Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo-Zimpapers Business Hub
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa will preside over the inaugural three-day Bulawayo Women Investment Conference next month, aimed at promoting economic independence and leadership among women.
The event, hosted by the Office of the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution in partnership with the Bulawayo City Council, will take place from September 3 to 5.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said the conference will provide a pivotal platform for empowering women, particularly by addressing systemic barriers they face in 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,” she said.
“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 beyond.”
Minister Ncube emphasised that investing in women is crucial for sustainable and inclusive growth in line with Vision 2030.
“As we work towards achieving upper-middle-class income status by 2030, investing in women’s economic potential is essential. This conference marks a critical step in building a future where women are equal drivers of our nation’s prosperity,” she said.
Minister Ncube urged women to attend in numbers, highlighting that there will be sessions on investment strategies, financial literacy, leadership and access to mentors and funding.
She said the event will emphasise diversity in investment practices and leadership roles, while connecting participants with resources tailored for women.
The idea for the conference stemmed from international engagements, including the Egyptian Programme the office has participated in for the past three years. Minister Ncube said lessons from these experiences, including the 27th Arab-African Investment and International Cooperation Summit in Aswan, Egypt, informed the conference’s design.
The summit highlighted the importance of international cooperation in fostering economic ties that benefit women, emphasising opportunities across sectors such as health, tourism and sustainable development.
Aligned with global mandates, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the conference seeks to create a supportive community that propels women towards achieving personal and professional goals.
“We also engaged with different women who are into different businesses and in different levels. We strongly believe we can do it as Bulawayo and as people from Zimbabwe, hence we are going to gather from the 3rd to the 5th of September to discuss all those issues,” said Minister Ncube.
“We are so proud that within the city we have a number of women who are businesspeople, of course, we have some coming out of Bulawayo doing their business here.”
“The insights gained from this summit inform the Bulawayo Women Investment Conference, as we seek to create a conducive environment for women to thrive in business and leadership roles.
“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,” reads the concept note.
“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.”
Government-led empowerment initiatives, in collaboration with development partners, have improved livelihoods, reduced poverty, created employment and helped transform women’s economic participation, contributing towards the country’s goal of becoming an upper middle-income economy.
