Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
WOMEN artisanal and small-scale miners say the 2026 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, held in Bulawayo from April 20-26, marked a turning point, after the Innovation Symposium exposed them to cutting-edge mining technologies.
The women miners said the technologies could significantly boost productivity, improve safety and unlock greater participation in the sector.
Linked to that, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training’s pledge of a US$1 million support package is being viewed by young female miners as a transformative intervention that could unlock long-standing funding constraints and drive their inclusion.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, the Government launched a US$1 million Youth Economic Fund aimed at accelerating youth-led enterprise growth and widening financial inclusion, in a move officials say will help unlock innovation and job creation across Zimbabwe.
The fund was officially unveiled during the Youth in Business Forum 2026, held under the theme: “Youth Financial Inclusion — Closing gaps in connected economies.”
The forum brought together policymakers, financiers, and young entrepreneurs to explore practical solutions for expanding youth participation in the economy.
Authorities say the initiative will be administered through EmpowerBank and is designed to improve access to affordable financing for youth-led enterprises across all provinces.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire, said the fund represents a shift from policy discussion to tangible support for young people.
“This US$1 million Youth Economic Fund is not just about money; it is about unlocking the potential of our young people and ensuring they become active drivers of economic transformation,” he said.
He added that the Government remains committed to ensuring youth businesses are integrated into national development programmes aligned with Vision 2030.
“Through EmpowerBank, we are creating opportunities for youth in all provinces to start, expand and sustain businesses that contribute meaningfully to national development and the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
The Youth Economic Fund is expected to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and business expansion across multiple sectors, with authorities emphasising its role in positioning young people at the centre of economic transformation and sustainable development.
Despite mining being a key economic pillar in provinces such as Matabeleland North and South, many young women remain on the margins, often confined to low-value activities or entirely excluded from participating meaningfully in the industry.
Stakeholders in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector say entrenched gender norms and structural barriers are limiting women’s full participation, even as the country pushes for increased mineral output and inclusive economic growth.
In interviews at the 66th exhibition, players in the sector noted that access to mining claims remains one of the biggest hurdles for young women.
Miss Nombeko Ncube from Bubi said the lack of financial support further compounds the problem.
“Access to finance is a major challenge. Financial institutions require collateral, which many of us do not have,” she said.
“As a result, we cannot invest in proper equipment or scale up our operations.”
She noted that most young women rely on informal funding sources, which are often unreliable and insufficient to sustain mining ventures.
Miss Ncube said the US$1 million pledge announced during the youth engagement at ZITF had injected new hope among young female miners.
“Funding has always been our biggest setback, so hearing about the US$1 million support package gives us hope that things can finally change,” she said.
“If it is implemented properly and reaches women on the ground, it can help us access equipment and grow our operations.”
Beyond financial constraints, limited access to training and technical skills is also hindering women’s advancement in the sector.
Mrs Anna Maininga from Gwanda said training opportunities are often not structured to accommodate young women.
“Many workshops and training sessions are not designed with young women in mind. Sometimes they are held in places or at times that are not convenient for us,” she said.
“We need targeted programmes that deliberately include women.”
Mr Siphiwe Dube, a community development practitioner working with mining groups in Hwange, said empowering women with skills in geology, safety standards and mineral processing would significantly improve their participation and productivity.
Another critical issue raised by stakeholders is the exclusion of young women from decision-making spaces within the mining sector.
Ms Dube said women are rarely represented in committees or associations that influence mining policies at the community level.
“Decisions are made without us, yet they affect us directly,” she said. “We need a seat at the table, not to be spectators.”
Gender norms and cultural expectations also continue to play a significant role in limiting women’s participation.
“In some communities, mining is still seen as a man’s job,” she added.
“Young women are discouraged from joining the sector, and those who do often face stigma,” said Ms Dube.
She said such attitudes not only undermine women’s confidence but also restrict their opportunities for growth and leadership.
However, Mrs Maininga added that addressing these challenges requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, financial institutions, civil society and mining associations.
“We need policies that promote equal access to resources, funding tailored for women, and deliberate inclusion in training and leadership structures,” she said.
The Government has, in recent years, acknowledged the need for inclusivity in the mining sector, particularly within the ASM segment, which employs a significant portion of the population.
However, stakeholders argue that more targeted interventions are needed to ensure young women are not left behind.
“Women have the potential to contribute significantly to the mining sector, but they need support,” said Ms Ncube.
“If we remove these barriers, we will see more productivity and stronger communities.”
As Zimbabwe continues to harness its mineral wealth, ensuring that young women in mining host communities are fully included could prove critical not only for gender equality but also for sustainable community development in the Matabeleland region and beyond.
Artisanal and small-scale women miners who attended ZITF said the Innovation Symposium and technology-driven exhibition stands provided critical exposure to modern mining solutions that could help improve efficiency and safety in their operations.
The women said moving around the exhibition park and visiting technology-inclined stands allowed them to interact with modern equipment, mineral processing systems and safer, environmentally friendly mining methods, giving them practical insight into how innovation can transform small-scale mining.
Ms Monalisa Nare said the exhibition broadened her understanding of how technology can transform small-scale mining.
“I have always relied on basic tools, but what I saw here shows that we can do better and increase our output,” she said.
“Some of the equipment improves gold recovery and reduces waste, which is very important for us as small miners.”
Ms Nare added that through interactions with women from other sectors, she was exposed to how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into business operations and saw potential for its application in mining.
“I interacted with other women who are already using AI in their businesses, and it opened my eyes to how we can also use it in mining for better decision-making and efficiency,” she said.
“We need more engagement and training on AI at the grassroots level so that women miners are not left behind as technology advances.”
She, however, noted that affordability remains a major barrier.
“These machines are expensive, and without financial support, it is difficult for women like me to access them. We need funding models that specifically target women miners,” she said.
At the exhibition, there was a strong showing by universities and colleges showcasing innovations that could help drive industrialisation and economic growth.
A total of 46 higher and tertiary institutions, along with 11 agencies under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, exhibited.
Their presence and the practical solutions displayed reflected a growing shift from theory-driven learning to innovation-led production.
Under Education 5.0, institutions have been mandated to develop technologies, products and services that directly support the revival and transformation of Zimbabwe’s economy.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister, Ambassador Frederick Shava, said he was impressed by the quality and relevance of innovations being presented.
“After touring these stands, I am quite impressed with what our institutions have done because their innovations speak to industry needs,” said Minister Shava.
“A lot of research ideas have been converted into innovations that are now ready to be taken up by commerce and industry and integrated into daily operations.”
Several institutions are already demonstrating how research can translate into commercially viable products.
For instance, Gwanda State University is also contributing through the development of an engineering laboratory designed to support mining research and mineral beneficiation – a key priority as Zimbabwe seeks to maximise value from its mineral resources.
The exhibition and conference platforms created a rare interface for young female miners to engage directly with policymakers, financiers and technology providers, helping to bridge long-standing gaps between grassroots operators and decision-makers.
Through these interactions, women gained insight into funding opportunities, regulatory processes and emerging business models, while also voicing their challenges and expectations.
Such engagements are increasingly seen as vital in shaping inclusive policies, unlocking tailored financing and ensuring that innovation uptake is not limited to large players, but extends to empower women at the heart of Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
