Story by Owen Mandovha
MASHONALAND CENTRAL -THE Government of Zimbabwe, in collaboration with several key institutions, has launched a multi-stakeholder campaign aimed at promoting economic and financial inclusion among rural communities in Muzarabani, Mashonaland Central Province.
Led by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), the outreach campaign seeks to empower marginalised populations with vital information and tools that will enable their active participation in the mainstream economy.
The awareness drive, held under the theme of inclusivity and empowerment, brought together agencies including the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ), the Consumer Protection Commission, and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe.
The campaign focused on educating residents about consumer rights, digital literacy, access to financial services, and how remote citizens can engage in public procurement processes all key pillars in fostering inclusive national development.
“As the Consumer Protection Commission it is our role to ensure that we play our role sufficiently to inform the nation of their rights and the remoteness of these areas does not impede us from doing so as we are in Muzarabani to teach these outlying communities,” Consumer Protection Commission, Fungai Zinyanduko said.
“The Reserve Bank is here to ensure you understand the financial facilities available to you. Through our financial inclusion policy, we want all Zimbabweans to participate in the economy, no matter where they are,” Director, RBZ, Mr Abel Marumisa said.
Traditional leaders in the area applauded the initiative, noting its importance in bridging the urban-rural information gap.
“As traditional leaders, we want our people to be fully involved in national programmes. This can only happen when they are well informed. The dissemination of such knowledge is key to our national progress,” Chief Muzarabani said.
Beneficiaries of the campaign expressed gratitude for the insights shared.
“This campaign helped me understand my rights, like checking product labels, weight and ingredients and so I am not taken advantage of as a consumer,” a beneficiary said.
“The Reserve Bank taught us that bank charges do not apply to transactions below US$5. That is important knowledge for us in rural areas,” notes a community member.
POTRAZ’s role in the initiative centres on digital inclusion, recognising the need for accessible telecommunications infrastructure to power modern economic participation.
“In today’s digital world, telecommunications platforms are central to economic engagement. Our goal is to ensure accessibility and affordability of digital services so that no one is left behind. This programme is about empowerment through connectivity,” Deputy Director, POTRAZ, Dr Vengesai Magadzire said.
As Zimbabwe marches towards Vision 2030 and the goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy, initiatives such as these play a crucial role in ensuring inclusivity, equity, and nationwide participation in economic growth.
