Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE Second Republic has been commended for fostering a conducive investment climate through ease-of-doing-business reforms that are encouraging increased local investment, job creation and improved livelihoods in communities across Masvingo Province.
Several indigenous entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the enabling economic environment created by the reforms, among them Masvingo businessman, Mr Against Chiteme, who in 2025 established a service station and a retail complex in Rujeko suburb.
The project, which was commissioned on Monday, has created employment for more than 30 local residents and improved access to essential services for the surrounding community.
Mr Chiteme said the reforms introduced by Government had given him the confidence to expand beyond small-scale enterprises.
“I have always been an entrepreneur focusing on small businesses, but this year I decided to expand by taking advantage of the ease of doing business measures put in place by our government. We established this retail complex, which we are looking forward to expanding further, and a new service station that will service the Rujeko community and surrounding areas. We thank our government for being supportive of local investments,” Mr Chiteme said.
He thanked Government for supporting local investment initiatives.
Government officials reaffirmed their commitment to promoting indigenous investment as a cornerstone of economic growth and sustainable development.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, said the ease-of-doing-business reforms were focused on reducing operational costs, simplifying licensing procedures and cutting red tape, particularly in key sectors such as retail and transport.
“Government efforts on ease of doing business are centred on cutting costs, simplifying licensing processes and reducing red tape, particularly in sectors such as retail and transport. Such measures have resulted in increased interest from our local investors. What we are witnessing today is a clear example of how our people are responding positively to these reforms and we witnessed more of these during the course of 2025 in sectors such as manufacturing and retail, agriculture, mining, tourism and many others,” he said.
Political and church leaders who attended the commissioning ceremony urged more citizens to seize available opportunities and actively participate in national development.
ZANU PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Senator Robson Mavhenyengwa, said the developments being witnessed in communities were translating into improved livelihoods and access to essential services.
“As a party, we are encouraged by the developments we are witnessing in our communities that have seen improved livelihoods and improved access to essential services. We have seen new roads, service stations, clinics, private and public schools being established among many developments,” Senator Mavhenyengwa said.
Vapostori neMaZion for ED National Executive Chairperson, Madzibaba Moses Gwasarira, said the growth in local investment reflects the impact of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s development philosophy.
“We continue to witness the fruits of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind. We are seeing our local people venturing into various businesses, including our members of the Apostolic sect. The onus is upon us to take advantage of these opportunities to transform our communities,” Madzibaba Moses said.
Through sustained ease-of-doing-business reforms and increased local participation in investment, the Second Republic continues to lay a foundation for inclusive economic growth and improved livelihoods across communities.
