Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
YOUNG entrepreneurs are looking to Zimbabwe’s assumption of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairmanship to open regional markets, improve access to finance and create business partnerships, particularly in mining and mineral beneficiation.
Youth Network Connect director Mr Philimon Nyirenda said the chairmanship should translate into tangible regional integration and expanded market access for young entrepreneurs.
“As Zimbabwe assumes the COMESA chairmanship, as youths in business, we are looking forward to a transformative era defined by tangible regional integration and expanded market access,” Mr Nyirenda said.
He said young entrepreneurs expected deliberate action to dismantle trade barriers and promote digital trade.
“We anticipate a deliberate inclusive focus on dismantling trade barriers and fostering a digital economy that empowers young entrepreneurs to transcend borders,” he said.
Mr Nyirenda said access to affordable finance and a seamless cross-border trading environment remained critical for youth-led enterprises to grow.
“The Chairmanship should champion policies that unlock affordable capital and create a seamless ecosystem for cross-border trade, enabling youth-led enterprises to scale and contribute meaningfully to the region’s economic renaissance,” he said.
Zimbabwe has assumed the COMESA chairmanship as the regional bloc convenes its Council of Ministers and Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare.
Meanwhile, young miners expect the chairmanship to create opportunities for mineral value addition, beneficiation and partnerships with businesses across the region.
Young Miners Foundation chief executive Mr Payne Kupfuwa said the development could help young miners find markets for processed minerals and secure new business deals.
“I think the Chairmanship for the commission will unlock and open doors for young miners, especially in value-added and beneficiated minerals,” he said.
“We are looking at the jewellery that’s being made from gemstones from Zimbabwe. We are looking at products which are coming from concentrates and chrome-beneficiated products and any other, of course, value-added minerals, which will then unlock a better market because of our COMESA Chairmanship, because it will unlock opportunities for us to secure contracts, to secure business partnerships, collaborations with other countries around,” he said.
Mr Kupfuwa said the initiative aligned with continental development frameworks, including Agenda 2063 and the Africa Mining Vision.
“We continue, again, in pursuit of the Agenda 2063, in line with the Africa Mining Vision,” he said.
He said the chairmanship could also facilitate employment, knowledge-sharing and the adoption of improved mineral-processing methods.
“So, our COMESA Chairmanship will unlock potential, not only for employment, but for business connections, business transactions, markets, as well as sharing of knowledge, better processing methods, sharing of insights, experiences on how best we can value-add and beneficiate our minerals, and at the same time, on how best we can develop our mining industry as young people who are formalising and professionalising their mining enterprises,” Mr Kupfuwa said.
Government has been pushing for the formalisation of mining operations and greater value addition to increase earnings from the country’s mineral resources.
