Judith Phiri [email protected]
BULAWAYO has been challenged to ramp up localised research and develop import-substitution initiatives to revive its manufacturing sector and strengthen domestic production.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Judith Ncube said the city had to harness research, innovation and collaboration between industry and academia to drive industrialisation and value addition.
She made the remarks in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Director Mr Faison Antonio at the combined Bulawayo Economic Development Conference (BEDCON) and City of Bulawayo Research and Innovation Seminar (COBRIS) 2026.
The three-day event is being held under the theme: “The implementation imperative: Delivering sustainable prosperity through collaborative industry.”
Minister Ncube said Bulawayo had a critical role to play in strengthening provincial economies while contributing to national economic growth.
“Through the principle of devolution, the President has made it clear that no place and no person should be left behind. Through devolution, local communities have been challenged to spearhead their developmental agendas.
“By converging, we are implementing government policies where locals have been empowered to shape the development trajectory of their communities,” she said.
“Our hope is that we can advance localised research, come up with import substitution initiatives and contribute to industrial value addition right here in Bulawayo. We must find ways of strengthening provincial economies while contributing directly to our national macroeconomic growth.”
She said the Second Republic had made progress in addressing the mismatch between industry requirements and academic training.
Minister Ncube said universities and colleges were increasingly working with industry to ensure graduates were equipped with relevant skills.
“This is because industry and academia are now working closely together, as we witness today through the city working collaboratively with industry and academia to solve governance challenges in Bulawayo,” she said.
She said research, science, technology and innovation were central to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation agenda under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“We are reminded that research, science, technology, and innovation stand as the primary catalysts for structural economic transformation. Under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), research and innovation are no longer treated as isolated academic exercises.”
Minister Ncube said the areas were critical to unlocking local resources, modernising industries, improving competitiveness and creating sustainable, high-value jobs.
She called for greater focus on technology and innovation, human capital development, devolution and decentralisation, as well as inclusive economic growth and structural transformation.
Meanwhile, in a speech read on his behalf by Councillor Aleck Ndlovu, Bulawayo Mayor Senator David Coltart said the city was pursuing its vision of becoming a smart and sustainable city.
“As we host this conference, we build on the foundation we laid last year when we hosted both the BEDCON and COBRIS conferences as we buttress our thrust of being a knowledge-based economy.
“For Bulawayo to develop, we need to be informed by data and statistics and this conference becomes that window where we interrogate our limitations and also come up with solutions to drive Bulawayo’s economy,” he said.
Senator Coltart said Bulawayo had a proud history as a manufacturing, cultural and intellectual centre, but warned that the city could not rely on its past achievements.
“That is why we are investing in research as a city. We have collaborated with our local tertiary institutions for this conference as we understand the power of collaboration in a knowledge-driven society.”
City of Bulawayo Economic Development Officer Mr Kholisani Moyo said the conference was aimed at strengthening the link between research, policy and enterprise.
“BEDCON-COBRIS 2026 has brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators and practitioners to discuss actionable strategies, share insights and forge collaborative partnerships with the aim of positioning Bulawayo as a hub where policy, research and enterprise converge,” he said.
Mr Moyo said there was a need to turn academic research into commercially viable products and services while creating an environment in which small and medium enterprises could drive industrialisation and employment creation.
