Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Government has recorded significant progress under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), with women’s empowerment and small enterprise development emerging as key drivers of inclusive economic growth as President Mnangagwa continues to walk the talk of leaving no one behind in the country’s development agenda.
Women, who make up 52 percent of the population, are increasingly playing a central role across various sectors, as the Second Republic intensifies efforts to ensure broad-based participation in the economy.
Through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the Government has rolled out wide-ranging programmes aimed at strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including capacity-building initiatives. Since the inception of the Second Republic, more than 137 900 MSMEs have been trained in technical and business management skills across the country’s 10 provinces, alongside start-up development programmes designed to nurture entrepreneurship.
To support enterprise growth, the Government is also investing in infrastructure, with workspaces under development in Gwanda, Chivhu and Gweru.
In addition, the refurbishment of the Bulawayo SMEs Centre was undertaken through partnerships involving the International Labour Organisation, Old Mutual, the Chamber of SMEs, Bulawayo City Council, National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and National Social Security Authority (Nssa).
In Matabeleland South, a standout project under the programme is the Mopane Worms Vegetable Processing Plant in Beitbridge District, established with Government support to promote value addition and improve livelihoods. The plant processes over 1 000kg of amacimbi, supplying local and regional markets. The plant, which was operationalised in 2020, has significantly boosted food security and income generation for women and communities.
In an interview, on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo, Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa hailed President Mnangagwa’s inclusive development agenda, saying the country had surpassed several NDS1 targets.
She said the Government, through her ministry, had surpassed several targets under National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and laid a solid foundation for the next development phase leading to Vision 2030. “The Ministry recorded significant achievements under NDS1, anchored on inclusive economic empowerment, MSME growth, gender equality and community development,” she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said under the MSME development, enterprise growth was strengthened through wide-ranging capacity development programmes.
“We equipped entrepreneurs with business, technical and financial skills. This was complemented by expanded market access, with SMEs participating in local and international trade fairs and expos,” she said. Minister Mutsvangwa said there were also major infrastructure milestones.
“Key facilities such as the Gwanda Traders Market, Mutapa Workspace in Gweru, Chiredzi SMEs Centre and the Bulawayo SMEs Centre have been completed,” she said.
The minister said the Chirundu Traders Market and Chikomba Factory Shells are set to be finalised and operationalised under NDS2.
On access to finance, Minister Mutsvangwa said private financial institutions had been brought on board to extend more credit to the MSMEs sector.
“SMEDCO, the Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank, and Ministry-led funds such as the Women Development Fund and Community Development Fund played a key role in improving inclusion for SMEs, women and communities,” she said.
Turning to women’s empowerment, Minister Mutsvangwa said her Ministry had translated NDS1 priorities into concrete action by expanding access to productive resources and finance.
“This included the establishment of value addition centres and safe markets such as Hauna Fruits and Vegetable Processing Plant, Bulawayo Makers Space, Epworth Safe Market and Chesvingo Safe Market to enhance women’s participation,” she said.
Furthermore, she said her Ministry scaled up cluster and cooperative models.
“These are being scaled up to enable women-led enterprises to pool resources, achieve economies of scale and move into higher-value economic activities,” she said.
“Notably, flagship facilities such as the Hauna Value Addition Centre and the Bulawayo Makerspace will be commissioned and expanded under NDS2.”
On community empowerment, Minister Mutsvangwa said nearly 500 000 people have been trained in entrepreneurship and skills development, targeting women, the elderly, widows, youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Minister Mutsvangwa said through the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund, more than 900 community-driven projects were financed, benefiting more than 15 000 community members, both male and female.
“We conducted 278 family and community dialogues in 2025, reaching over 3 000 participants,” she said.
In addition, the minister revealed that 1 464 Internal Savings and Lending Schemes (ISALs) were established across all provinces, promoting financial inclusion and community-based support systems.
Minister Mutsvangwa said policy reforms have also strengthened gender equality, including the revision of the National Gender Policy, implementation of the Gender-Based Violence Strategy (2021–2030) and the establishment of the Mpilo Central Hospital’s One Stop Centre in 2024.
Minister Mutsvangwa also highlighted the launch of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 Action Plan.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, we successfully launched the Women, Peace and Security Action Plan in 2024,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government will build on these gains under NDS2 by focusing on value chains, industrialisation, market linkages and financial inclusion.
“We will focus on value chain development, industrialisation, market linkages, and completion of infrastructure projects, while scaling up financial inclusion, digital systems, community resilience, and decentralised service delivery,” she said.
“Overall, the NDS2 pipeline builds on a strong NDS1 foundation to accelerate inclusive growth, resilience and sustainability towards Vision 2030. No one and no place will be left behind.”
