Preparations for the inaugural Zimbabwe Furniture Conference and Expo (ZFCX 2026) are gathering momentum, with organisers saying the initiative has received strong buy-in from stakeholders across the furniture value chain, including interest from outside Zimbabwe.
The conference, organised by the Furniture Industry Development Initiative of Zimbabwe (FIDI Zim), is expected to bring together manufacturers, timber producers, designers, retailers, investors, policymakers and other players to explore opportunities for the growth and transformation of the furniture industry.
With the inaugural indaba scheduled for September 17, organisers say preparations are already underway, with stakeholders showing growing interest in participating in the event.
FIDI Zim CEO Jacob Esau said the response from the industry had been encouraging, with the organisation receiving enquiries from both local stakeholders and prospective participants outside Zimbabwe.
“The response has been very encouraging. We have received significant interest from stakeholders within the industry, and we have also received enquiries from outside Zimbabwe, which demonstrates that there is an appetite for a platform of this nature,” Esau said.
He said the growing interest was an indication that industry players recognised the need for greater collaboration, investment and knowledge sharing if Zimbabwe was to unlock the full potential of its furniture sector.
“This is not simply about holding an exhibition. We want to create an indaba where the entire furniture value chain can come together, identify challenges, share solutions and explore opportunities for partnerships, investment and market development,” he said.
Zimbabwe has a sizeable timber resource base, a pool of skilled artisans and an established manufacturing sector, but the industry continues to face challenges ranging from limited investment and technology gaps to fragmented coordination, competition from imports and limited access to international markets.
The organisers believe the conference can help address some of these challenges by bringing key decision-makers and industry players under one roof.
More than 500 participants are expected at the event, including furniture manufacturers, timber producers and processors, hardware and upholstery suppliers, interior designers, architects, retailers, property developers, hospitality sector representatives, financial institutions, investors, government agencies, development partners, training institutions, SMEs, entrepreneurs and consumers.
Esau said the diversity of expected participants was deliberate as the development of a competitive furniture industry required collaboration beyond manufacturers alone.
“The furniture industry is connected to many other sectors, from timber production and construction to property development, hospitality, finance and retail. Bringing these players together gives us an opportunity to build relationships that can translate into real business opportunities,” he said.
The conference programme will focus on industry development and competitiveness, innovation and technology, value addition and beneficiation, export development, quality standards and investment opportunities.
Discussions are also expected to explore modern furniture production technologies, digital transformation and automation, sustainable utilisation of raw materials, product certification, export compliance, financing and joint ventures.
The expo component will give exhibitors an opportunity to showcase furniture and wood products, machinery and equipment, interior décor solutions, hardware and fittings, design innovations, manufacturing technologies and financial and business support services.
According to FIDI Zim, the event is expected to strengthen industry collaboration, increase the visibility of locally produced furniture, generate business and investment opportunities and promote greater value addition to Zimbabwe's timber resources.
Esau said the ultimate objective was to position Zimbabwe as a competitive furniture manufacturing centre in the region.
“We want to see more value being retained in Zimbabwe. Instead of exporting raw materials and importing finished products, we need to strengthen our capacity to manufacture quality furniture locally and compete in regional and international markets,” he said.
As preparations gather pace, organisers are also inviting companies and institutions to partner with the conference through sponsorship and exhibition opportunities.
Sponsorship packages include title, platinum, gold and silver sponsorship, as well as exhibition space and branding and marketing partnerships.
The inaugural Zimbabwe Furniture Conference and Expo is expected to provide a platform for the industry to collectively examine its challenges while identifying opportunities to drive investment, innovation, value addition and export growth.
