Zimbabwe Shines at Expo 2025 Osaka: Culture, Innovation & Investment Take Center Stage

Reporter

On July 16, 2025, Zimbabwe captivated the world at Expo 2025 Osaka, delivering an unforgettable National Day celebration that artfully blended vibrant cultural performances, visionary leadership, and strategic economic engagement. Under the inspiring leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe’s delegation showcased the country’s rich heritage and immense growth potential to a global audience, reaffirming its place on the international stage as a dynamic partner for investment and innovation.

The Zimbabwe EXPO 2025 Logo(image source)

The day unfolded as a colorful tapestry of tradition and modernity—from mesmerizing dances and immersive virtual reality exhibits transporting visitors to Zimbabwe’s breathtaking landscapes, to high-level business forums paving the way for future collaborations with Japanese and Asian partners. This landmark event was a powerful statement of Zimbabwe’s ambitions and readiness to lead in sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Leading the charge, President Mnangagwa was accompanied by a distinguished delegation including Tourism and Hospitality Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Permanent Secretary Dr. Utete Wushe, and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Japan, Steward Nyakotyo. Together with Commissioner-General Allan Majuru, they brought a unified message of opportunity and openness that resonated with thousands of Expo attendees and investors alike.

The celebration began with formal acknowledgments of bilateral friendship, featuring the poignant raising of flags and anthems. President Mnangagwa’s keynote address highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, in harmony with Expo 2025’s global theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” He emphasized Zimbabwe’s transformative strides and invited international collaborators to join the nation’s journey toward inclusive growth and development. Cultural performances dazzled visitors with a showcase of Zimbabwe’s diverse ethnic traditions, traditional music, dance, and striking national fabrics—artfully supported by First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa’s efforts to promote Zimbabwean fashion and identity. The Zimbabwe Pavilion buzzed with visitors eager to experience an immersive virtual reality journey through the country’s natural wonders, igniting curiosity and sparking dialogue around tourism prospects.

The day before, a pivotal Business Forum convened over 200 delegates—investors, policymakers, and industry leaders—engaged in targeted discussions and business-to-business interactions. These sessions centered on unlocking Zimbabwe’s investment potential across vital sectors aligned with its National Development Strategy 1, fostering partnerships that promise jobs, infrastructure growth, and enhanced regional integration.

Ambassador Nyakotyo remarked on the historic significance of the day, noting strengthened diplomatic ties and ongoing cooperation highlighted by key infrastructure projects supported by Japanese funding. Tourism Minister Rwodzi echoed enthusiasm for increased Japanese tourism, encouraged by the pavilion’s reception and Zimbabwe’s compelling presentation.

Zimbabwe’s National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka was more than a celebration; it was a strategic showcase of heritage, innovation, and opportunity that positioned the nation firmly on the global economic map. It laid the groundwork for sustainable partnerships that will drive Zimbabwe’s future prosperity.