News / National
ZNCC calls for urgent policy reform
31 May 2025 at 13:48hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has issued a strong call for urgent policy reforms to revive the country's struggling economy, warning that businesses cannot thrive under the current regulatory and operational challenges.
Speaking at the 2025 Mashonaland Region Business Awards held in Harare, ZNCC Harare branch chairperson Ephraim Chawoneka said Zimbabwe's immense economic potential remains locked due to policy misalignment and bureaucratic hurdles that continue to weigh down the private sector.
"Zimbabwe is teeming with energy and untapped potential, but to translate that into jobs, exports and transformation, we need sound, enabling policy," said Chawoneka. He stressed the need for policies that are responsive to the realities on the ground, noting that exchange rate instability, power outages, rising production costs, and limited access to capital are threatening the survival and growth of many enterprises.
The business awards ceremony, held under the theme "Unlocking," recognised outstanding companies and entrepreneurs who have managed to succeed despite the difficult environment. Among those celebrated for their resilience and innovation were leading firms in the mining, tobacco, agriculture, and microfinance sectors.
Chawoneka highlighted that while the awards honour those who continue to excel, the broader picture remains worrying, with too many businesses either stagnating or shutting down due to poor economic conditions. He reiterated ZNCC's commitment to advocating for reforms that would improve the ease of doing business, reduce regulatory burdens, and enhance Zimbabwe's competitiveness.
He added that creating sustainable platforms for dialogue between the government and the private sector is critical for crafting practical solutions that support economic recovery and long-term development. According to Chawoneka, the private sector needs policies that do more than pay lip service to growth and investment.
"Our job is to ensure businesses do not just survive but thrive," he said. "That means policies that promote investment, competitiveness, and inclusive growth."
The ZNCC believes the current challenges facing businesses require immediate and coordinated policy responses. Without such action, the chamber warns, Zimbabwe risks missing another opportunity to unleash its full economic potential.
Chawoneka also commended the resilience shown by local entrepreneurs and corporations, saying their determination to push forward in a constrained environment is a powerful reminder of the strength of Zimbabwe's business community.
"Whether you are a bold start-up or a long-established enterprise, your presence here means you are helping redefine what is possible in Zimbabwean business," he said.
The awards ceremony closed with renewed calls for collaboration and reform, as stakeholders across sectors look to 2025 as a make-or-break year for economic revival in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the 2025 Mashonaland Region Business Awards held in Harare, ZNCC Harare branch chairperson Ephraim Chawoneka said Zimbabwe's immense economic potential remains locked due to policy misalignment and bureaucratic hurdles that continue to weigh down the private sector.
"Zimbabwe is teeming with energy and untapped potential, but to translate that into jobs, exports and transformation, we need sound, enabling policy," said Chawoneka. He stressed the need for policies that are responsive to the realities on the ground, noting that exchange rate instability, power outages, rising production costs, and limited access to capital are threatening the survival and growth of many enterprises.
The business awards ceremony, held under the theme "Unlocking," recognised outstanding companies and entrepreneurs who have managed to succeed despite the difficult environment. Among those celebrated for their resilience and innovation were leading firms in the mining, tobacco, agriculture, and microfinance sectors.
Chawoneka highlighted that while the awards honour those who continue to excel, the broader picture remains worrying, with too many businesses either stagnating or shutting down due to poor economic conditions. He reiterated ZNCC's commitment to advocating for reforms that would improve the ease of doing business, reduce regulatory burdens, and enhance Zimbabwe's competitiveness.
He added that creating sustainable platforms for dialogue between the government and the private sector is critical for crafting practical solutions that support economic recovery and long-term development. According to Chawoneka, the private sector needs policies that do more than pay lip service to growth and investment.
"Our job is to ensure businesses do not just survive but thrive," he said. "That means policies that promote investment, competitiveness, and inclusive growth."
The ZNCC believes the current challenges facing businesses require immediate and coordinated policy responses. Without such action, the chamber warns, Zimbabwe risks missing another opportunity to unleash its full economic potential.
Chawoneka also commended the resilience shown by local entrepreneurs and corporations, saying their determination to push forward in a constrained environment is a powerful reminder of the strength of Zimbabwe's business community.
"Whether you are a bold start-up or a long-established enterprise, your presence here means you are helping redefine what is possible in Zimbabwean business," he said.
The awards ceremony closed with renewed calls for collaboration and reform, as stakeholders across sectors look to 2025 as a make-or-break year for economic revival in Zimbabwe.
Source - Zimbabwe Independent
