Staff Reporter
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs by enhancing their access to financial resources as part of the country’s efforts to achieve Vision 2030.
This pledge was made during the Atlantic Council’s Women for Prosperity Project launch in Harare yesterday, where Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, underscored the importance of financial empowerment for women.
Speaking at the event, Senator Mutsvangwa emphasized that true empowerment of women cannot happen without providing them with the necessary financial backing.
“We cannot talk about empowering women without putting money aside. We cannot talk about supporting SMEs without putting money. They need financial assistance. Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, has already supported many women in starting their businesses and aims to further expand these efforts,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa stressed the need for even greater funding to support the growing number of women interested in entrepreneurship.
“We want more money put into it. Government has been channeling resources into initiatives such as the Community Development Fund to help female entrepreneurs kick-start their ventures. Development partners have played a critical role in training women entrepreneurs to enhance their skills and business acumen,” she explained.
Additionally, Minister Mutsvangwa also urged Zimbabwean banks to continue providing financial services to women, who have earned a reputation for being reliable borrowers.
“Our banks, we want them to continue to give access to finance to our women entrepreneurs. They are well known for paying back their loans,” she added.
The Atlantic Council’s senior director of the Freedom and Prosperity Centre, Joseph Lemoine, expressed the importance of the initiative in building global partnerships and fostering women’s entrepreneurship.
“Our mission is to shape the global future together with partners and alliances. The two-day Women for Prosperity Project, which is focused on mentoring and empowering female entrepreneurs, aims to increase women’s participation in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape,” said Lemoine.
Remnant Generation founder Annabelle Ssebakijje Nakabiri, who spoke at the event, emphasized the importance of creating businesses with purpose.
“The greatest success is to do a business that has purpose, when you do something that also transforms lives, it is a powerful thing. I encourage female entrepreneurs to incorporate social impact into their business models, ensuring they create opportunities for other women, especially those with limited access to resources,” said Nakabiri.
The launch of the mentorship program aligns with the Government’s broader initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls across the country, ensuring they can play a pivotal role in national development as the country works towards Vision 2030.
