Online Reporter
Business Reporter
President Mnangagwa will inaugurate the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo 2026, a landmark event scheduled to take place at the Harare International Conference Centre from July 23 to 24.
Themed “Accelerating Industrialisation Through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade,” the high-level event is a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and the country’s national trade promotion and development body, ZimTrade.
The conference comes at a time when Zimbabwe is experiencing increased economic stability, providing a predictable foundation for long-term industrial planning.
Organisers emphasise that ZICE 2026 is not a traditional conference, but rather an action-oriented platform designed to connect policymakers, investors, industrialists and innovators.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce on X, the conference will provide a premier platform to connect policymakers, investors, industrialists, innovators and development partners.
Prof Gift Mugano, the executive director of AEDS, confirmed that preparations for ZICE 2026 are progressing smoothly.
He highlighted that President Mnangagwa’s confirmed attendance as the guest of honour demonstrates a strong commitment and endorsement from the highest office towards driving Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and economic transformation.
Prof Mugano also noted that all scheduled speakers have officially confirmed their participation.
“It is also very important; hundreds of companies have signed up for the exhibitions and are attending the conference,” said Prof Mugano.
“You have your company like Dinson, you have your National Foods, your data technology companies, your platinum companies like Zimplas; they have registered, they have confirmed, they are coming. For us, it is quite exciting because it shows that there is quite a lot of good work from the private sector.”
Prof Mugano emphasised that ZICE 2026 will be heavily private-sector-led, recognising businesses as the primary drivers of industrialisation.
He noted that universities will also play a crucial role by showcasing how their innovation hubs can create direct linkages with the manufacturing sector, moving their “fantastic work” from research to commercialisation.
In terms of readiness, a dedicated task force — modelled after the team that coordinated the SADC Industrialisation Week in 2024 — is managing the various preparatory committees, all of which are currently on track.
“It’s not just a local extravaganza; there is a strong regional play,” Prof Mugano said.
High-level international speakers are confirmed, including Eunice Kamwendo, the Director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), alongside representatives from UN agencies like UNIDO, as well as delegates from SADC and COMESA.
Notably, participants from South Africa’s University of Venda will share insights on Special Economic Zones.
“Momentum is building rapidly ahead of the event,” said Prof Mugano.
“Hundreds of companies have already registered to exhibit, sponsor, or attend, with over a thousand corporate executives expected to convene at the conference.”
Dr Mugano said the primary objective is to move beyond dialogue to facilitate real investment deals, strengthen local value chains and accelerate the country’s broader industrial transformation.
The event will prioritise several key sectors essential to Zimbabwe’s economic diversification, including manufacturing, agro-processing, mining beneficiation, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and the digital economy.
By creating a hub for investment matchmaking and public-private partnership engagement, the expo aims to turn ideas into tangible economic outcomes.
Innovation will serve as a core pillar of the conference, with universities, research institutions and innovation hubs expected to showcase commercialisable research and technological solutions.
This academic-industry collaboration is intended to ensure that research outputs directly contribute to national industrial development.
Furthermore, ZICE 2026 is positioning Zimbabwe to capitalise on regional and continental frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), SADC and COMESA.
Discussions will also centre on how the country can better integrate into these markets, improve export competitiveness, and respond effectively to global economic trends.
The conference is open to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector leaders, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), financiers and development partners.
The expected outcomes include a robust pipeline of bankable projects, increased foreign and domestic investment commitments and the development of actionable policy recommendations to reform the business environment.
