Presidential Programme 4 Professionals to champion innovation drive at key national convention

THE Presidential Programme 4 Professionals (PP4P) says deliberations at its upcoming Annual Stakeholder Convention in Harare next week will largely be centred on technology, innovation and human capital development.

The high-profile event, where Vice President Kembo Mohadi is expected to be the guest of honour, will be held on April 29 at the Heritage Village.

PP4P is an initiative formed to establish a network of professionals collaborating with the President to tackle national socio-economic challenges, foster innovation, and advance sustainable development in sync with the Vision 2030.

The initiative also aims to promote professional excellence and teamwork among senior Government officials and industry experts.

Institutions of higher learning, industry players and policymakers are converging in a bid to strengthen linkages between research outputs and practical economic solutions that support national development priorities.

In a statement, PP4P secretary for communication and stakeholder management, Mr Mirirai Mambo, said: “Harare will come alive with ideas and invention at the upcoming Annual Stakeholder Convention on 29 April 2026 at the Heritage Village, with a strong focus on technology, innovation and human capital development.

“The convention is expected to bring together institutions of higher learning, industry players and policymakers in a bid to strengthen linkages between research outputs and practical economic solutions that support national development priorities.”

Key speakers at the convention include National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Professor Paul Mavima who is also PP4P patron — Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona — Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, and Information Communication Technology, Postal, and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera.

Central to the programme, Mr Mambo said, is the recognition of universities, polytechnics and colleges as key engines of innovation and skills development — and thus institutions should take a leading role in shaping Zimbabwe’s innovation agenda.

As preparations intensify ahead of the convention, institutions of higher learning have been urged to present scalable innovations capable of supporting economic activity, industrial growth and enterprise development.

The convention is expected to reaffirm the central role of innovation and technology in driving Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, while positioning universities and colleges as critical partners in building a knowledge-driven economy anchored on research, skills development and entrepreneurship.

PP4P national chairman Mr Kudzai Ngirazi was quoted as saying higher and tertiary education institutions are no longer confined to training professionals, but are increasingly becoming critical centres for research, invention and problem-solving.

“Institutions of higher learning play a pivotal role in research, innovation, and the development of human capital.

“Through their innovation hubs and research centres, universities and colleges continue to deepen our capacity to solve practical problems and build the skills needed for national progress.”

Mr Ngirazi said the forthcoming annual stakeholder convention provides a strategic platform for tertiary institutions to showcase innovations emerging from their research ecosystems, innovation hubs and student-led initiatives.

“We extend a special invitation to the universities, polytechnics, and colleges to participate and showcase innovations emerging from their innovation hubs, research centres, and student-led initiatives.”

A key feature of the convention will be an exhibition designed to highlight home-grown technologies and solutions addressing challenges faced by industry and business.

The exhibition will also provide a critical bridge between academia and the productive sectors of the economy, enabling innovation to move beyond theory into practical application and commercialisation.