Bulawayo, (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe government recognises the vital role that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play in driving economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in the country, a cabinet Minister has said.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said this on Friday while openeing a a four-day MSME training manual validation workshop in Bulawayo. The four-day workshop also included the training of Trainers for the Ministry’s Business and Cooperative Development officers drawn from the Head Office and the country’s 10 provinces.
The training, supported by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), was aimed at equipping MSMEs with business resilience, management, and digital skills.
The development of the MSME Training Manual marks a significant milestone following the MSME Results Monitoring Framework and Southern Region Business Management training launched in Zimbabwe in June 2022. “MSMEs contribute significantly to value addition, exports growth, and providing essential ancillary services across sectors.
“Therefore, government recognises the substantial role played by MSMEs in driving economic growth and sustainable development in Zimbabwe through creating jobs, providing key ancillary services in almost all sectors of the economy, driving value addition and export growth,” the minister said.
Mutsvangwa highlighted that the MSME sector employs 4.8 million people on a full-time basis and contributes more than 60% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the 2021 MSMEs Survey. She however acknowledged several challenges that the sector faces, including limited access to finance, markets, appropriate workspaces, and insufficient business management skills. “Furthermore, it must be noted that the business environment is marked by uncertainty, economic shocks, and rapid changes.
“There is therefore a need for robust and coordinated supportive mechanisms by all stakeholders to build the capacity of SMEs to survive in this environment,” she said. Mutsvangwa said her ministry remains committed to providing MSMEs with resources, training, and opportunities to unlock their potential. “Guided by the MSMEs Policy Framework (2020–2024), the Ministry is implementing a number of programs meant to address these challenges.
“These initiatives include funding through the Women Development Fund (WDF), Community Development Fund (CDF), Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank (ZWMB), and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), construction of MSMEs factory shells to ensure MSMEs have decent workspaces, business management skills training, assisting MSMEs to exhibit their products and services at various exhibitions and expos locally and internationally, among others,” she explained.
Mutsvangwa commended UNDESA for supporting the development of the manual saying it will positively enhance the capacity of MSMEs to manage and grow their businesses in a highly competitive business environment. She also emphasized the importance of sustainable risk management practices for MSMEs, citing the recent fire at the Mbare Traders’ Market, where traders lost millions worth of goods.
New Ziana
