Story by Memory Chamisa
SMALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remain a key driver of employment and economic activity in Zimbabwe, government officials say, highlighting the sector’s central role in poverty reduction and national development.
At a lecture held this Monday at the Zimbabwe National Defence Forces Staff College in Harare, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, emphasised the sector’s contribution to employment, noting that it accounts for approximately 60 percent of the country’s GDP. Women, she added, constitute 56 percent of the workforce in SMEs.
“In Zimbabwe, the SMEs and MSME sector remains the dominant employer. The SMEs sector contributes around 60 percent of Gross Domestic Product and employs millions of Zimbabweans, with women constituting about 56 percent hence they are the majority in this sector. As we advance towards Vision 2030 of attaining an Upper Middle-Income Economy, it is clear that employment creation will be largely driven by the growth, formalisation and industrialisation of this sector.”
The Minister highlighted government interventions designed to support SMEs, including infrastructure development and improved access to commercial spaces. She cited the Mbare Musika Market in Harare as a model initiative providing secure, regulated trading environments for small-scale entrepreneurs, with similar projects underway in Chiredzi and other districts.
“By investing in the growth of SMEs, Zimbabwe can harness the power of entrepreneurship to address pressing challenges, build resilience, and foster inclusive economic development. As these enterprises continue to evolve and expand, they will undoubtedly play a central role in shaping the future trajectory of Zimbabwe. Infrastructure development is critical. President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently commissioned the Mbare Musika market that has enabled SMes to operate in a safe and secure environment Chiredzi, the SMEs have done the same, and we have since engaged local authorities so that more space is availed.”
Experts say the government’s focus on SMEs reflects the sector’s labour-intensive nature and its capacity to adapt to evolving market conditions. The emphasis on female entrepreneurs aligns with broader objectives to advance gender-inclusive economic development.
With targeted investment and policy support, SMEs are expected to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda, boosting domestic production, supporting livelihoods, and enhancing employment opportunities across the country.
