Harare, (New Ziana) – A fire which razed parts of the Mbare informal market on Tuesday evening, leaving many micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) lamenting the loss of their stock and livelihoods, has sparked an outpouring of sympathy and a call to action from the industry representatives.
In an exclusive interview with New Ziana on Wednesday, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Chamber of SMEs (ZCSMEs), Venencio Kurauone, expressed profound sorrow for the affected business owners. “This tragic event is a wake-up call,” he said.
“While the fire is devastating, it highlights the broader risks MSMEs face daily, including death, illness, theft, and natural disasters.” As the Chamber gears up to support those impacted, Kurauone emphasized their commitment to mitigating such risks through formalization.
“We are actively engaging stakeholders to fast-track our ongoing efforts, focusing on creating safe, decent workspaces and building partnerships with large corporates in the insurance value chain,” he said.
He said recent initiatives include a partnership with Generation Health, aimed at providing affordable, tailored health insurance products to MSMEs.
“Today it’s a fire, but the challenges extend far beyond that. We need stronger systems in place,” he said.
The Chamber, alongside the Indigenous Advisory Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (IAPAZ), is pushing to formalize 5 million MSMEs by 2030.
“This incident reminds us why formalization is crucial. A structured business environment, supported by insurance and disaster preparedness, is key to protecting the livelihoods of MSMEs,” Kurauone added.
IAPAZ president, Nyasha Gonese, who is also an advisory partner to the ZCSMEs, echoed the same sentiments.
“While we express our deep sympathies for the affected traders, this event underscores the need for swift action,” he said.
“IAPAZ is working with the Chamber to drive formalization, which includes building disaster resilience for MSMEs.”
In response to the fire, IAPAZ and the ZCSMEs are hosting monthly SME networking breakfasts in partnership with Rural District Councils (RDCs). These gatherings aim to foster collaboration between RDCS, MSMEs, and large corporates.
“Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen ties between various stakeholders, ensuring that MSMEs not only recover from crises like this fire, but also develop sustainable business models,” added Gonese.
The tragic fire serves as a stark reminder that MSMEs, the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, remain vulnerable to disasters and that immediate action to rebuild, alongside long-term strategies for formalization and risk mitigation, are essential steps to safeguard their future.
New Ziana
