The Secretary for Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa, has emphasized the critical role of private sector involvement in ensuring Zimbabwe’s successful participation at Expo 2025 Osaka. Speaking at the launch of the Zimbabwe Pavilion Website and Mobile Application, alongside a Tourism Stakeholder Engagement event held at Golden Conifer, Dr. Munyanyiwa highlighted the importance of partnerships in leveraging the global showcase to boost tourism, trade, and investment.
The Expo 2025 Osaka, scheduled to run from April 13 to October 13, 2025, in Japan, is expected to attract over 28 million visitors from across the globe. With the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the Expo will provide a platform for countries to showcase their innovations, cultures, and investment opportunities. Zimbabwe’s participation aligns with its long-term economic strategy under Vision 2030, which aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), grow exports, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Munyanyiwa underscored the significance of private sector collaboration in making Zimbabwe’s pavilion a success. “Private sector involvement is crucial in ensuring that Zimbabwe’s pavilion at Expo 2025 reflects our ambitions and capabilities. By fostering partnerships, we can leverage the Expo to boost tourism, trade, and investment, establish new markets, and further our national development goals,” he said.
The newly launched Zimbabwe Pavilion Website and Mobile Application will serve as a one-stop-shop for information, offering an immersive experience of Zimbabwe’s tourism offerings and investment opportunities. The platform is designed to enhance the country’s visibility, facilitate engagement with tourists and investors, and showcase the vast opportunities available in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
Zimbabwe’s participation in Expo 2025 comes at a pivotal time for the country’s tourism sector, which has been recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), international tourist arrivals grew by 56% in 2023, reaching 1.2 million visitors, contributing approximately $1.2 billion to the economy. The government aims to build on this momentum by positioning Zimbabwe as a prime tourist destination at the Expo.
Historically, World Expos have been instrumental in driving economic growth and fostering international collaboration. The first World Expo, held in London in 1851, showcased industrial innovations and attracted over 6 million visitors. More recently, Expo 2020 Dubai, which ran from October 2021 to March 2022, welcomed 24 million visitors and generated an estimated $33 billion in economic activity for the UAE. Zimbabwe’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka seeks to replicate such successes by tapping into the global platform to attract investment and promote its tourism offerings.
Dr. Munyanyiwa called on tourism stakeholders to work tirelessly to ensure Zimbabwe’s unique offerings are well-represented. “From our stunning natural landscapes to our vibrant cultural heritage, we are confident that our tourism offerings will leave a lasting impression on the global stage,” he said.
The Secretary also expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication and passion, urging them to join hands in promoting Zimbabwe’s tourism and investment opportunities. “Together, let us make Expo 2025 Osaka a resounding success and leave a legacy for the world to travel and experience Destination Zimbabwe,” he concluded.
As Zimbabwe counts down to Expo 2025, the government and private sector are working collaboratively to harness the opportunities presented by this prestigious event.
