Online Reporter
Business Reporter
Zimbabwe Women in Manufacturing, a new lobby group dedicated to advancing the participation of women in the manufacturing sector, will be officially launched tomorrow, marking another step towards strengthening industrialisation, value addition and inclusive economic growth.
ZWIM will be launched under the theme, “Empowering Women Through Manufacturing, Industrialisation and Value Addition”.
The platform seeks to bring together women entrepreneurs, industrialists, policymakers and development partners to enhance women’s participation across manufacturing value chains while contributing to the country’s industrial transformation agenda.
Manufacturing has re-emerged as the primary driver of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing approximately 15.3 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. This resurgence positions the sector as the largest economic contributor, surpassing mining, agriculture and wholesaling.
The launch of ZWIM comes at a time when Zimbabwe is intensifying efforts to promote value addition, beneficiation and import substitution as key pillars of economic development.
The event is expected to attract leading industrialists, senior Government officials, development partners, diplomatic representatives and private sector executives, reflecting growing recognition of the role women can play in driving industrial growth and job creation.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, will be the guest of honour.
The establishment of a dedicated women-in-manufacturing platform could help address some of the challenges that continue to limit women’s participation in the sector, including limited access to finance, technology, markets and industrial infrastructure.
Manufacturing remains one of the critical sectors for economic growth due to its strong linkages with agriculture, mining and services, as well as its capacity to generate employment and export earnings.
ZWIM’s formation is also expected to complement Government initiatives aimed at increasing women’s involvement in productive sectors of the economy and accelerating the transition of women-led enterprises from informal operations into formal industrial businesses.
Organisers say the launch will provide an opportunity for strategic dialogue on manufacturing growth, industrial competitiveness and collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders.
The gathering will facilitate networking between women manufacturers and key decision-makers from Government, industry and development institutions, potentially opening new opportunities for investment partnerships and market access.
Discussions will explore ways to increase women’s participation in value-added production, improve access to industrial financing and strengthen local manufacturing capacity to support Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation objectives.
The initiative comes as Zimbabwe continues to pursue policies aimed at expanding domestic production, reducing reliance on imports and boosting exports through value addition and industrial development.
Empowering more women to participate in manufacturing could unlock new sources of innovation, entrepreneurship and productivity, while broadening the country’s industrial base and supporting sustainable economic growth.
The launch is being positioned as the beginning of a long-term effort to build a strong network of women manufacturers capable of contributing meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s industrial ecosystem and national development agenda.
