Rural Industrialization Indaba Kicks Off at ZITF 2...

Rural Industrialization Indaba Kicks Off at ZITF 2025

Oscar J Jeke – Zim Now Reporter

The inaugural Rural Industrializlsation Indaba opened today at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to boost rural economies through industrial development.

Running under the theme “Inclusive Growth, Industrial Roots: Unlocking Zimbabwe’s Rural Potential,” the high-level forum has brought together government officials, private sector players, traditional leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for transforming rural areas into industrial and economic hubs.

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu, delivered the keynote address and emphasized the importance of rural industrialization in achieving inclusive economic development. He said the government was prioritizing sectors and structures that drive provincial economies, such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.

“Our rural provinces are rich in resources. What is needed is the right infrastructure, partnerships, and policy frameworks to unlock that potential,” said Minister Ndhlovu.

The Indaba is being hosted as part of the ZITF 2025 programme and is expected to become an annual platform for dialogue and action on rural economic transformation. Presentations throughout the event will focus on value chain development, access to markets, investment incentives, and rural enterprise financing.

Secretary for Presidential Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti, also addressed the gathering, stressing the need for alignment between national devolution policies and local economic development strategies.

The event has drawn interest from several rural-based entrepreneurs, industrialists, and international development agencies keen to support Zimbabwe’s rural industrialization agenda.

Government says the outcomes of the Indaba will feed into the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan and influence future policy frameworks aimed at bridging the urban-rural economic divide.

The Rural Industrialisation Indaba is expected to run concurrently with the main ZITF programme and will include exhibitions, panel discussions, and site visits to local projects.