By 
By Ross Moyo
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show roared into life today at Exhibition Park with 640 exhibitors a 4.4% increase from 630 last year — and for the first time in years, all exhibition halls are fully subscribed.
The 116th edition of the country’s premier agricultural showcase runs until Saturday under the theme: “Powering Growth: Where Agriculture, Technology and Commerce Converge.”
MORE EXHIBITORS, MORE CONFIDENCE
ZAS Chief Executive Rufaro Alfred Gunundu said the growth reflects rising confidence in the show as a platform for business, innovation and market access.
“ZAS 2026 has registered strong growth in the number of exhibitors, rising from 630 last year to 640 this year,” he said.
Of the 640, 86 are new exhibitors, accounting for 13.4% of all participants.
“This is a clear indication that there is growing interest in the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show,” Gunundu said.
The increase comes despite economic headwinds, with companies across agriculture, technology, finance and manufacturing jostling for space to reach farmers and buyers.
FOREIGN EXHIBITORS JUMP FROM 11% TO 18%
International participation has also surged. Foreign exhibitors now account for 18%, up from 11% last year.
“Foreign exhibitors have gone up from 11 percent last year to 18 percent this year, which is very encouraging,” Gunundu said.
“This growth in foreign participation brings diversity to the show and creates opportunities for knowledge sharing, business linkages and exposure to international products and innovations.”
Countries represented include Namibia — whose President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to officially open the show — as well as South Africa, China, Brazil and the EU. Exhibits range from precision tractors and irrigation tech to seed genetics and agro-processing equipment.
The jump is being seen as a vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s agriculture sector and its role as a regional food hub.
ALL TELCOS ON DECK: TECH TAKES CENTRE STAGE
True to the theme, technology dominated day one. All major telcos are exhibiting, showcasing how digital tools are powering farms.
NetOne, Econet, Telecel, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Dandemutande and regulator POTRAZ are joined by POSB in the ICT pavilion.
On display: smart agriculture SIMs, drone connectivity, EcoFarmer and mobile money for agro-payments, fibre-to-the-farm, VSAT for irrigation schemes, and cloud platforms for cold-chain logistics.
The presence of the full telecoms sector highlights the growing link between connectivity and productivity on Zimbabwean farms.
NEW ATTRACTIONS AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Gunundu said this year’s show has something for everyone.
“We invite people from all walks of life to come and join us. There is everything for everyone,” he said.
An exciting first is the showcasing of ostriches at ZAS for the first time in history, adding to livestock, crops, implements and agro-processing displays.
Visitors can also expect product launches, business-to-business meetings, and masterclasses on value addition and climate-smart agriculture.
WHY IT MATTERS
With halls full, new exhibitors up, and foreign participation at its highest in years, ZAS 2026 is positioning itself as the key convergence point for farmers, financiers, tech firms and international partners.
The 4.4% growth in exhibitors and expanded global footprint signal that despite challenges, Zimbabwe’s agricultural value chain is attracting investment, innovation and trade.
ZIMBABWE AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2026
Dates: August 24-30
Venue: Exhibition Park, Harare
Theme: Powering Growth: Where Agriculture, Technology and Commerce Converge
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