Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S journey towards an innovation-driven economy continues to gain momentum, with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development leading efforts to commercialise locally developed innovations under the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model.
This educational transformation has redefined the role of State universities, which are now evolving into centres of economic productivity, addressing real-world challenges and contributing to community upliftment.
The impact of this shift was prominently displayed at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), where tertiary institutions showcased a variety of value-added products developed from locally available resources.
Mr Simbarashe Kachepa, the ministry’s communication and advocacy officer, said the approach begins with identifying resources, followed by engaging communities to collect raw materials which are then refined through research, production, and ultimately, commercialisation.
“First, we identify the resources, then collaborate with communities to gather them and bring them to our institutions.
“We carry out research on what can be produced, proceed to manufacture the products, and finally commercialise them.
“Over the past five years, we focused on innovation and product development. Last year, several of our innovations were approved, and this year, we are moving towards commercialisation,” he said.
The strategy has already led to the establishment of several rural-based industrial plants, such as a processing facility in Mwenezi that produces wine and essential oils from amarula, and a Jatropha-based biofuel plant in Mutoko.
These initiatives are not only promoting rural industrialisation but also creating employment opportunities.
“We are no longer initiating new projects, but are instead commercialising existing ones. Once our products appear in shops, that will be our measure of success,” Mr Kachepa said.
To reduce costs and maximise internal capacity, the ministry is also leveraging the technical skills of students. From architectural designs to food production for major national events such as the ZITF, students are actively involved in delivering practical solutions.
Mr Kachepa noted that tertiary institutions are now supplying bottled water, juices and prepared foods for national exhibitions, illustrating the direct contribution of the academic sector to the broader economy.
“The design and construction of our ZITF stands were carried out by students from a local tertiary institution.
“Products such as bottled water, food and juices for the trade fair were also sourced from these institutions,” he said.
In alignment with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the ministry has also undertaken a comprehensive remapping of Zimbabwe’s agricultural regions to develop innovative farming inputs tailored to each zone’s unique climate and conditions.
This year’s ZITF theme, “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape”, is in harmony with the ministry’s push to decentralise development by harnessing local talent and resources to foster inclusive industrial growth across both urban and rural settings.
The successful rollout of the Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model is positioning Zimbabwe’s education sector as a cornerstone of national economic development, demonstrating that when academia partners with communities, innovation can become a powerful, home-grown national asset.
—@SikhulekelaniM1
Bongani Ndlovu