Go beyond survivalist mode, SMEs told

**Remember Deketeke-**Herald Correspondent

GOVERNMENT has challenged Zimbabwean small and medium enterprises to move beyond survivalist businesses and embrace industrialisation, value addition and formalisation to drive sustainable economic growth.

This was said by Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during the launch of the 2026 SMEs International Expo theme in Harare yesterday.

She said SMEs had a critical role to play in transforming Zimbabwe’s economy by processing raw materials locally and producing competitive finished products.

The 16th edition of the SMEs International Expo will run from October 21 to 24 at Monomotapa Hotel Gardens in Harare, with a two-day business conference running alongside the exhibition.

This year’s theme is: “The Industrial Imperative: Scaling with Discipline, Transforming for Enduring Impact.”

“The theme is timely and resonates strongly with the Government’s commitment to accelerating economic transformation through industrialisation, value addition, formalisation and inclusive economic development, as we move towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” Senator Mutsvangwa said.

She said the Government’s focus was no longer simply on increasing the number of enterprises, but on building businesses capable of contributing meaningfully to the economy.

“Our responsibility, therefore, is not merely to increase the number of enterprises, but to facilitate the development of productive, formalised, competitive and sustainable enterprises that can create employment, increase incomes, participate in value chains and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

Senator Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe’s industrialisation agenda required entrepreneurs to move beyond primary production into processing, packaging, branding and manufacturing.

“Zimbabwe can no longer afford to remain predominantly a producer and exporter of raw materials. Our economic transformation requires us to increase value addition, beneficiation, manufacturing and local content,” she said.

“Our MSMEs have a critical role to play in this process. We must encourage our entrepreneurs to move beyond primary production and into processing, packaging, branding and manufacturing.”

She said agricultural produce should increasingly be converted into finished products, while locally available minerals should generate greater value within the country.

“Agricultural produce must increasingly be transformed into finished products. Locally available minerals must generate greater value within Zimbabwe,” Senator Mutsvangwa said.

She also called for greater integration of creative industries, furniture manufacturers, clothing producers and food processors into productive value chains.

Minister Mutsvangwa said enterprises should ensure that expansion was supported by strong management systems and proper financial controls.

“Growth must be supported by sound systems, proper financial management, quality standards, innovation and effective leadership,” she said.

Senator Mutsvangwa said formalisation should not be regarded simply as a regulatory burden, but as a gateway to opportunities that could help businesses expand.

“Formalisation should not be viewed merely as a regulatory requirement. It creates opportunities for enterprises to access finance, insurance, procurement opportunities, markets and strategic partnerships,” she said.

She further urged SMEs to embrace technology, digitalisation, innovation and skills development if they were to compete effectively in regional and international markets.

“Scaling with discipline therefore means that our enterprises must embrace formalisation, good financial management, quality assurance, technology, digitalisation, sound governance and continuous skills development,” she said.

Senator Mutsvangwa said the Government wanted to see enterprises that could remain productive and sustainable beyond individual projects and programmes.

“Our objective must be to create enterprises and value chains that remain productive and sustainable beyond individual projects, programmes or events,” she said.

She said the SMEs International Expo should consequently be viewed as more than an exhibition, as it provided opportunities for businesses to access markets, investment, technology and partnerships.

“Therefore, the SMEs International Expo should not be viewed merely as an exhibition. It is a platform for market access, investment, partnerships, technology transfer, knowledge exchange and business development,” she said.

Source: Go beyond survivalist mode, SMEs told – herald

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