Story by Memory Chamisa
HARARE – WOMEN entrepreneurs exhibiting at the SADC Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs Meeting in Harare are optimistic about leveraging the event to penetrate regional markets and grow their businesses.
The exhibitors, representing a diverse range of economic sectors, are showcasing products such as detergents, clothing, and artefacts, hoping to attract the attention of regional delegates and forge cross-border business linkages.
“I am into detergent making and I am happy to be part of this exhibition as this is my first time showcasing my products at such a huge event. I am looking forward to having regional contacts that will market my products in their countries,” an exhibitor said.
“It is exciting to have my fellow women here exhibiting our products and giving each other business ideas and markets that will help us grow,” another added.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Mavis Sibanda, said empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a necessity for gender equality, but a catalyst for inclusive development.
“While women make up about 40 percent of all micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the region, they face considerable, structural challenges in accessing finance, hence we have put in place mechanisms to ensure that women can access financial support. Empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a goal, it is a prerequisite for the development of our economies and societies,” she said.
“In Zimbabwe, women entrepreneurs make up a significant portion of the SME sector, which contributes immensely to the national economy. However, most women-led businesses still operate in the informal sector, limiting their growth potential and access to larger markets.”
The government remains committed to supporting women entrepreneurs, breaking down barriers and building a future where no woman is left behind as it creates an enabling environment for them to prosper and drive sustainable national development.
The exhibition comes on the sidelines of the ongoing SADC Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs meeting which started on Monday.
The government has since put in place policies, investments and partnerships that continue to unlock the full potential of women entrepreneurs.
Currently, 56 percent of Zimbabwe’s SMEs are women-owned and these businesses contribute 60 percent of the country’s GDP.
