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SMEs can contribute significantly to Zimbabwe's economic revival, says Minister Mutsvangwa
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CGAIZ president Judith Buzuzi
The 2025 Chartered Governance and Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGAIZ) annual conference opened today (September 18) in Victoria Falls with a powerful message from Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
In a speech read on her behalf by Engineer Francis Gondo, Chief Director for Enterprise and Community Development in her ministry, Hon. Mutsvangwa underscored the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in driving Zimbabwe's economic resurgence.
"SMEs are not just peripheral players in our economy. They are its very backbone, employing over 60 percent of our population and contributing more than 60 percent to gross domestic product," she added.
Her remarks framed SMEs as engines of innovation, resilience and inclusive growth, calling for stronger governance frameworks, access to finance and digital transformation to unlock their full potential.
The minister's speech anchored the conference's theme, "Inspire, Innovate, Sustain: Charting the Course for Zimbabwe's Economic Rebound," and highlighted the government's commitment to empowering grassroots enterprise through Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
She urged governance professionals to extend their influence beyond boardrooms and into communities, cooperatives and micro-enterprises, where accountability and sustainability must take root.
"Governance does not reside in government alone. It extends into boardrooms, cooperatives and even micro-enterprises. The resilience of our economy will, in a large measure, depend on how well we instil governance values across all tiers of our economy, from multinationals to our local SMEs," she said.
She applauded CGAIZ's focus on sustainability reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, noting that these frameworks are essential for preparing Zimbabwean enterprises for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
The minister also called for capacity building around artificial intelligence, describing it as a game-changer for financial management, fraud detection and predictive analysis. She urged CGAIZ to lead the charge in preparing professionals to harness AI responsibly and effectively.
CGAIZ president Judith Buzuzi made a stirring welcome address, reflecting on the Institute's role in shaping Zimbabwe's economic trajectory. She underscored the importance of disciplined stewardship and sustainable practices, particularly in the SME sector.
"SMEs are the backbone of our country. They provide jobs for most of our people, create livelihoods for families and embody the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Zimbabweans. Yet too often, they are held back by weak governance structures and poor financial systems. This is where our institute must stand tall," Mrs Buzuzi added.
She also addressed the social challenges facing communities, including the rise in drug and substance abuse, calling for ethical leadership and community engagement from governance professionals.
"Governance is not just about boardrooms. It is also about the choices we make to safeguard our communities and our young people," she said.
Mrs Buzuzi outlined CGAIZ's strategic initiatives, including curriculum modernisation, ESG integration and the rollout of a new learning management system to expand access to professional development.
She praised the success of the Accelerated Public Sector Accounting (APSA) programme and the African Professionalisation Initiative (API), which are strengthening public financial management across Zimbabwe.
"Our goal is always the same. To ensure that governance and accountants contribute directly to the well-being of our people," she said
CGAIZ chief executive officer Dr Lovemore Gomera made a passionate call to action, celebrating the energy and commitment of delegates gathered in Victoria Falls.
CGAIZ chief executive officer Dr Lovemore Gomera
"This conference has become not just a calendar event, but a collective commitment to shaping Zimbabwe's future through principled leadership and strategic focus.
"There is a hunger for transformation, for solutions that go beyond theory and speak directly to the realities we face in boardrooms, communities and institutions," Dr Gomera said.
He emphasised the catalytic role of governance professionals in driving economic transformation and policy innovation, urging participants to challenge each other to lead with integrity and purpose.
"This is the space where innovation meets accountability. The conversations we are starting now will ripple far beyond Victoria Falls into policy, practice and everyday decisions that shape our economy and society," Dr Gomera added.
In a speech read on her behalf by Engineer Francis Gondo, Chief Director for Enterprise and Community Development in her ministry, Hon. Mutsvangwa underscored the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in driving Zimbabwe's economic resurgence.
"SMEs are not just peripheral players in our economy. They are its very backbone, employing over 60 percent of our population and contributing more than 60 percent to gross domestic product," she added.
Her remarks framed SMEs as engines of innovation, resilience and inclusive growth, calling for stronger governance frameworks, access to finance and digital transformation to unlock their full potential.
The minister's speech anchored the conference's theme, "Inspire, Innovate, Sustain: Charting the Course for Zimbabwe's Economic Rebound," and highlighted the government's commitment to empowering grassroots enterprise through Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1.
She urged governance professionals to extend their influence beyond boardrooms and into communities, cooperatives and micro-enterprises, where accountability and sustainability must take root.
"Governance does not reside in government alone. It extends into boardrooms, cooperatives and even micro-enterprises. The resilience of our economy will, in a large measure, depend on how well we instil governance values across all tiers of our economy, from multinationals to our local SMEs," she said.
She applauded CGAIZ's focus on sustainability reporting and environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, noting that these frameworks are essential for preparing Zimbabwean enterprises for a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.
The minister also called for capacity building around artificial intelligence, describing it as a game-changer for financial management, fraud detection and predictive analysis. She urged CGAIZ to lead the charge in preparing professionals to harness AI responsibly and effectively.
CGAIZ president Judith Buzuzi made a stirring welcome address, reflecting on the Institute's role in shaping Zimbabwe's economic trajectory. She underscored the importance of disciplined stewardship and sustainable practices, particularly in the SME sector.
She also addressed the social challenges facing communities, including the rise in drug and substance abuse, calling for ethical leadership and community engagement from governance professionals.
"Governance is not just about boardrooms. It is also about the choices we make to safeguard our communities and our young people," she said.
Mrs Buzuzi outlined CGAIZ's strategic initiatives, including curriculum modernisation, ESG integration and the rollout of a new learning management system to expand access to professional development.
She praised the success of the Accelerated Public Sector Accounting (APSA) programme and the African Professionalisation Initiative (API), which are strengthening public financial management across Zimbabwe.
"Our goal is always the same. To ensure that governance and accountants contribute directly to the well-being of our people," she said
CGAIZ chief executive officer Dr Lovemore Gomera made a passionate call to action, celebrating the energy and commitment of delegates gathered in Victoria Falls.
CGAIZ chief executive officer Dr Lovemore Gomera
"This conference has become not just a calendar event, but a collective commitment to shaping Zimbabwe's future through principled leadership and strategic focus.
"There is a hunger for transformation, for solutions that go beyond theory and speak directly to the realities we face in boardrooms, communities and institutions," Dr Gomera said.
He emphasised the catalytic role of governance professionals in driving economic transformation and policy innovation, urging participants to challenge each other to lead with integrity and purpose.
"This is the space where innovation meets accountability. The conversations we are starting now will ripple far beyond Victoria Falls into policy, practice and everyday decisions that shape our economy and society," Dr Gomera added.
Source - Agencies
