Ruto joins prestigious list of Trade Fair openers

Bulawayo Bureau

PRESIDENT William Ruto of Kenya today adds his name to a distinguished roster of international leaders who have officially opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.

His presence at ZITF adds another chapter to its storied history. ZITF has long served as a vital platform for fostering economic ties, international relations, and cross-border collaboration.

The premier trade fair has a history of distinguished leaders who have graced its opening ceremonies since independence in 1980.

Notable figures from around the world have contributed to the significance of the annual event, which serves as a platform for promoting trade, investment, and international cooperation.

In 1980, ZITF was opened by Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, who would later become President of Zimbabwe.

In 1981, Mr Richards, the Commissioner of the European Economic Community in Brussels, had the honour of officiating the event.

In 1982, Dr Bernard Chidzero, the Minister of Economic Planning, presided over the ZITF opening.

President Canaan Banana graced the occasion in 1983, adding his name to the list of esteemed ZITF openers.

In 1984, Prime Minister Robert Mugabe returned to inaugurate the fair once again. In 1985, Prime Minister Mugabe made way for President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza of Burundi.

The year 1986 saw Shridath Surendranath Ramphal, the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, playing a significant role in the event.

In 1987, President Ketumile Masire of Botswana continued the tradition of international leaders opening ZITF.

In 1988, President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique joined the ranks of ZITF openers. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda marked his presence at the fair in 1989.

In 1990, President Robert Mugabe had the honour of opening the ZITF. The following year, in 1991, President Sam Nujoma of Namibia joined the illustrious list of ZITF openers. President Mugabe returned in 1992 and 1993, highlighting the fair’s importance on the global stage.

The mid-1990s saw a diverse range of leaders officially opening ZITF. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, King Mswati III, and President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique were among those who graced the occasions.

President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and President Robert Mugabe himself continued this tradition in subsequent years.

As the new millennium dawned, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, and Jean-Louis Ekra, President of Afreximbank, all contributed to the ZITF’s legacy. The early 2000s witnessed the participation of President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia, Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos of Angola, and President Sam Nujoma once again.

In 2020, due to the global pandemic, ZITF was not held. However, the tradition resumed in subsequent years. President Mnangagwa featured prominently in 2018 and 2021.

In 2023, King Mswati III of the Royal Kingdom of Eswatini added his name to the distinguished roster of ZITF openers.

LIST OF WORLD LEADERS WHO HAVE GRACED ZITF SINCE 1980

1980: Prime Minister Robert Mugabe

1981: Mr. Richards, Commissioner of the European Economic Community, Brussels

1982: Dr Bernard Chidzero, Minister of Economic Planning

1983: President Canaan Banana

1984: Prime Minister Robert Mugabe

1985: President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza of Burundi

1986: Shridath Surendranath Ramphal, Former Commonwealth Secretary-General

1987: President Ketumile Masire of Botswana

1988: President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique

1989: President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda

1990: President Robert Mugabe

1991: President Sam Nujoma of Namibia

1992: President Robert Mugabe

1993: President Robert Mugabe

1994: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia

1995: King Mswati III

1996: President Robert Mugabe

1997: President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya

1998: President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania

1999: Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini of Swaziland (now Eswatini)

2000: President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa

2001: President Festus Mogae of Botswana

2002: President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia

2003: Prime Minister Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos of Angola

2004: President Sam Nujoma of Namibia

2005: President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique

2006: President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania

2007: President Robert Mugabe

2008: President Robert Mugabe

2009: President Rupiah Banda of Zambia

2010: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran

2011: Jean-Louis Ekra, President of Afreximbank

2012: President Michael Sata of Zambia

2013: President Joyce Banda of Malawi

2014: President Robert Mugabe

2015: President Edgar Lungu of Zambia

2016: President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo

2017: President Hage Geingob of Namibia

2018: President Emmerson Mnangagwa

2019: President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda

2020: No ZITF due to Covid-19

2021: President Emmerson Mnangagwa

2022: President Emmerson Mnangagwa

2023: King Mswati III of Eswatini