Antony Chawagarira
BULAWAYO – The Government has launched a US$1 million Youth Economic Fund aimed at accelerating youth-led enterprise growth and widening financial inclusion, in a move officials say will help unlock innovation and job creation across Zimbabwe.
The fund was officially unveiled during the Youth in Business Forum 2026, held on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2026, which ran under the theme: “Youth Financial Inclusion — Closing gaps in connected economies.”
The forum brought together policymakers, financiers, and young entrepreneurs to explore practical solutions for expanding youth participation in the economy. Authorities say the initiative will be administered through EmpowerBank and is designed to improve access to affordable financing for youth-led enterprises across all provinces.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire, said the fund represents a shift from policy discussion to tangible support for young people. “This US$1 million Youth Economic Fund is not just about money; it is about unlocking the potential of our young people and ensuring they become active drivers of economic transformation,” he said.
He added that Government remains committed to ensuring youth businesses are integrated into national development programmes aligned with Vision 2030.
“Through EmpowerBank, we are creating opportunities for youth in all provinces to start, expand and sustain businesses that contribute meaningfully to national development and the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
Participants at the forum described the fund as a timely intervention, particularly for young entrepreneurs struggling to access startup and expansion capital Tapiwa Ndlovu, a poultry youth farmer from Gweru, said limited access to finance has been a major barrier to scaling up operations. “This fund comes at the right time because I have been operating on a small scale due to limited capital. With support from this programme, I plan to increase my poultry capacity and create employment for other youths in my community,” he said.
Rumbidzai Moyo, who runs a digital design and branding business, said the initiative would empower young innovators to compete in the digital economy. “Many of us have ideas but lack the financial muscle to turn them into profitable ventures. This fund gives us confidence that the Government is serious about supporting youth innovation as Zimbabwe moves towards Vision 2030,” she said.
The Youth Economic Fund is expected to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and business expansion across multiple sectors, with authorities emphasising its role in positioning young people at the centre of economic transformation and sustainable development.
