ZITF drives policy and partnerships, not talk: Dr Busisa Moyo

ZITF board chair Dr Busisa Moyo

THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) board chairperson, Dr Busisa Moyo, has dismissed social media claims describing the ZITF as merely a “talk show”, saying the event is a serious economic platform whose outcomes directly influence Government policy and strategic planning across ministries.

Dr Moyo made the remarks at the International Business Conference (IBC) 2026 on Wednesday, where he stressed that ZITF has consistently gone beyond being a ceremonial calendar event, instead serving as a vital economic tool that enables policymakers and business leaders to forge new alliances while shaping and reshaping national and sectoral priorities.

The conference, organised by ZITF Company in partnership with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the National Economic Consultative Forum, was officially opened by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

It brought together policymakers, business experts, captains of industry, senior Government officials and other key stakeholders drawn from diverse sectors of the economy.

In his address, Dr Moyo said purposeful engagement between policymakers, business leaders and development partners remains essential for meaningful progress.

“The International Business Conference is a curated forum that is practical, inclusive and focused on outcomes. At the end of our discussions, as we did last year, we will have a set of resolutions.

“And we’ve already begun to craft those resolutions in the conversation, starting with the Rural Industrialisation Programme.

“Yesterday, we had the Youth in Business Forum. And at the end of each of these meetings, we have one or two, sometimes three things that we want to carry forward into the year. And a lot of these find their way into the strategic plans of ministries.

“Under the leadership of our alliance, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, they make sure that those are incorporated into the strategic plans of other ministries. So, I know there are comments that we often get on social media: ‘This is a talk show.’ No, it’s not a talk show because we have resolutions, and those resolutions find their way into strategic plans, and those strategic plans find their way into action.”

Dr Moyo said this year’s theme, “Connected Economies and Competitive Industries”, reflects the key ingredients required to achieve Zimbabwe’s broader economic aspirations, emphasising the importance of integration and competitiveness.

He noted that economies must be connected to trade, raw materials, markets, technology and skills, adding that connectivity alone is insufficient without the ability to compete sustainably.

“Competitive industries are built across vertical ecosystems that deliver an end product that consumers require, need, or even sometimes just want. We often tout as Africans that we are brothers.

“Competitiveness demands productivity, quality, reliability, innovation and cost discipline. It requires not just companies but industries that can meet standards, deliver consistently, and compete with confidence locally, regionally, and globally using cutting-edge technology.

“The number of today’s conference agenda will be to plant the seeds for a truly transformative agenda between the private sector and the public sector and our policy makers as 2030 approaches, to further rapidly industrialise in a way that achieves the goals that we have set for ourselves.”

Dr Moyo further underscored the central role of the private sector in driving Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 ambitions, noting that the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) positions growth as being private sector led.

Meanwhile, he revealed that this year’s ZITF attracted about 775 exhibitors, comprising both local and regional participants, with over 90 new exhibitors showcasing new products and innovations, a development he said demonstrated growing confidence in the platform and the economy at large.