Over 10 000 business visitors register for ZITF as expo nears full capacity

Theseus Shambare

MORE than 10 000 business visitors have registered for the 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF 2026), with exhibition space now almost fully taken up as momentum builds towards the country’s premier trade and investment showcase next week.

Organisers say this year’s fair has already reached 97 percent capacity, with 49 810 square metres of exhibition space already occupied, underlining strong local and international interest in the annual event.

Running from April 20 to 25 in Bulawayo under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”, ZITF 2026 is expected to draw high-level business leaders, investors, diplomats and policymakers from across the region and beyond.

The official opening will be presided over by Botswana President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, a development expected to strengthen regional economic cooperation and deepen commercial ties between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

ZITF chairman Dr Busisa Moyo said preparations were now at an advanced stage, with exhibitor uptake and delegate registrations reflecting growing confidence in the annual showcase.

“We are pleased to advise that preparations for ZITF 2026 are progressing well and we are now at 97 percent space uptake.

“This translates to 49 810 square metres of occupied exhibition space, which is a strong indicator of sustained confidence in the platform by exhibitors and stakeholders,” said Dr Moyo.

The sharp increase, he said, demonstrated growing interest from companies seeking partnerships, markets and investment opportunities.

“We have also recorded significant growth in business visitor registrations, which currently stand at 10 472 compared to 8 142 registered during the same period last year,” he said.

“This confirms increasing appetite for engagement through Zimbabwe’s premier business exhibition.”

A total of 485 direct exhibitors have confirmed participation, including 100 leaseholders, while 46 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions are expected to take part.

Participating countries include the European Union, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, China and several African and European nations.

Dr Moyo said the broad international footprint showed the fair’s continued relevance as a regional and global trade platform.

“We are encouraged by the diversity of international participation this year, with exhibitors confirming attendance from 29 countries and regions.

“This reinforces ZITF’s position as a gateway for trade, investment and industrial collaboration,” he said.

The private sector continues to dominate participation, accounting for 58 percent of exhibitors, while Government institutions make up the remaining 42 percent.

This year’s edition comes at a time Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to accelerate industrialisation, boost exports and attract fresh capital into key productive sectors.

The fair’s packed business programme is expected to deepen those objectives through a series of high-level engagements.

Among headline events is the International Business Conference on April 22, where Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is expected as Guest of Honour.

The conference is projected to attract about 800 delegates.

A Diplomats Forum, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is expected to draw representatives from 54 embassies and around 300 delegates.

The Rural Industrialisation Conference on April 20 will focus on transitioning communities into productive economic participants and equity holders, while the Youth in Business Festival on April 21 will spotlight emerging entrepreneurs.

Organisers have also introduced an Investors Lounge, to be managed by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), to facilitate business-to-business matchmaking and investor engagement during the fair.

Dr Moyo said the additional platforms were meant to ensure delegates derive measurable value from attending the exhibition.

“Our focus this year is not only on exhibition, but on meaningful connections that translate into business growth, investment flows and competitive industries,” he said.

To improve visitor experience, ZITF has also rolled out the XPO263 mobile application, which allows users to register, network and locate exhibitors.

Shuttle services will operate between major hotels and the exhibition centre, while dedicated parking facilities have been designated around the city.