Econet tech expo roars to life
STAFF WRITER
Thousands of people yesterday converged on the Econet E-novate Expo 2025 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) as Zimbabwe’s largest telecoms and technology company put up a technology showcase designed to accelerate digital transformation and strengthen innovation networks.
The three-day expo has also attracted global telecommunications technology and infrastructure giants Ericsson, Huawei, ZTE and Samsung, which are exhibiting advanced 5G systems, smart-device solutions, cybersecurity platforms, future-facing digital equipment and various other technologies.
Visitors spent hours yesterday engaging in hands-on demonstrations of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing – which are increasingly shaping the global tech landscape and are set to be the key drivers of economic growth across the world.Technology experts said the structure and organization of the expo mirrors leading international technology events seen in Barcelona, Shanghai and Dubai – combining exhibitions with keynote addresses, masterclasses, hackathons, fireside discussions, gaming tournaments and youth innovation competitions.
Local developer Tariro Chikandi, who attended the expo, said Zimbabweans were eager to interact with global players instead of merely following developments online.
“Seeing these technologies live, here at home, brings a sense that Zimbabwe is entering the global innovation space on its own terms,” she said.
Technology analyst Ade Bamidele, who said he travelled from South Africa for the expo, said the platform could help establish Zimbabwe as a regional centre for innovation.
“The energy and ambition here are very similar to the global tech gatherings we attend across the world. There is a clear readiness to collaborate and compete internationally,” he said.
Students from institutions of higher learning – including the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), the University of Zimbabwe, the Midlands State University, Africa University and many others – are also attending and participating at the expo, with a view to gain exposure to new technologies, research opportunities and global career pathways.
A final-year engineering student said engaging directly with global companies offered crucial industry exposure.
“It feels like a real-world laboratory. We are seeing the tools and systems we normally only study in theory,” he said.
