Online Reporter
Judith Phiri,Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company estimates that from this year’s flagship premier trade showcase, between US$296 million to US$379 million worth of business leads were generated.
This was revealed in a report on Business Done at ZITF this year, released on Thursday. The organisation carried out a survey to gather key data from exhibitors and delegates who attended ZITF 2025.
The 65th edition of the ZITF was held in Bulawayo from April 21 to 26, 2025 under the theme: “Industrialization: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape.”
The report indicated that a total of 154 respondents completed the online Google survey forms.
“Of these 94 (61 percent) of the respondents were exhibitors, while 60 (39 percent) were business delegates. 94 respondents represent (~16 percent) of the total direct exhibitors (there were 574) at ZITF and ~12 percent of the total exhibitors (795) (direct and indirect).”
ZITF Company said the financial data on orders and leads generated is denominated in United States Dollars due to the presence of 67 foreign exhibitors.
It said the summary of the actual total value of leads generated at ZITF 2025 by the 154 respondents was between US$47.6 million and US$60.7 million.
“By statistical extrapolation to the entire population of exhibitors an estimated total of US$296 million to US$379m worth of business leads were generated at ZITF. Our survey also assessed how much business those who attended ZITF did with each other (B2B transaction within ZITF),” read part of the report.
The organisation said 33 respondents reported having signed major agreements at ZITF, these agreements ranged from supply agreements, private partnership agreements, public-private partnerships (PPPs) term sheets, distribution and service agreements, among others.
It said the respondents in the survey indicated that they signed agreements valued at US$18m during the ZITF period.
ZITF Company said: “Key for the show delegates and exhibitors is the follow up that happens after the show to consummate, finalise and conclude these agreements. Contrary to the often-touted notion that the ZITF is a talk show, the platform continues to grow as a place where business is done, and key agreements are signed.”
It said it must be noted that not all negotiations between counterparties that began at ZITF 2025 were concluded during ZITF and some will be concluded during the year.
The organisation said as the show organiser, they continue to encourage exhibitors and delegates to see ZITF as a potent platform where business is concluded, products and services are launched for the first time and major transformational agreements are signed.
