Buy Zimbabwe will host the 2026 edition of Buy Zimbabwe Week from 23 to 28 November 2026 under the theme “Buy Original Zimbabwean, No Counterfeit, No Smuggling”.
The event will focus on raising awareness and mobilising collective action against the proliferation of counterfeit products and continued smuggling, which threaten the growth and sustainability of local industries.
The national initiative, championed by Buy Zimbabwe, seeks to promote the consumption of locally manufactured products and services while encouraging consumers, businesses and policymakers to confront practices that undermine legitimate businesses, compromise consumer safety, distort competition and weaken the domestic productive sector.
The 2026 edition comes at a time when counterfeit goods and smuggled products continue to pose significant challenges to local manufacturers and legitimate traders.
Buy Zimbabwe Chairman, Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, said the campaign seeks to move the fight against counterfeiting and smuggling beyond awareness-raising towards practical action.
“Counterfeit products and smuggled goods undermine the efforts of local manufacturers, threaten jobs and expose consumers to products whose quality and safety may not be guaranteed. Buy Zimbabwe Week provides an important platform for bringing together consumers, businesses, policymakers and enforcement agencies to confront these challenges,” said Mr Hwengwere.
He added that supporting locally manufactured products was an important part of protecting Zimbabwe’s productive capacity, noting that consumer purchasing decisions had a direct impact on the survival and growth of domestic industries.
“Supporting locally manufactured products is fundamental to protecting Zimbabwe’s productive capacity. Every purchasing decision made by consumers has a direct impact on the growth and survival of local industries, the sustainability of businesses and the preservation of jobs.
“By choosing Zimbabwean-made products, we are not only supporting local manufacturers but also contributing to national economic development and building a stronger domestic economy,” added Mr Hwengwere.
Economist Dr Persistence Gwanyanya said promoting locally produced goods and services was essential to strengthening domestic economic activity and building a more sustainable economy.
“When consumers prioritise locally produced goods and services, they help create demand for domestic production, support businesses and sustain employment across different sectors of the economy.
“Increased demand encourages manufacturers to expand production, invest in capacity and strengthen local value chains. This contributes to economic growth, import substitution and the retention of more economic value within the country,” said Dr Gwanyanya.
Buy Zimbabwe Week will feature three days of roadshows and two days of activations at local wholesale and retail outlets, providing opportunities for direct consumer engagement, product awareness and education on how to identify genuine products.
The activities will also provide a platform for local manufacturers and businesses to showcase their products, interact with consumers and strengthen their market visibility.