Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Reporter
YOUNG people must look beyond seeking employment abroad, but instead focus on creating business opportunities within the country, a leading businessman has said.
Speaking at an Entrepreneurship Masterclass in Harare on Saturday, Sharpe Business Academy chairman Mr Kenneth Sharpe said the training drew 201 participants from the private and public sectors.
The session, held under the theme, “Building vision-driven and scalable enterprises”, aimed to equip young entrepreneurs with the mindset and skills needed to build sustainable businesses.
Mr Sharpe commended the involvement of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, noting that Government support would help bridge the gap between policy and practice, transforming the academy into a hub for skilled entrepreneurs who can drive national economic development.
“As an entrepreneur, be proud of your country, Zimbabwe. It is peaceful and conducive for job creation and a better market,” said Mr Sharpe.
The academy was redefining how entrepreneurs were developed.
“As Africa’s economies continue to evolve, a new generation of institutions is emerging to address one of the continent’s biggest challenges: translating entrepreneurial potential into scalable, sustainable businesses,” said Mr Sharpe.
He emphasised the importance of both short-term and long-term vision, urging students to stay focused on execution.
Sharpe Business Academy CEO Dr Rutendo Mudzamiri said the academy had to date facilitated over US$62 000 in seed capital.
She said the funding is intended to help entrepreneurs move beyond ideas and into implementation; an area where many early-stage businesses in emerging markets struggle.
“We are not building students; we are building executors. Africa does not lack ideas. What we need are more leaders who can translate vision into action, and action into scalable enterprises,” Dr Mudzamiri said.
The SBA’s model combined education, mentorship and early-stage funding into one system, enabling entrepreneurs to gain practical, industry-relevant skills they can apply immediately.
“By combining education, mentorship and funding into a single ecosystem, the SBA is positioning itself as a blueprint for how entrepreneurship development can be delivered at scale,” added Dr Mudzamiri.
Founded in 2024, the SBA has trained and graduated more than 150 entrepreneurs and professionals, many of whom are actively building ventures in key sectors of the country’s economy.
Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce Dr Thomas Utete Ushe said Government placed hope in stronger partnerships between the private sector, academia and industry to drive growth.
“Zimbabwe’s development agenda will be accelerated only through stronger collaboration between Government, the private sector and academia,” he said.
“The triple helix model linking industry, universities and Government is a powerful framework for unlocking sustainable growth and job creation,” said Dr Utete Ushe.
The Government was engaging Sharpe Business Academy to strengthen entrepreneurship development through internships, targeted skills training and closer alignment of policy with the real needs of businesses.
“This initiative seeks to ensure academic institutions take a more active role in shaping industry, while Government policies are informed by practical experiences from the market,” said Dr Utete Ushe.
A number of students demonstrated their understanding of the lectures during the question-and-answer session.
