Patricia Chingaira, chief executive officer with Zimbabwe Womens’ Enterprise Development, believes that, with financial and business management skills, female entrepreneurs will have the tools they need to succeed.
“This is an excellent opportunity to bring the full range of our advisory work together to support women in business in Zimbabwe. We are confident that together we can make a significant impact in business,” said Chingaira.
“Women entrepreneurs will have access to training in management, leadership and organisation of business and financial plans.”
She said her organisation would launch a women entrepreneurs’ programme next month, backed by a $30m credit line from a local bank, which will enable them to offer loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises run by women.
She said selection of the entrepreneurs has already begun in all the provinces and they were working with the ministry of women’s affairs, gender and community development.
“The aim of giving the loans is to make gender issues central to economic emancipation, while helping to better leverage the untapped potential of women in emerging markets,” she said.
Chingaira added that they would also fight to increase access to finance for women entrepreneurs and reduce gender-based barriers in the business environment.
Post published in: News