The dramatic departure of Robert Mugabe after 37 years of authoritarian rule.
The former vice-president's dismissal earlier this month led the ruling Zanu-PF party and the army to intervene and force Mr Mugabe to quit.
Mr Mnangagwa, who had fled the
country, returned from exile on Wednesday.
The opposition is urging Mr Mnangagwa, who has been part of the ruling elite, to end the "culture of corruption".
How will the inauguration unfold?
The ceremony will be at the National Sports Stadium and organisers have called on Zimbabweans to come and witness a "historic day".After Mr Mnangagwa and his wife Mai enter and the national anthem is played, Bishop Mutendi will lead the stadium in prayer.
Mr Mnangagwa will take his oath of office at about 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT), before a flypast and a gun salute. The new president will speak at about noon local time.
Will Mr Mugabe be there?
He is not expected to attend Mr Mnangagwa's inauguration, the BBC's Andrew Harding reports.The official explanation for the former president's absence is that the 93-year-old needs to rest.
But the fact he is not attending is a stark reminder that this is no ordinary transition, our correspondent adds, that despite his official resignation he was forced out by the military.
On Thursday, several reports suggested Mr Mugabe had been granted immunity from prosecution.
Local media are reporting that Mr Mnangagwa has offered the Mugabe family "maximum security and welfare".
The former president "expressed his good wishes and support for the incoming president," the Herald newspaper reports.
How did Zimbabwe get to this point?
The news on Tuesday that 93-year-old Mr Mugabe was stepping down sparked wild celebrations across the country.It came in the form of a letter read out in parliament, abruptly halting impeachment proceedings against him.
In it, Mr Mugabe said he was resigning to allow a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, and that his decision was voluntary.
Neither Mr Mugabe nor his wife Grace have been seen in public since Sunday, and their whereabouts are unknown.
Ahead of the swearing-in, Mr Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to "remain patient and peaceful and desist from any form of vengeful retribution".
He fled to South Africa two weeks ago - only to return home on Wednesday to a hero's welcome.
(BBC.com)
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