Econet dominates ZITF 2025 with trailblazing exhibit, wins coveted Presidential Award
SAMANTHA MADE
Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe’s leading technology company, has set a new benchmark for innovation at the 2025 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), where it emerged as the undisputed standout exhibitor. The company’s cutting-edge showcase, which reimagined the nation’s digital future, earned it a clean sweep of top honours — including the prestigious Presidential Award for the Supreme Zimbabwean Exhibit.
In total, Econet scooped four major accolades: Best Zimbabwean ICT Exhibit, Best Thematic Representation, Most Experiential Zimbabwean Exhibit, and the Presidential Award — a feat unmatched at this year’s ZITF. The 65th edition of the trade fair, held in Bulawayo from Monday to Saturday, ran under the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape.”
The awards were officially presented during Friday’s opening ceremony by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, the guest of honour, alongside Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
At the heart of Econet’s success was a bold, interactive exhibition that brought its full digital ecosystem to life — from 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to renewable energy and fintech innovations. Visitors experienced live demonstrations of superfast broadband, immersive virtual reality simulations, intelligent automation tools, and next-generation customer engagement platforms.
Judges praised the company’s “exceptional thematic execution” and “engaging digital touchpoints,” which mirrored the trade fair’s emphasis on integration and industrial transformation. The double-storey stand, designed with striking visual appeal, offered a seamless blend of technology, education, and sustainability.
Econet Group Chief Executive Officer Douglas Mboweni welcomed the awards as a reflection of the company’s ongoing drive to lead Zimbabwe’s digital evolution.
“We are honoured and humbled to receive these awards, which are testament to our commitment to driving economic empowerment through innovation and the latest technologies, and to the hard work of our teams across the business,” Mboweni said.
“We truly thank God and are grateful to all our customers – both consumer and enterprise customers – for their support, and for the support we continue to receive from our various stakeholders, including our regulators and the government through our parent ministry and other public players.”
ZITF, held annually in Bulawayo, is southern Africa’s leading trade showcase and a magnet for business leaders and innovators. This year’s edition drew significant attention for its focus on building regional economic linkages through industrial and digital transformation — a theme Econet embodied through its groundbreaking exhibit.
