HARARE, (New Ziana) — Bindura University of Science Education(BUSE) is expanding efforts to promote rural industrialisation in Mashonaland Central Province through agro-processing, technology development and local manufacturing, Vice Chancellor Professor Eddie Mwenje said.
Prof. Mwenje said the university was developing community-based enterprises, digital technologies and manufacturing projects aimed at turning local resources and research into commercial products and jobs.
He spoke on the sidelines of the 2026 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare, which is running from August 24-29 under the theme “Powering Growth: Where Agriculture, Technology and Commerce Converge.”
The initiatives are part of a broader push by Zimbabwe to strengthen domestic production, add value to agricultural commodities and create rural industries rather than relying heavily on imported finished goods.
BUSE’s Masawu project in Muzarabani, in Mashonaland Central, processes the fruit into products including juice and soap. Community members supply the raw material, while the project provides training and seeks to expand economic opportunities for women, Mwenje said.
The university’s approach reflects Zimbabwe’s industrialisation strategy, which identifies agro-processing and value addition as key to strengthening links between agriculture and manufacturing. Government policy has also promoted rural industries as a way to create jobs, develop local value chains and spread economic activity beyond major urban centres.
BUSE’s innovation hub is developing projects in software, food and natural products, as well as climate-related applications. Mwenje said the university was working with Chinese partners on drone technology for agricultural applications, including crop spraying and other farm operations, with plans to assemble drones locally.
The university also assembles Palpo-branded tablets, laptops and smartphones through its technology programmes. BUSE recently said the devices incorporate its Titus multilingual artificial intelligence application and are being developed for educational use.
Another BUSE innovation, the Chiringa monitoring and evaluation dashboard, allows government officials to track projects in real time. The university says the system has already been adopted by government.
Prof Mwenje said government support and funding from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund had helped the university expand its infrastructure and innovation programmes.
The university’s industrialisation drive comes as the government promotes its Education 5.0 model, which links teaching and research with innovation, industrialisation and community development. BUSE has established an innovation hub and industrial park to support the development and commercialisation of locally developed products.
For the initiatives to move beyond pilot projects, the university will need sustained financing, access to markets, regulatory approvals for drone operations and reliable links between researchers, producers and consumers.
The university says it will continue working with government ministries, development partners and rural communities to expand its industrialisation programmes.
