Online Reporter
Business Writer
THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Matabeleland Chapter has announced that prominent businessman, Mr Tawanda Nyambirai, will be the guest of honour at the 2026 Matabeleland Annual Business Awards (MABAs), a flagship event that celebrates business excellence and innovation across the region.
Mr Nyambirai leads a diversified portfolio of businesses across key sectors, including financial services, mining, technology and agriculture, through entities such as TN CyberTech Bank, TN Asset Management, TN Gold’s Arcturus Mine and the TN Livestock Trust.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s awards ceremony, ZNCC Matabeleland regional manager Mr Mduduzi Ncube said Mr Nyambirai’s entrepreneurial journey and leadership track record make him an appropriate choice as guest of honour, particularly at a time when Zimbabwean businesses are being challenged to shift from resilience towards competitiveness.
“We are honoured to welcome Mr Tawanda Nyambirai as our guest of honour. His business footprint cuts across critical sectors of the economy and reflects the innovation, investment, and strategic leadership that Zimbabwe requires to achieve sustainable industrial growth,” said Mr Ncube.
“His story demonstrates that with vision, discipline, and an appetite for innovation, Zimbabwean enterprises can grow, diversify, and compete effectively. We believe delegates attending the awards will draw valuable lessons from his experience.”
Mr Ncube said this year’s awards are being held under the ZNCC 2026 theme, ‘From Resilience to Competitiveness: Charting a New Path for Sustainable Industrial Growth,’ which aims to encourage businesses to move beyond survival and focus on long-term growth and global competitiveness.
“Over the past few years, businesses have shown remarkable resilience in the face of economic challenges. However, resilience alone is no longer enough. The next chapter for Zimbabwean industry is about competitiveness, productivity, innovation, and growth,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the theme builds on the foundation set by the 2025 theme, which focused on unlocking business potential through policy reform, partnerships and improved productivity.
“We have made progress in strengthening dialogue between Government and the private sector, building strategic partnerships, and placing productivity at the centre of economic discussions.
“The challenge now is to translate those gains into globally competitive businesses capable of scaling, exporting, and creating sustainable employment,” he said.
He added that achieving sustainable industrial growth will require increased investment in key areas such as technology, skills development, infrastructure and value addition across industries.
“Competitiveness is not achieved by chance. It is built through deliberate investment, operational efficiency, innovation, strong governance and a supportive policy environment. Businesses must embrace technology and productivity improvements while policymakers continue efforts to lower the cost of doing business,” he said.
Mr Ncube said the Matabeleland Annual Business Awards remain a critical platform for recognising excellence, celebrating success and encouraging enterprises to strive for higher standards of performance.
He said the awards also provide an opportunity to inspire businesses, promote best practices and motivate enterprises across the Matabeleland region to pursue sustained growth and innovation.
“As a region, we have immense potential and these awards help spotlight the individuals and organisations that are driving economic transformation,” said Mr Ncube.
The Matabeleland Annual Business Awards will bring together leaders from various sectors, including industry, commerce, mining, agriculture, financial services, academia and the public sector, to recognise outstanding contributions to economic development and industrial growth.
Mr Ncube said the awards are aligned with ZNCC’s broader vision of building a competitive and sustainable economy that is capable of delivering long-term prosperity for future generations.
