Background
ZImbabwe like most African countries’ economic transformation relies heavily on bold innovation, robust industrialization and resilient value chains. Governments across the continent are intensifying efforts to build competitive local industries, attract investment and empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These efforts align with global shifts toward sustainable development, digital transformation and inclusive trade anchored on standardization.
However, achieving these goals requires deliberate collaboration between public institutions, standards bodies, private sector leaders, MSMEs, innovators, and development partners.
The Standardisation and Business Leaders Conference 2026, to be held in Victoria Falls at Elephant Hills -under the theme “Innovate, Collaborate and Transform: Shaping the Future Together for Easier, Safer and Better Lives.”, will convene key stakeholders to reflect on current progress, share practical insights, and forge strong partnerships that address national and regional challenges—including the fight against counterfeits, support for local manufacturing, strengthen value chains and creating enabling environments for MSMEs and larger corporates to thrive. This conference aims to bridge the gap amongst standardization experts, policy makers and business leaders to inspire standards based transformative solutions.

Objectives
• Foster collaboration between standards bodies, industries, entrepreneurs and regulators
• Promote innovative ecosystems, digital readiness, and sustainable business practices aligned with national development goals.
• Strengthen collaborative approaches to combat emerging challenges such as counterfeit and substandard goods, that undermine economic growth and public safety.
• Showcase success stories.

Conference Structure
The conference is a two-and-a-half-day event with the official opening ceremony by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu being the guest of honor. In addition, there will be high- level plenary and thematic sessions including a workshop on referencing of standards by policy makers.
This will offer a platform to engage with policymakers, regulators and technological innovators to form value-creating partnerships whilst contributing to shaping business-enabling policies and regulatory frameworks.

Strategic Importance
This conference directly supports the role standards play in national and continental priorities such as:
• African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation
• Regional Integration
• National Industrialization Policies
• SME Development Strategies
• Anti-Counterfeit Action Plans
• Innovation and Digital Economy Agendas

Expected Delegates
• CEOs and Business Executives
• Government and Regulatory Authorities
• Standards Bodies and Technical Committees
• Standards Users.
• Innovators, Startups, and Entrepreneurs
• International Organizations (ISO, IEC, ITU, WTO, etc.)
• Academia and Researchers
• NGOs
• Development Partners and Donors
• Diplomatic Community