ZEDCON 2025 Gears Up to Shape Zimbabwe’s Economic Future

16 June 2025

By Charity Chikara

Preparations for the 2025 edition of the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) are in full swing, with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion coordinating efforts in collaboration with key stakeholders. The high-level policy forum is scheduled for September and is expected to provide a robust platform for dialogue on economic transformation.

In a statement, the Ministry said: “The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is organising the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) 2025.”

The conference aims to bring together researchers, academics, corporates, economic think tanks, and development partners to exchange ideas and share best practices for implementing effective macroeconomic and sectoral policies.

“ZEDCON 2025 will focus on practical and research-driven approaches to Zimbabwe’s transformation journey, particularly in addressing current challenges while unlocking future economic opportunities,” the Ministry said.

Seven thematic areas will anchor the conference agenda: macroeconomic growth and stability, informal sector growth and resource mobilisation, infrastructure development, digital and AI innovations, diaspora investment frameworks, and regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

As part of its inclusive strategy, the Ministry is calling for the submission of abstracts and research papers. “Special consideration will be given to early-career and female researchers to promote inclusive participation and ensure that diverse voices help shape the economic narrative,” it said.

The Ministry noted that ZEDCON has evolved into a flagship platform aligning academic research with national priorities, and that the 2025 edition is expected to strengthen this alignment.

“Our goal is to produce actionable policy insights that feed directly into implementation frameworks supporting Vision 2030 and beyond,” read the statement.

ZEDCON 2025 is expected to generate critical discussions and forward-looking recommendations that respond to Zimbabwe’s unique economic context while keeping pace with global trends.