Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is fast becoming a key platform for showcasing the country’s devolution agenda, with provinces actively highlighting their unique economic strengths and development strategies.
Speaking on Tuesday evening at the ZITF 2025 Welcome Cocktail, where he was the guest of honour, Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, underscored the growing participation of entities from across the country. He said this demonstrated the Government’s commitment to empowering provincial economies.
Engineer Muguti noted that the trade fair serves as a clear expression of the devolution policy, enabling provinces to exhibit their economic potential and attract investment.
“The agenda of devolution is being exemplified through ZITF, where we are seeing numerous companies and stakeholders from various provinces showcasing what they offer and the opportunities available within their regions,” he said.
He said that the increasing visibility of provincial showcases at ZITF represents a meaningful step towards realising Zimbabwe’s devolution vision, aimed at unlocking economic growth across all ten provinces.
As part of efforts to strengthen provincial capacity, Engineer Muguti revealed that the Public Service Commission has deployed 550 professionals, comprising economists, engineers, development planners, and investment officers, across the country. He said that these professionals have already contributed to the formulation of provincial economic development plans, crafted in close collaboration with local stakeholders.
“We expect to see even greater progress over the coming years as we work towards Vision 2030. This journey will help us track where we’ve come from and where we’re heading in terms of economic development.
“I’m pleased to share that, with support from development partners, many of whom are here with us today, we have completed the Provincial Fiscal Performance Analysis Framework. This will soon allow us to assess provincial GDP, production indices, tourism data, poverty levels, and other indicators that will simplify decision-making for investors,” he said.
Engineer Muguti urged members of the diplomatic community to strengthen their engagement with the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) to ensure a smooth and investor-friendly process.
“I encourage the diplomatic community to work closely with ZIDA so that when investors express interest in Zimbabwe, the process is seamless and efficient, with all red tape removed.
“Furthermore, should investors encounter any challenges, we now have representation from the Office of His Excellency in all ten provinces, through the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. This should greatly ease the investor experience.”
He reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s status as a peaceful and welcoming destination, open for business, and urged the diplomatic corps to help share that message with the world.
Building on this, Engineer Muguti reflected on the historical presence of international companies in Zimbabwe and extended an invitation for continued collaboration to achieve mutual prosperity.
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