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Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Writer
BULAWAYO is abuzz with activity as exhibitors set up stands for the twin industry showcases — the Mining Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) 2025 and the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference and Expo (AfriConfex) 2025.
The expos, running concurrently from Wednesday until Friday at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition and Conference Smart City (ZIECS), are expected to draw hundreds of exhibitors and delegates from across the globe, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s position as a regional hub for mining, infrastructure and industrial innovation.
President Mnangagwa is expected to officially open Mine Entra 2025 on Thursday while Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona will preside over the AfriConfex official opening on Wednesday.
According to organisers, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company, more than 240 direct exhibitors have confirmed participation, representing a strong mix of local and international players. Four countries — China, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom — will be represented through 14 direct exhibitors, underlining growing investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic sectors.
Exhibitors span a wide range of sectors, including heavy and light equipment suppliers, engineering firms, transport and logistics providers, research institutions, financial service providers, and other support services.
Yesterday, the exhibition grounds were a hive of activity as exhibitors fine-tuned their stands, bringing in furniture, digital displays and machinery ahead of the official opening.
ZITF Company marketing and corporate communications manager, Mr Thandolwenkosi Nkomo, said exhibitors were expected to complete setting up their stands by Wednesday morning.
“We have been working closely with exhibitors to help them set up stands since last week. The exhibition area is getting busier as we approach Wednesday, and we expect all stands to be ready for day one,” said Mr Nkomo.
Held under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” Mine Entra 2025 will focus on sustainability, technology and investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, a key driver of national economic growth.
AfriConfex 2025, themed “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution,” will bring together architects, engineers, urban planners, financiers and policymakers to deliberate on the future of infrastructure development, with an emphasis on climate-resilient and sustainable urban growth.
The AfriConfex anchor conference, to be held on Wednesday, will explore pathways to modernising Zimbabwe’s road, energy, water and public works infrastructure to support Vision 2030 — the
Government’s target for an upper-middle-income economy.
In a previous briefing, ZITF Company chief executive officer, Dr Nicholas Ndebele, said combining the two major events — initially scheduled separately — was a strategic move to create greater synergy.
“The decision to merge the two expos was driven by scheduling constraints, but it also allows us to align two highly complementary sectors — mining and infrastructure development,” said Dr Ndebele.
Both expos are expected to generate business leads, partnerships and technology transfers, while showcasing opportunities under the country’s industrialisation agenda and ongoing infrastructure transformation.
The convergence of mining and infrastructure stakeholders also comes at a time when Zimbabwe is expanding its mineral beneficiation drive and investing heavily in roads, energy and transport systems to support rapid industrial growth.
With the global spotlight turning to Bulawayo this week, the twin expos are poised to become a strategic platform for networking, investment and knowledge exchange, connecting Zimbabwe’s ambitions with Africa’s wider development vision.
Online Reporter