President Mnangagwa is expected to officiate at Zimbabwe’s premier mining, engineering, and transport expo, Mine Entra, on 9 October 2025 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition and Conference Smart City (ZIECS).

Running under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” Mine Entra is organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Zimbabwe Miners Federation, and the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe.

Addressing the media during a press briefing on Wednesday, ZITF Company chairperson Mr Busisa Moyo said preparations for Mine Entra are at an advanced stage, with over 240 direct exhibitors confirmed to participate, showing strong interest from both local and international stakeholders.

This figure includes 14 direct exhibitors representing four countries: the People’s Republic of China, India, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Exhibitors cover a diverse range of sectors, including heavy and light equipment suppliers, engineering firms, transport and logistics providers, research institutions, financial service providers, and other support services.

“As is the norm, the highlight of the conferencing program will be the Mine Entra Conference and the official opening ceremony scheduled for the 9th of October, which will be headlined by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa. He will be accompanied by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honorable Winston Chitando, alongside other cabinet ministers, high-level government officials, industry leaders, and international delegates,” said Mr. Moyo.

“An industry-driven conferencing program has also been lined up in close cooperation with the Chamber of Mines and the Zimbabwe Miners Federation. We believe the dialogue earmarked for two conferences to be hosted by these organisations respectively will contribute to policy development, aligning with the aspirations and needs of small and large-scale miners.”

Mr Moyo added that topics to be discussed will span critical areas shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

“We are confident that these conferences will result in transformative outcomes that will advance the national mining industry’s contribution. We are also pleased to highlight that this year’s annual Mine Entra Charity Golf Tournament will be hosted at the Gulf Club in the spirit of social responsibility,” he said.

Running concurrently with Mine Entra is the Africa Infrastructure Built Environment Conference and Expo, Africonfex, a development designed to amplify cross-sectoral engagement, attract a broader spectrum of stakeholders, and foster meaningful synergies.

The expo will run under the theme “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution.”

Mr Moyo said this year’s programme will focus on integrated climate-resilient and sustainable infrastructure development.

Confirmed participants represent a diverse array of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, city planners, financiers, and policymakers, all eager to explore the future of infrastructure development in Zimbabwe and beyond Africa.

“Africonfex’s anchor conference will be held on Wednesday, 8 October, and is set to be officially opened by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Honorable Felix Mhona,” said Mr Moyo.

“The session will also delve into critical areas such as smart city design, climate-resilient infrastructure, inclusive urban planning, and innovation in construction technologies. It is a strategic response to the pressing need for modern, sustainable, and people-centered infrastructure in Zimbabwe and the region.”

ZITF chief executive officer Dr Nicholas Ndebele explained that the combination of the two expos was mainly due to scheduling, as Mine Entra was originally planned for July.

“Nonetheless, we are happy to combine the two because they are quite related insofar as the equipment used in mining as well as in infrastructure development,” said Dr Ndebele.