AVExpo Positions Zimbabwe as Hub for Media and Creative Industries
The AVExpo has emerged as a uniting platform for the media and creative sector, with indications that future editions will achieve even greater success. The event brings together industry players, policymakers, and technology providers to showcase advancements in audio visual equipment and broadcast solutions.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Omphile Marupi, guest of honour at the recent AVExpo, highlighted the broader impact of audio visual industries. He noted that these industries go beyond sound transmission, enabling storytelling, cultural connection, and amplifying diverse voices. “Advances in audio visual technologies have revolutionised education, entertainment, and engagement in ways unimaginable just a few years ago. We are witnessing a surge in streaming platforms and on-demand content,” Marupi said.
Napoleon Nyanhi, director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, described the country as strategically positioned to host multiple festivals in the future. He hailed the AVExpo as a starting point for growth in Zimbabwe’s arts and broadcasting sectors and praised Marupi for improving conditions in the industry through his experience as a broadcaster and now a political leader.
Founder of the AVExpo and director of Audio Academy, Mbaki Nleya, said the event was designed to bring together consumers, manufacturers, and distributors of sound and broadcast equipment, creating harmony among stakeholders and policymakers. Nleya emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer through hands-on training for youth, which he said improves the quality of events and productions across the country.
Nleya noted gaps in the industry, including limited access to equipment due to high costs, and called for price standardisation to make technology more accessible. He also encouraged wider participation from local and regional manufacturers and distributors in future events.
The AVExpo concluded with an awards ceremony recognising outstanding audio visual companies. Exhibitors included European companies such as LAWO and Riedel from Germany, Prosound from South Africa, and AxelTech from Italy, alongside local institutions like Lupane State University, Sound Stage Africa, and Crossline. LAWO representatives highlighted their expertise in radio and television systems used in major events such as the Olympic Games and the World Cup.
Exhibitors and award winners praised the AVExpo for improving access to modern audio visual systems in Zimbabwe. Nleya encouraged sponsors to provide equipment for future award winners to further strengthen the industry. The AVExpo is shaping up as a key platform for the development of Zimbabwe’s media and creative sectors.
