Online Reporter
Kudzanai Sharara in Algiers, Algeria
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from various sectors of the economy are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to grow their earnings and, in turn, their businesses.
While small enterprises are often associated with informalisation and, in some cases, sub-standard products, some have taken a leap of faith. They have not only formalised their businesses but have also looked beyond Zimbabwe’s borders for that breakthrough.
With the help of the country’s trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, a significant number of small enterprises have travelled across the continent and beyond to meet potential buyers and investors.
A recent example is the gruelling journey to Algiers, Algeria, which took some small-scale enterprises and entrepreneurs on a 28-hour trip to reach one of the continent’s biggest trade fairs, the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
Dubbed the “Gateway to New Opportunities,” the trade fair attracts an estimated 35,000 visitors and more than 2,000 exhibitors from African countries and beyond.
Backed by Afreximbank and other sponsors, the IATF is a major drawcard. The organisers have called it the ultimate marketplace for African businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Based on previous years, where the first three editions generated more than $120 billion worth of deals, this year’s event is expected to beat the previous record and generate as much as $44 billion worth of deals.
It is this showcase that small Zimbabwean enterprises are targeting for their breakthrough.
One such small enterprise is Viridi Solutions, founded by Collin Moyo. The company manufactures vegetable-based lubricants and aims to take these products across Africa and beyond.
Mr Moyo has travelled with ZimTrade to other trade fairs but is not tiring yet and is here in Algiers to look for that breakthrough.
“This trade fair presents an opportunity for us to meet different buyers of our products and potential suppliers of our raw materials from around the African continent,” he said.
“So for us, it is an opportunity that we have fully embraced and are utilising to meet players that we would not meet in our country,” said Mr Moyo, adding that the response has been overwhelming and that it has been “very exciting to engage.”
Viridi Solutions sources its raw materials from extractors in the country, but Mr Moyo said the long-term plan is to engage women and youth through out-grower schemes for castor bean oil and soya bean oil.
Another small enterprise, Gallery Ibasa, which is into stone sculpture, is also here showcasing its products.
Founded by Tendai Madzura, Gallery Ibasa is based in Mashava but looks to broaden its market across the continent.
Mr Madzura said coming to the IATF was simply motivated by the need to follow where the customers are.
“Customers were not coming to us, so we have to present ourselves to the market, as you can see from what we have on display,” he said.
Mr Madzura said the short-term plan is to expand into Algeria and Dubai.
A popular artist and her colleagues from the National Handicraft Centre of Zimbabwe are also part of the Zimbabwean delegation exhibiting here.
Ms Ndebele said her organisation had brought handicrafts from villages as far away as Binga and Buhera, among others.
“Basically, what we are pushing are different handcrafted products from various parts of Zimbabwe, such as basketry, wirework, and products made from different kinds of wood,” she said.
Ms Ndebele thanked ZimTrade for facilitating her organisation’s participation at the fair.
“Without ZimTrade, we wouldn’t know that there are such platforms to promote Zimbabwean products,” she said.
Shepherd S. Mafundikwa, Chief Executive Officer at Mosi Oa Tunya Cigars, also brought his cigars, which are proving popular with visitors and potential distributors.
Mr Mafundikwa said the IATF is an excellent platform for his organisation as it allows for the introduction of the brand to the world.
“We value the engagements that we get from such platforms. The response has been amazing,” he said.
Mr Mafundikwa said that coming to platforms such as the IATF and others facilitated by ZimTrade over the years has been “very rewarding,” with the exposure bringing in more customers.
