The Government has called on Zimbabwe’s media to play a central role in advancing the country’s industrialisation agenda by providing factual, balanced and analytical reporting that promotes investment, innovation and public understanding of economic transformation.
Speaking at the Media Awareness Day of the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZICE) 2026, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the media was a strategic national partner in the country’s drive towards achieving Vision 2030.
Dr Soda said the conference, being held under the theme *”Accelerating Industrialisation Through Regional Value Chains, Innovation and Trade,”* brings together Government, industry, investors, development partners and academia to shape Zimbabwe’s industrial future. The inaugural event is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates and 200 exhibitors from across the region.
He said the conference is a strategic partnership involving the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Africa Economic Development Strategies (AEDS) and ZimTrade, aimed at unlocking investment, promoting value addition and beneficiation, strengthening regional value chains and expanding the country’s export competitiveness.
Among the key highlights of ZICE 2026 will be the launch of the *State of Industry and 2027 Prospects Report*, which was compiled following nationwide research involving more than 2,300 stakeholders, including over 2,000 companies and representatives from Government, academia, research institutions and development partners.
Dr Soda said journalists should move beyond reporting conference proceedings and instead explain how industrialisation, value addition and beneficiation create jobs, increase national wealth and position Zimbabwe as a competitive manufacturing economy under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He noted that Zimbabwe is witnessing renewed industrial momentum, with investments expanding across mining beneficiation, steel production, manufacturing, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, energy and digital innovation.
According to the minister, these developments require greater visibility through responsible journalism that documents progress objectively while building investor confidence and promoting the country’s industrial potential.
Dr Soda also urged the media to support the Made in Zimbabwe campaign by profiling locally manufactured products and successful enterprises in line with the Local Content Strategy (2026–2035). He said stronger media coverage could influence consumer behaviour, encourage import substitution and strengthen domestic industries.
The minister further challenged journalists to help simplify emerging concepts such as Industry 4.0, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and green manufacturing to ensure businesses, entrepreneurs and the public understand the opportunities presented by technological advancement.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to transparency and constructive engagement with the media, pledging access to information and policy experts throughout the conference to facilitate credible reporting.
Dr Soda said the success of Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda depends not only on sound policy and investment but also on the national narrative built through the media, calling on journalists to become ambassadors of the country’s industrial transformation.
