Tinotenda Hove- ZANU PF is targeting businesses for a US$6 million fundraising drive to finance its upcoming 23rd Annual National People’s Conference, placing the business community at the centre of efforts to bankroll the ruling party’s major political gathering.

The party plans to hold a Presidential Fundraising Dinner ahead of the conference, with the date yet to be announced. The conference is scheduled for October 12 to 17, 2026, at Chinhoyi University of Technology in Mashonaland West Province.

ZANU PF fundraising committee chairman responsible for resource mobilisation, Phillip Chiyangwa, confirmed that the party had set a US$6 million target.

“We are pleased to announce that there is significant interest from various business entities to participate in the Presidential Fundraising Dinner, which will be held on a date to be announced,” Chiyangwa said.

Chiyangwa said the party had already begun engaging businesspeople over the proposed fundraising event and the allocation of tables.

“Before the conference, we will host a legacy dinner in honour of our President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa,” he said.

“We have also met members of the business community to discuss the allocation of tables and how the process will be managed.”

The fundraising drive appears designed to draw companies and businesspeople directly into the party’s conference preparations, with Chiyangwa saying businesses of all sizes were being targeted.

“I am looking at businesses across the board, regardless of size. We want to offer everyone an opportunity to come to the table and meet the President, and to discuss their aspirations and expectations,” he said.

He also linked the party’s fundraising expectations to what he described as contributions that had been made by supporters over the years.

“The success we are witnessing today is a result of the contributions people have made over time. Our President has taken those contributions and transformed them into the success story we are seeing, and reading about, every day,” Chiyangwa said.

He further indicated that the party would establish targets for contributions and expected businesses and provincial structures to participate.

“These targets are informed by those who support the party,” he said.

“We met as a fundraising committee to discuss various issues relating to fundraising and other matters involving the party and its structures.”

Chiyangwa also urged businesspeople to participate in the event and warned that provincial structures would be expected to contribute in the coming years.

“We want members of the business community to come forward and celebrate together with the President,” he said.

“In your respective provinces, please take note that in the coming years our offices expect you not to be left out. We will establish the targets and expected contributions, and as we prepare the shortlist, we will make a commitment to attend and contribute towards the conference.”

The scale of the fundraising target places the business community at the centre of preparations for a partisan political event, with the party seeking millions of dollars before thousands of delegates descend on Chinhoyi.

ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa said preparations for the conference were progressing and that the gathering would assess the implementation of Government programmes linked to party policies.

“The conference will review the implementation of Government programmes linked to party policies and assess progress towards Vision 2030,” Mutsvangwa said.

The conference will be held under the theme, “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Empowerment Towards Vision 2030.”

Mutsvangwa said the gathering would provide an opportunity for the party to examine its achievements and challenges while discussing economic development, investment and empowerment.

“Attendees will have a unique opportunity to appreciate the implementation of President Mnangagwa’s ambitious Vision 2030 agenda, which is aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.

The programme is expected to include presentations, workshops and panel discussions covering sectors such as agriculture, industry, education and health.

“The conference will also feature a range of presentations, workshops and panel discussions focusing on various sectors, including agriculture, industry, education and health. The goal of these sessions is to engage stakeholders and encourage collaboration towards achieving national development goals,” Mutsvangwa said.

At least 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the conference, adding to the scale of the event and the financial resources required to stage it.

The US$6 million fundraising target is therefore set to become one of the most prominent features of the conference preparations, as ZANU PF turns to the business community to bankroll its major annual political gathering.