ZITF 2025 to spotlight strategies for economic growth and AfCFTA opportunities
The 65th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) is set to spotlight strategies essential for accelerating economic development and catalysing the embrace of trade opportunities provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The AfCFTA, an African Union Agenda 2063 flagship initiative, with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product of approximately US$3.4 trillion, seeks to create a single market.
It was operationalised in January 2021 to streamline customs procedures, reduce bureaucracy, and harmonise technical standards to ease the movement of goods across the continent’s borders.
The AfCFTA agreement, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, aims to eliminate tariffs on 90 per cent of goods traded between member states over a 10-year period.
The objective is to foster regional economic integration and boost intra-African trade by 53 per cent by next year, with the potential to create up to 30 million jobs and lift 30 million people out of poverty.
ZITF serves as a platform for showcasing products and technological innovations that can drive industrial and economic growth, while allowing businesses and investors to meet and create profitable relationships.
Last month, Cabinet considered and approved the proposed theme, “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,” for the event to be held from 22–26 April 2025.
This year’s edition was held under the theme, “Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade.”
Speaking during the post-Cabinet media briefing last month, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the event would be private sector-led, with investment and export development programmes playing a central role.
“The nation is informed that the 2025 ZITF will be held from 22 to 26 April. The exhibition will spotlight strategies essential to accelerate economic development and will catalyse the embrace of trade opportunities as provided by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” said Dr Muswere.
“Given the national vision of developing the economy to ensure the achievement of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, Cabinet approved ‘Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape’ as the theme for the event.”
Dr Muswere said the theme emphasises the importance of establishing a strong and competitive industrial base in Zimbabwe to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
This year’s edition registered a 35 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors, totalling 766, up from 565 in 2023.
The 766 exhibitors consisted of 471 direct exhibitors and 295 indirect exhibitors.
Indirect exhibitors are individual exhibitors who exhibit under the banner of a country pavilion, holding company, or partner organisation.
According to the ZITF Company, which organises the expo, 208 of the total exhibitors were new exhibitors, with 98 per cent of these being foreign exhibitors.
The exhibition showcased a wide range of companies and organisations that focused on different aspects of innovation and growth.
The ZITF Company had to turn away nearly 80 businesses after running out of exhibition space, demonstrating the convening power of the country’s prime global expo, as small and large businesses jostled for market attention while showcasing their goods and services-chroncil
