The trade fair in Bulawayo spotlights young entrepreneurs while ZimTrade sets ambitious export targets
Bulawayo is buzzing with activity as thousands of visitors are at the country’s second-largest city for the 66th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), taking place from April 20 to 25, 2026.
This year’s edition has placed a strong emphasis on inclusion and future growth, kicking off with the launch of the Youth in Business Festival. The initiative aims to spotlight young entrepreneurs through exhibitions, networking platforms, and collaborative opportunities designed to integrate them into the broader business ecosystem.
To support this drive, ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer Allan Majuru said the organisation is prioritising youth- and women-led enterprises as part of its broader export development strategy.
“As I said previously, I think the diversification for us played a huge role. We also know the number of companies that are in that business. I think, for example, we’ve put in place programmes like Eagle’s Nest, targeted at youth entrepreneurs, youth-led enterprises that are not older than five years. And also Next Share, a programme that is targeting women-led enterprises,” said Majuru.
His remarks come as Zimbabwe records significant growth in its export sector, with trade volumes increasing from $8 billion to $10 billion. The milestone has reinforced the need to sustain momentum through targeted support and expanded market access.
“We managed to get the $10 billion, and of course, we did a thorough review of our pros and cons that we saw when executing this one. We are looking for a growth in exports at around 10% for the goods and also services at around 15%,” he said.
As this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair unfolds, its focus on youth and women signals a strategic shift toward a more inclusive and resilient economy. By pairing targeted enterprise development programmes with ambitious export growth targets, ZITF 2026 is positioning itself not just as a marketplace but as a catalyst for long-term economic transformation. If sustained, these efforts could play a pivotal role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s competitiveness on the global stage while ensuring broader participation in its economic future.