Story by Yolanda Moyo
THE Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company is significantly expanding its events calendar this year, introducing a series of specialised expos designed to foster innovation, drive sustainable economic growth and address critical national priorities.
As part of its strategic realignment, the ZITF Company will this year host the Scholastica Expo as a stand-alone event in July, separate from the main trade fair.
In addition, two new thematic expos, a Green Business Expo and a Technology Expo, will be launched in August.
Speaking on the development, ZITF Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nicholas Ndebele, said the decision to restructure the event calendar was informed by insights gathered from stakeholders during previous editions of the trade fair.
“The decision to host Scholastica in July as an independent event stems directly from crucial conversations held during past ZITF editions, where the consistent theme was the urgent need to strengthen collaboration between industry and academia.”
He explained that separating Scholastica from the main ZITF would give it greater prominence and allow deeper engagement with issues such as heritage-based education, indigenous knowledge systems, and career development.
“Scholastica will serve as a crucial nexus, fostering dialogue and collaboration that will lead to more responsive academic programmes, targeted research, and, ultimately, a more competitive and innovative industrial sector.
“It will also provide a centralised career fair that connects students with industry, thereby nurturing a strong talent pipeline and ensuring that local businesses have the human capital and solutions they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
The 2025 Scholastica Expo will be held under the theme: “Empowering Future Generations Through Heritage-Based Education and Innovation.”
By providing dedicated platforms for specific sectors to converge, share knowledge and forge partnerships, the ZITF Company is actively contributing to the diversification and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s economy, laying a robust foundation for the nation’s progress towards an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
