The design and development of learning institutions furniture and other equipment play a critical role in fostering an optimal learning environment by addressing the ergonomic, functional, and educational needs of students. Moreso, the practical ability of import substitution industrialization at schools, universities, colleges, growth points, and resettlement areas are the ways to go in reviving the economy of Zimbabwe as a middle-income country. This is only achieved by incubating every mechanical workshop found in those areas, be it a basic workshop, by manufacturing basic school furniture. The collaboration between an incubation of those startup companies and education can lead to more products being achieved at a lower cost there by eliminating importation from main cities and towns and by increasingly perceived vehicles to enhance innovation and business incubation through knowledge and technology exchange by enabling education 5.0 at all centres, colleges, and universities. This research explores a student and staff participatory approach involving learning institutions’ workshops to design and develop innovative, sustainable furniture. This research work was experimental, which included collaborative brainstorming sessions, prototyping, and feedback loops conducted in a learning institutional setting to evaluate the practicality and functionality of various designs. The participatory workshop approach serves as a model for future initiatives in educational product design and manufacture. Import substitution industrialization, particularly at universities, colleges, growth points, and resettlement areas, offers a promising pathway to elevate Zimbabwe's economic status. By incubating mechanical workshops and fostering collaborations between startups and educational institutions, we can stimulate local manufacturing of essential goods like school furniture. This approach not only reduces reliance on imports but also promotes innovation, technology transfer, and the adoption of Industry 5.0 principles, ultimately contributing to a more self-sufficient and prosperous Zimbabwe.