure development has further enhanced the province’s investment appeal, with the ongoing dualisation of the Harare-Mazowe Road significantly improving connectivity and unlocking economic corridors.
At the broader level, ZITF 2026, running under a renewed thrust to accelerate industrialisation and regional trade, has attracted a diverse mix of exhibitors, international delegations and investors, reaffirming its status as Zimbabwe’s premier trade showcase.
The fair continues to emphasise innovation, value addition and sustainable development as key drivers of economic transformation.
For Mashonaland Central, the message is clear: beyond its rich mineral and agricultural endowments lies a rapidly evolving tourism landscape anchored on culture, infrastructure and enterprise.
“Mash Central is not just a province of resources, it is a province of opportunities. We are inviting the world to partner with us in unlocking its full tourism and investment potential.”
