Story by Abigirl Tembo
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched the National Cooperative Societies Development Policy, describing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy and a critical driver of the country’s Vision 2030 agenda.
Addressing the inaugural National MSMEs and Cooperatives Indaba in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the sector has evolved from the periphery of the economy to become one of its principal pillars, contributing more than 60 per cent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product while providing employment to millions of Zimbabweans.
“Undoubtedly, this sector is no longer peripheral to our economy; it isnow one of the principal pillars. Statistics show that SMEs contribute over sixty percent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product and provides employment to millions of our citizens,” he said.
Held under the theme, Towards Vision 2030: Building an Enabling Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Ecosystem, the Indaba brought together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, development partners, academia and policymakers to identify practical solutions for accelerating enterprise growth and improving the business environment.
President Mnangagwa said the gathering reflects the Second Republic’s commitment to dialogue and a whole-of-government approach to economic development, adding that MSMEs have become central to entrepreneurship, innovation, industrialisation, employment creation and inclusive economic growth.
“This Indaba dovetails with the thrust of my
Administration, which emphasises dialogue, and the Whole of Government and Society Approach.
Our collective quest is to realise sustainable development and prosperity that leaves no one and no place behind,” said the President.
He commended the sector for driving local content production and import substitution through the manufacture of quality products, saying the exhibitions showcased at the Indaba demonstrated the growing capacity of Zimbabwean enterprises to meet domestic demand.
“Enterprises in the sector are making significant
contributions to drive the Local Content Policy and import substitution through the production of highquality products. I can personally attest to this, following my tour of the remarkable exhibitions mounted at the sidelines of this Indaba. Again, I say well done,” he noted.
The President, however, challenged businesses to move beyond survival and expand into higher-value markets by developing niche products and embracing technology-driven enterprises as the country advances towards Vision 2030.
“Evidence is all around us that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and cooperatives are evolving, sustaining livelihoods and ensuring continuity in the supply of essential goods and services. As we move towards Vision 2030, I challenge the sector to now shift focus to enter new markets and develop niche products
in emerging economic spaces, including in technology driven enterprises,” he indicated.
In the agriculture sector, he said the Government will continue supporting enterprises involved in value addition, processing, packaging and marketing of agricultural products. He also encouraged rural communities to process commodities such as edible oils, milk, tobacco, leather and horticultural produce locally instead of exporting raw materials.
“In agriculture, my Government stands ready to scale up support for the growth of enterprises engaged in value addition, processing, packaging and marketing ofagricultural products. In this regard, rural communities should not mere
producers of raw materials. Across all our provinces, communities and SMEs must be organised to take advantage of opportunities in areas such as processing of oils, milk and milk products, tobacco, leather and leather
products as well as in horticulture value chains,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also challenged small-scale miners, who contribute about 65 per cent of the country’s gold output, to move beyond mineral extraction and invest in beneficiation, processing and other value-adding activities within the mining sector.
With regards to the mining sector, I recognise the
tremendous work being done by our small-scale miners. The sub-sector has emerged as the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold industry, contributing approximately 65 percent of national gold output.Going forward, I urge our small businesses in the mining sector to gradually move beyond the extraction of minerals towards beneficiation, processing and participation in higher-value segments of the mining value chain,” he said.
For manufacturers, he called for increased investment in engineering services, foundries, fabrication workshops, component manufacturing and downstream industries that support Zimbabwe’s strategic economic sectors.
The President stressed that enterprise growth must be underpinned by responsible business practices, environmental sustainability and compliance with occupational health and safety standards.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the National Cooperative Societies Development Policy, which President Mnangagwa said provides a comprehensive framework for modernising, strengthening and expanding Zimbabwe’s cooperative movement.
He said the policy complements ongoing efforts to review legislation governing both cooperatives and MSMEs.
President Mnangagwa said the Government is also prioritising the development of modern, safe trading spaces through projects such as the modernisation of Mbare Musika and the construction of new market infrastructure in several towns and cities. He urged local authorities to allocate more land for SME workspaces, industrial clusters, agro-processing facilities and cooperative business centres.
Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to supporting enterprise development, the President urged businesses operating in the informal sector to embrace formalisation, noting that regulatory reforms are being implemented to lower compliance costs and improve the ease of doing business.
He challenged enterprises to grow from micro to small, medium and eventually large-scale businesses capable of competing on the international market.
Concluding his address, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that promotes investment, competitiveness and broad-based economic opportunities for all Zimbabweans before officially declaring the inaugural National MSMEs and Cooperatives Indaba open.
