Story by Yolanda Moyo
THE 66th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) reached its peak this Thursday, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Botswana counterpart Duma Boko touring exhibition stands at the premier showcase in Bulawayo.
The two leaders visited a cross-section of stands, including the Botswana pavilion, sampling innovations and exploring investment opportunities across key sectors.
President Boko underscored the need for accelerated regional industrialisation, urging Southern Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials.
“The region wants to industrialise very fast. So, we must produce raw material and then convert this raw material into goods that we can then deploy in our development agenda. I have seen many companies, large and small, involved in sectors such as agriculture, construction, food, agro-processing and leather.
“You can see that our people are up and coming, and there are young people also involved in technology and artificial intelligence. It shows that we are not just mere purveyors of knowledge, but generators of knowledge as well, making world-class products. This has been showcased brilliantly,” he said.
The two Presidents also toured the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s restaurant, where embassies showcased a variety of traditional dishes, highlighting the role of gastronomy in promoting cultural exchange and tourism.
The high-level visit reinforces growing momentum towards regional integration, with Zimbabwe and Botswana positioning their cooperation as a driver of industrial growth, trade expansion and sustainable development in Southern Africa.
