WATCH: 812 total exhibitors participate at ZITF 2026 – herald
OVER 800 exhibitors participated at this year's 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026 up from 795 exhibitors in 2025, while the premier trade fair exceeded its available exhibition space, achieving utilisation rate of 104 percent.
The curtains came down on the six-day showcase on Saturday at the Zimbabwe Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES) and it ran under the theme: "Connected Economies, Competitive Industries."
Speaking during the Post-ZITF 2026 press briefing on Sunday, Minister of Industry and Commerce Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu said ZITF remains one of Zimbabwe's most important platforms for trade promotion, investment facilitation, industrial linkages, and market access.
"I am pleased to report that ZITF 2026 exceeded its available exhibition space, achieving an utilisation rate of 104 percent, with exhibitors taking up 50 687 square metre (sqm) against 48 655 sqm of space offered for sale.
"A gigantic marquee measuring 2 100 sqm was erected to accommodate an overflow of 105 exhibitors that could not be accommodated in the existing halls," he said.
"Key participation and space utilisation indicators include 812 total exhibitors, 517 direct exhibitors (including 100 leaseholders), up from 498 in 2025, 295 indirect exhibitors and 133 international exhibitors down from 159 in 2025."
He said foreign direct exhibitors were 41, foreign indirect exhibitors 92 and 31 countries represented this year up from 30 in 2025.
The Minister said participating countries this year included Angola, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, China, Denmark, Eswatini, Ethiopia, European Union (EU), France, Ghana India, Indonesia, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Kenya and Malawi.
Among them also Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK) and Zambia.
"This healthy mix of international exhibitors confirms that Bulawayo remains a critical node in the global trade network. ZITF 2026 experienced a notable increase in private sector participation," he added.
"Government participation stood at 39 percent (316), while the private sector accounted for 61 percent (496). This growth reflects a robust interest in the event, marking it as a pivotal platform for industry engagement, trade and investment promotion."
He said they also confirm ZITF's continued relevance as a serious marketplace — where deals are initiated, partnerships are built, and investment conversations move from intention to execution.
Minister Ndhlovu said ZITF 2026 reinforced that role by intentionally prioritising business-to- business engagement during the first three days, while also preserving the fair's strong public-facing value in the final days.
Key Insights
- This topic is currently trending
- Experts are closely monitoring developments
- It may impact future decisions
