Tinotenda Hove

The 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair has stirred controversy amid mounting accusations that the annual business exhibition has been transformed into a partisan platform for ZANU PF propaganda.

ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera, who also leads the ZANU PF-linked Young Women 4ED group, ignited the backlash after publicly framing this year’s ZITF as a celebration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership and ruling party ideology.

“As National Chairman of Young Women for Economic Development, I was honoured to lead our vibrant team at this year’s ZITF,” Mavetera said in a statement over the weekend. “It served as a remarkable platform to display the strength, creativity, and determination of young women driving Zimbabwe’s economic revival under the guidance of His Excellency, President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.”

Mavetera also heaped praise on First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, saying: “We are truly thankful to Her Excellency Dr. A. Mnangagwa for her mentorship and support. With her inspiration, young women across the country are stepping into leadership roles that are shaping Zimbabwe’s future.”

However, critics argue that the minister’s remarks signal a worrying shift in the event’s purpose.

“What we saw at this year’s ZITF was not a national trade fair—it was a political endorsement campaign,” said one business analyst based in Bulawayo. “The event is losing credibility as a professional and neutral platform for commerce.”

Traditionally seen as a hub for investment, innovation, and regional trade, the ZITF has historically attracted delegates from across Africa and beyond. But this year’s edition, saturated with ZANU PF regalia and rhetoric, left many questioning whether the fair still serves its intended economic function.

“There was more political messaging than business dialogue,” said a trade exhibitor from Harare, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It felt more like a ZANU PF rally than a trade event.”

As the boundaries between governance and ruling party interests continue to blur, stakeholders are now calling for a clear separation of state events from partisan politics to preserve the integrity of national institutions like ZITF.