Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
EXCEPTIONAL exhibitors at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) were formally honoured for setting high standards in product quality, innovation and service delivery at the country’s premier multi-sectoral trade showcase. The awards ceremony, held at the close of the official opening yesterday, was presided over by Botswana President Advocate Duma Boko, who presented trophies and shields to the winning exhibitors.
This year’s competition featured 17 categories, including awards presented under the auspices of the Bulawayo Agricultural Society.
Before the presentation of awards, ZITF marketing and corporate communications manager Mr Thandolwenkosi Nkomo said winners in the sectoral competitions were selected based on visual impression, originality, effective thematic representation, the availability of information and the quality of personnel manning the exhibition stands.
He said judges also placed significant emphasis on the relevance of each exhibit to the ZITF 2026 theme, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”.
In the Best Zimbabwe Financial Services Exhibit category, Old Mutual emerged as the overall winner, walking away with the ZITF Trophy and the ZITF Gold Medal, while BancABC secured second place and FBC finished third.
The World Food Programme claimed top honours in the Best Non-Profit Exhibit category, with United Nations Zimbabwe finishing second and the United Nations Development Programme taking third place.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) scooped first prize in the Best Security Services Exhibit category, ahead of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in second place, while the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services settled for third.
The Best Small to Medium Scale Enterprise Exhibit award was won by the Home of Zanu-PF, with Sol-A-Away in second position and Pipe Line Fashion rounding off the top three.
In the best Mining and Engineering exhibit, Advance Fire Engineers emerged the top winner while Hwange Colliery Company Ltd and Dinson Iron and Steel company were second and third respectively.
Forever Associates Zimbabwe claimed the Best Thematic Exhibit award, earning both the ZITF Trophy and the ZITF Gold Medal.
In the Best Zimbabwean Energy Exhibit category, sponsored by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), Geo Pomona Waste Management took first place, followed by the National Oil Infrastructure Company, while the Rural Electrification Agency finished third.
Blue Ribbon Foods won first prize in the Best Zimbabwean Agribusiness Exhibit category sponsored by Tongaat Hulett, with the Grain Marketing Board placing second and Dairibord Zimbabwe taking third position.
The Best Tourism and Travel Exhibit award, sponsored by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, was jointly awarded to Airports Company of Zimbabwe and Transvaal Corporation, ahead of Victoria Falls Safari Collection in second place and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in third.
Mapfura Marula Value Addition Factory won the Best Biotechnology Application and Commercialisation Exhibit category, sponsored by the National Biotechnology Authority.
Under the Best Zimbabwean Local Government Exhibit category sponsored by NetOne, the City of Bulawayo clinched first prize, followed by Gweru City Council, while Harare took third position.
The Best Rural Enterprise Exhibit award, sponsored by the National Competitiveness Commission, went to Kushinga Phikelela, with Valley Visions finishing second and the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency taking third place.
In the Best Zimbabwean Postal, Courier and Telecommunications Exhibit category sponsored by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), TelOne Private Limited emerged as the winner.
Botswana won the Chairman’s Award for the country with the highest number of individual corporate and private sector exhibitors, followed by South Africa, while Mozambique finished third.
The Industry and Commerce International Trade and Engagement Award was presented to ZimTrade, with the Botswana International Trade Centre securing second place and the Japan International Cooperation Agency finishing third.
The Supreme International Exhibit Award, sponsored by the People’s Own Savings Bank, was won by the European union Delegation to Zimbabwe.
At the Bulawayo Agricultural Society Awards, Wesley Jared claimed the Fatstock Capital Foods Floating Trophy Champion Slaughter accolade.
Muvengwa Andrew won the Poultry Capital Foods Floating Trophy for Indigenous Chicken Pair, while the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development took home the Commercial Stands Caltex Floating Trophy.
