Hon Minister Frederick Shava
By Dickson Bandera
Zimbabwe is set to host the third edition of the Presidential Innovation Fair on 11 December 2025, with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development declaring that preparations are “at an advanced and satisfactory stage.”
The event, seen as a flagship driver of the country’s innovation-led economic transformation, is expected to attract record public attendance.
Briefing journalists in Harare, Minister Hon. Dr. F. M. Shava said the Fair will position Zimbabwe as a continental leader in applied research, technological development, and industrial innovation. He urged the nation to come out in full force to witness what he described as “the ingenuity shaping Zimbabwe’s future economy.”
“The future of our economy is being built in our institutions, our laboratories, and our innovation hubs. We invite all Zimbabweans to come and witness this transformation,” Dr. Shava said.
The 2025 edition will showcase technologies developed under the country’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, which emphasises problem-solving, industrialisation, and innovation. Universities, polytechnics, vocational training centres, private innovators, and industrial partners have all confirmed participation.
A National Platform for Breakthrough Technologies
According to the Ministry, the Fair will feature innovations across health, agriculture, AI, robotics, engineering, clean technologies, and advanced manufacturing—solutions aimed at tackling both national and global challenges.
“These are not classroom projects; these are practical, commercially viable technologies ready for deployment. Our goal is to transform prototypes into enterprises,” Dr. Shava said.
Government has tightened frameworks around innovation funding, incubation, patenting, and industry linkages to ensure that technologies displayed at the Fair move swiftly toward commercialisation.
Driving Vision 2030 and the Transition to NDS2
The Fair comes at a strategic time as Zimbabwe transitions from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2. Dr. Shava said the event is a central pillar of Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
“The Fair supports our national industrialisation agenda and accelerates the commercialisation of research,” the Minister said. “It’s a milestone in implementing the innovation priorities under NDS2, including rural industrialisation.”
Innovations suitable for rural deployment—especially in agro-processing, renewable energy, and food manufacturing—will be prioritised under the hub-and-spoke development model.
Youth-Focused Innovation
This year’s edition introduces a dedicated space for young innovators, including mentorship sessions, investment pitching platforms, and a youth innovation zone.
“Young innovators are at the centre of building the new Zimbabwean economy. We are giving them the space and support they need to shine,” Dr. Shava said.
Public Access and High-Level Participation
The Fair will be open to the public, allowing citizens to tour exhibitions and interact directly with creators. However, the Awards Ceremony, to be presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be strictly by invitation.
Government expects the highest turnout yet, with participation from local industry, development partners, and international observers.
Dr. Shava positioned the Ministry as a key driver of Zimbabwe’s technological competitiveness, saying the country is ready to showcase innovations “that demonstrate our capability to compete globally.”
“This is the new Zimbabwe—innovative, industrialising, and ready for global markets,” he said.
