Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Beitbridge Business Expo has announced plans to develop new showgrounds for the 2026 edition, after being allocated 13 hectares of land by the municipality, along the main highway to Bulawayo.
Expo vice chairperson Mr. Nqobile Ncube, said civil works were already in full swing with the inaugural event at the new site expected to take place next year.
The initiative, which aims to position Beitbridge as an investment destination of choice, is usually held annually between June and July.
Mr. Ncube revealed that two new exhibitors, Discovery Ambulances and XinTai Resources, have already registered for the 2026 expo.
“The expo has strengthened ties with the Musina and Vhembe municipalities, promoting economic co-operation between the towns. Additionally, it aligns with the Government’s mantras of ‘Whole-of-Government’ and ‘Leaving No
One Behind’, ensuring inclusive participation from various sectors and communities,” said Mr Ncube.
“We are already busy on the ground. We’ve constructed a cottage for security personnel, drilled boreholes and we are working on paving, which is progressing well. We are grateful to our partners and all those who continue to support our efforts to drive economic development in our town.”
He said this year’s edition introduced new activities, including tug-of-war, snooker and raffles and implemented a robust adjudication process to uphold high standards.
To ensure the event’s success, Mr Ncube said they engaged civic leaders, residents’ associations and schools, resulting in 100 percent stand uptake and high walk-through traffic.
He added that the organisers were committed to transforming the Beitbridge Business Expo into a national benchmark for similar events.
“We have already registered two new exhibitors for 2026. This reflects our unwavering commitment to attracting participants from all sectors of the business community, including emerging operators in Beitbridge,” he said.
“We also acknowledge the presence of our municipality’s twinning partners from Musina and Vhembe. It gives us immense pride to serve as the platform where this twinning relationship is actively demonstrated. This is one of the key objectives that the Business Expo is championing.”
The Expo is designed to be a dynamic platform for local businesses to showcase their products and services, engage with potential investors and gain valuable insights from industry leaders.
It attracts a diverse mix of entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations from across the region, all eager to explore new opportunities and build meaningful connections.
Mr. Ncube emphasised that the Expo provides a unique opportunity for visibility and growth, particularly for emerging businesses.
This year’s event ran under the theme “Beitbridge 24 Seven”, a concept aimed at promoting a culture of quality, round-the-clock service delivery by local providers.
The theme also aligns with the town’s ongoing modernisation efforts and the 24-hour operations of the Beitbridge border post, a vital gateway for regional trade.
The organisers’ long-term vision is to ensure that travelers passing through Beitbridge have access to essential services. such as restaurants, fuel stations and other amenities at any hour of the day or night. This vision, Mr Ncube noted, is central to transforming the town into a modern, service-oriented hub. — @tupeyo
Londile Moyo