HARARE, Jun. 15 (NewsDay Live) — Zimbabwe is seeking to reposition itself as a regional manufacturing and export hub, betting that stronger private-sector investment and access to African markets can help revive industry and accelerate economic growth.
The Industry and Commerce ministry, working with economic think tank Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and ZimTrade, will host the inaugural Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE) 2026, which officials say is aimed at mobilising investment, expanding industrial capacity and boosting regional trade.
The initiative reflects a renewed push towards export-led industrialisation as policymakers attempt to reduce reliance on raw commodity exports and capture more value from Zimbabwe’s mineral and agricultural resources.
“More than a conference, ZICE 2026 is a strategic business, investment and networking platform that connects companies with policymakers, investors, financiers, customers, suppliers, technology providers, development partners, researchers and industry leaders,” organisers said.
Zimbabwe is increasingly looking to regional markets as competition for investment intensifies across Africa. Officials hope local firms can leverage opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Organisers said participating companies would gain “first-hand insights into opportunities arising from value addition and beneficiation, manufacturing expansion, infrastructure development and regional trade under SADC, COMESA and AfCFTA”.
The emphasis on value addition underscores growing concern that Zimbabwe has struggled to translate its resource wealth into broad-based industrial growth. Much of the country’s minerals and agricultural output continues to be exported in raw or semi-processed form, limiting potential earnings and job creation.
The conference is expected to attract senior government officials, regulators, commercial banks, development finance institutions, private equity firms and infrastructure financiers seeking commercially viable projects.
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Organisers said businesses would have direct access to policymakers and opportunities to identify projects linked to local sourcing, supplier development, import substitution, export-oriented production and stronger industrial linkages.
The platform will feature exhibitions, investment promotion sessions, project showcases and business matchmaking meetings designed to connect firms with investors, customers and strategic partners.
“ZICE 2026 is not simply a conference. It is a national industrialisation platform designed to promote implementation, investment mobilisation, partnership development and industrial growth,” organisers said.
They said the event was expected to generate investment commitments, business partnerships, technology transfer opportunities and industrial development initiatives.
Manufacturing has long been identified as central to Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, but the sector has struggled with limited access to capital, ageing equipment, policy uncertainty, power shortages and competition from imports despite years of policy support..
