Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
Herald Reporter
Government has called for greater support for women-led businesses to help them move from the informal economy into the mainstream and contribute more significantly to Zimbabwe’s economic growth.
Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Kiven Mutimbanyoka, speaking at the Zimbabwe Unrecognised Women in Business (ZUWIB) Masterclass in Borrowdale on Friday, said women entrepreneurs needed improved access to finance, markets, technology, mentorship and procurement opportunities.
The masterclass was held under the theme: “From the Margins to the Mainstream – Building Visible, Viable Women-Led Enterprise in Zimbabwe.”
He said Government was working to create an enabling environment for women to establish sustainable businesses and expand their contribution to the economy.
“Moving from the margins to the mainstream is therefore about opening the doors to finance, markets, technology, mentorship, procurement opportunities, information and strategic partnerships,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said the Ministry was facilitating access to finance and business support through institutions such as the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank and SMEDCO, while also strengthening financial literacy and business management skills.
He called on financial institutions and corporates to open their procurement systems and markets to women-owned businesses.
He also urged women entrepreneurs to form cooperatives, business associations and joint ventures to strengthen their bargaining power and access to opportunities.
“Your network is not merely a collection of contacts, it is a reservoir of opportunity,” he said.
ZUWIB chief executive officer, Ms Primrose January, urged women in business, particularly startups, not to give up but to remain resilient and continue contributing to the growth of the economy.
“At Zimbabwe Unrecognised Women and Men in Business, we believe that no business just as Vision 2030 should be left behind,” she said.
“Unrecognised is not an attack but it is a call to action. It is to call upon those silent entrepreneurs who are doing amazing for our economy to bring them to the limelight.
So that’s what we do and we’ve got our programmes, which is the awards. We do them every second year to celebrate and empower those women and men who are doing amazing in their different fields of business.”
