Government Ramps Up Final Preparations for Presidential Innovation Fair

Itai Mazire

The government is in the final stages of preparing for the 2025 Presidential Innovation Fair, with Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Dr Frederick Shava indicating that this year’s edition will anchor the country’s industrialisation agenda and the transition into the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Dr Shava said the Fair is now fully aligned with core national policies. “The Fair supports Vision 2030 by accelerating innovation-led industrial growth. As the nation moves from NDS1 to NDS2, the government will strengthen the commercialisation of research, deepen innovation ecosystems, and expand rural industrialisation through the hub-and-spoke model,” said Dr Shava.

He stressed that every innovation at the Fair will be monitored to ensure it reaches the market. “Government has directed that all funded innovations be closely monitored along their commercialisation journey.”

He noted that incubation frameworks, patent support, and industrial testing facilities have been strengthened to guarantee economic value from locally developed technologies.

Dr Shava said young innovators will also take centre stage, with targeted programmes designed to integrate them into the national economic mainstream. “Youth exhibitors have a dedicated innovation zone, mentorship sessions with industry leaders, and pitching platforms to secure investment partnerships. Government’s intention is for young talent to be at the forefront of building the new Zimbabwean economy,” said Dr Shava.

He added that a key focus of the 2025 edition is its contribution to rural development, especially through practical technologies. “Under NDS2, the Ministry is accelerating rural industrialisation through the hub-and-spoke model. Innovations on display will be examined for suitability in sectors such as agro-industry, food processing, renewable energy, and rural manufacturing.”

The government is also taking steps to ensure top innovators remain in the country, citing new funding windows and incentives. “By strengthening our innovation financing ecosystem, we ensure that Zimbabwe remains the best environment for innovators to build globally competitive enterprises.”

With participation expected from universities, polytechnics, vocational training centres, private innovators, and development partners, attendance is projected to surpass all previous editions, as Zimbabwe positions innovation at the heart of its development drive.