Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve and Judith Phiri
DOMESTIC and foreign exhibitors have expressed strong optimism for clinching lucrative deals and expanding markets from engagements at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, which kicked off in Bulawayo yesterday with participants showcasing high-quality products and services.
This year’s exhibition is bigger and better, judging by the overwhelming demand for space and extended exhibition area.
It is running under the theme: “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”, with 31 countries and over 700 exhibitors participating.
ZITF Company board chairman, Dr Busisa Moyo, has confirmed the swelling exhibitor numbers for the 66th ZITF that runs until Saturday at the Zimbabwe Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES).
“We have a total of 775 exhibitors this year and 49 foreign exhibitors from 31 countries, up from 28 countries last year,” he said yesterday.
“I will encourage delegates to please traverse and enjoy, consume, see as much of what you can of ZITF because we have much to show and as well as the private sector.”
Dr Moyo said this year’s theme, “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries”, is in sync with the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and there is a need to enable trade and recognise Zimbabwe as part of a wide network of other economies.
“In this regard, at ZITF, we hope to foster borderless regional market trades or trade across regional markets to take advantage of an integrated supply chain and international niche products that we produce in Zimbabwe to connect to markets, to connect to suppliers of technology that could improve what we do in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The multi-sectoral platform has drawn an array of participants from across the globe, all eager to leverage the unique networking and business development opportunities at home, across Africa and beyond.
Among the foreign exhibitors, Mr Andrei Kleinov from BiSON Agro Machinery, a Belarusian company, spoke on the strategic importance of the fair.
“Our company is the service centre for Belarusian equipment that comes to Zimbabwe. This year, the same as many years before, we are again exhibiting at ZITF,” he said.
“We are showcasing our tractors — bigger tractors, smaller tractors, including a mini tractor — as well as implements.”
Mr Kleinov highlighted the company’s deep integration into the local agricultural landscape.
“Actually, at the ZITF, you may find those Belarusian placards at many places, not only at our stand. Once again, we are exhibiting to show our presence in Zimbabwe, to show the success of the agricultural mechanisation programme of Zimbabwe and to show our commitment to Government programmes,” he said.
Climate Resilient Livelihoods project communications officer Ms Pylia Chembe said her organisation is primarily focused on learning.
“For us as a project, we are climate resilient, a livelihoods project operating in southern Zimbabwe, in rural southern Zimbabwe,” she said.
