Mutsvangwa says SMEs drive Vision 2030 as Sweden-funded CEDIS ends

Mutsvangwa says SMEs drive Vision 2030 as Sweden-funded CEDIS ends

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Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make up more than 70 percent of businesses operating in Zimbabwe and are central to the country’s Vision 2030 agenda, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has said.

Mutsvangwa spoke at the close-out ceremony of the Catalysing Economic Development through the Informal Sector (CEDIS) programme held in Mutare last week, where she said the growth and sustainability of MSMEs are pivotal to Government’s plans to build an empowered, prosperous, upper-middle-income economy.

She said women remain the backbone of the sector, accounting for more than 56 percent of enterprise ownership and participation nationwide.

“At the centre of Vision 2030 are women, youths, cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Studies indicate that MSMEs constitute over 70 percent of enterprises operating in Zimbabwe, with women accounting for more than 56 percent of enterprise ownership and participation,” Mutsvangwa said.

She said MSMEs are active across agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, tourism, waste management, retail and services, and contribute to job creation, poverty reduction and stronger local supply chains.

Mutsvangwa said achieving inclusive growth will require improved access to finance, markets, technology, infrastructure, investment opportunities and business development services, adding that unlocking the sector’s full potential needs coordinated work beyond Government.

“Government alone cannot achieve the transformation we seek. Sustainable solutions require coordinated efforts among Government ministries, development partners, financial institutions, the private sector, research institutions and communities themselves,” she said.

She said MSMEs contribute significantly to the objectives of the National Development Strategy 2, and commended the CEDIS programme for supporting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, including initiatives linking waste management, the circular economy and income generation.

“As Zimbabwe pursues sustainable development, environmental management must be linked with economic empowerment. The integration of waste management with income generation not only improves environmental outcomes but also creates dignified livelihoods and promotes social inclusion,” she said.

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Funded by the Embassy of Sweden and implemented by Mercy Corps, the US$5.8 million CEDIS programme has run since July 2022 and is scheduled to conclude on June 30 this year. The initiative targeted 30,000 women and young female entrepreneurs in the informal sector across Mutare, Mutasa, Harare, Seke, Goromonzi, Bulawayo, Gwanda and Matobo.

Sweden’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgarde, said empowering women and young people is essential for resilient economies and sustainable livelihoods.

“Empowering youths and women is, not only about creating opportunities for individuals, it is central to building resilient economies, supporting sustainable development, creating jobs, and unlocking innovation and investment for the future,” Lindgarde said.

He said the programme provided beneficiaries with knowledge, networks and access to financial services to help them strengthen enterprises and improve livelihoods, adding that the impact extended beyond direct beneficiaries.

“Strong businesses create jobs, support local economies and inspire others to pursue their own ambitions. Success stories create hope and demonstrate that positive change is possible when people are given the right support and opportunities,” he said.

Mercy Corps Zimbabwe country director Mildred Makore said the programme showed the value of investing in women and young entrepreneurs, with about 70 percent of beneficiaries being young women.

“For four years, we have worked alongside the Government, local authorities, financial institutions and private sector partners to unlock opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs. The success stories we celebrate today are proof that when women are empowered economically, entire families and communities benefit,” Makore said.

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