Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
ALL is set for the Bulawayo inaugural Women Investment Conference, which kicks off on Wednesday.
Hosted by the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, in partnership with Bulawayo City Council, the three-day conference will be held from September 3 to 5, 2025 at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC).
The event is meant to promote economic independence and leadership among women and will be headlined by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, as the Guest of Honour.
It will run under the theme: “She Leads, Zimbabwe Grows: The Future is Female” as a high-level forum for women shaping industries, policy and investment.
In a previous press conference, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said the conference will serve as a pivotal platform for promoting economic independence and leadership among women in Bulawayo and beyond, especially recognising the systemic barriers faced by women as they venture into business.
“I am excited to advise you that the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, in collaboration with the City of Bulawayo, will host the inaugural three-day Bulawayo Women Investment Conference 2025,” said Minister Ncube.
“Through this conference, we aspire to empower women by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to navigate the investment landscape, thereby contributing to the overall economic development of Bulawayo and abroad.
“As we work towards the attainment of an upper middle class income economy status – Vision 2030, investing in women’s economic potential is essential for sustainable, inclusive growth, and this conference marks a critical step in building a future where women are equal drivers of our nation’s prosperity.”
According to the organisers, the initiative is aligned with global commitments to women’s empowerment, notably the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
While engagements, such as the 27th Arab-African Investment and International Cooperation (AAIIC) Summit held in Aswan, Egypt, from November 11 to 15, 2024, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in fostering economic ties that benefit women.
“The Summit, organized by the Arab Women Investors Union, underscored the critical role of women in development, emphasizing investment opportunities across various sectors, including health, tourism, and sustainable development. The insights gained from this summit inform the BWIC conference, as we seek to create a conducive environment for women to thrive in business and leadership roles,” read part of the update from the organisers.
“Additionally, the conference will draw on principles from international mandates such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which advocates for women’s participation in all spheres of life. By fostering networking opportunities, sharing success stories, and providing essential resources, the Bulawayo Women Investment Conference aims to create a supportive community that propels women towards achieving their personal and professional goals.”
They said the conference was specifically targeted at women because of key benefits of empowered women in an economy.
These include economic growth as empowered women contribute significantly to economic development by participating in the workforce, starting businesses, and driving innovation.
The organisers also said there was increased productivity, as when women have equal access to education and resources, productivity levels rise, benefiting entire industries and sectors.
On other benefits, they added: “On diverse perspectives, women bring unique viewpoints and solutions to business challenges, fostering creativity and innovation. On improved financial stability, empowering women leads to better financial management within households, resulting in increased savings and investment.”
The organisers said on job creation, women entrepreneurs were vital for job creation, helping to reduce unemployment rates and stimulate local economies, while on health and education improvements, empowered women were more likely to invest in their families’ health and education, leading to healthier communities and better future generations.
The organisers said other benefits were reduction of poverty, social equity, sustainable development and resilience in crises.
“Overall, the empowerment of women is crucial for building robust and sustainable economies.”
