By Dickson Bandera
HARARE – Major corporates, state institutions and regional players emerged as top performers at the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), underscoring the country’s evolving industrial competitiveness and growing private sector depth.
The annual exhibitor competition, a key barometer of innovation and market positioning, saw telecommunications giant Econet Wireless Zimbabwe clinch the prestigious Supreme Zimbabwean Exhibit Award, ahead of National Foods Limited and Proplastics.
The result cements Econet’s continued dominance in Zimbabwe’s corporate landscape, while highlighting strong competition from manufacturing and agro-processing firms.
In the financial services sector, Old Mutual secured first position, followed by BancABC and FBC Holdings, reflecting sustained competition in a sector central to economic stability and investment flows.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe led the public sector category, ahead of the Ministries of Higher and Tertiary Education and Health and Child Care, signalling the continued prominence of government institutions in driving national development initiatives.
Industrial and infrastructure-linked categories were dominated by established players. Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) topped the motor trade exhibit category, while Hwange Colliery Company and Dinson Iron and Steel Company featured prominently in mining and engineering.
In manufacturing and value addition, National Foods Limited led the food packaging category, reinforcing its position in agro-industrial processing. Proplastics also secured top honours in the home solutions category, further demonstrating the manufacturing sector’s resilience.
The telecommunications and ICT sector remained highly competitive, with TelOne winning the postal, courier and telecommunications category ahead of Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and Liquid Telecom.
Energy and sustainability also featured strongly, with Geo Pomona Waste Management winning the energy exhibit category, followed by the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe and the Rural Electrification Agency, reflecting increasing investment in alternative energy and infrastructure.
Tourism and travel saw Airports Company of Zimbabwe and Transvaal Corporation take first position, ahead of Victoria Falls Safari Collection and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, highlighting recovery momentum in the tourism sector.
Regionally, Botswana secured the Chairman’s Award for the country with the most individual corporate and private sector exhibits, ahead of South Africa and Mozambique, reinforcing its strong trade engagement with Zimbabwe.
The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe was named Supreme International Exhibit winner, ahead of Belarus’ Belinterexpo and South Africa’s Limpopo Economic Development Agency, signalling continued international participation at ZITF.
Analysts say the 2026 results reflect a broad-based recovery in key sectors, particularly manufacturing, ICT and agriculture-linked industries, while also pointing to increasing competition among both local and international exhibitors.
The ZITF remains one of Southern Africa’s premier trade showcases, providing a platform for companies to demonstrate innovation, secure partnerships and expand market reach.
