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Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

THE successful implementation of ZimTrade’s empowerment programmes targeting women and the youth — Next She Exporter and Eagles Nest — has seen it partner with the Pan African Bank, EcoBank and the UN Women in a bid to capacitate more women and youth led businesses with export training and mentorship.

UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.

ZimTrade has programmes targeting women and youth led businesses where mentorship and training is offered for them to be able to produce goods and service that meets the international standards as well as to have knowledge on what is expected when exporting products.

The programmes include the Next She Exporter, which caters for women entrepreneurs in various sectors of the economy with the exception of mining, fuels and electricity.

In the first edition, launched in April 2022 saw over 100 female entrepreneurs being capacitated with export knowledge and skills across the country and exceptional participants were for the high-quality outcomes exhibited reflecting the effectiveness of the programme.

The other is the Eagles Nest, an incubator programme for youth led businesses.

Ecobank

The Eagles’ Nest programme was launched in 2020 to inculcate an export culture among youth enterprises in Zimbabwe.

The development of the programme was premised on the understanding that meaningful trade and economic development require specific approaches to include marginalised groups, particularly young people.

The initiative also anchors on the recognition by the National Youth Policy that the participation of young people in economic activities provides sustenance and sustainable livelihood to the majority of them.

Eagle’s Nest programme bridges the knowledge gap by bringing together different stakeholders to support and nurture youth businesses across Zimbabwe into viable export-ready companies.

ZimTrade southern region manager, Mrs Jackie Nyathi recently told journalists in Bulawayo that the programmes have drawn keen interest which have seen different organisations showing willingness to partner them in capacitating youths and women.

“We receive a lot of support from development partners, the embassies and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs). For instance, the Next She Exporter, UN Women has come through in a big way, in 2024 they said they really want to be part of it and we are excited because it means we can roll out the programme to more women,” she said.

“For the Eagles Nest, Ecobank came through in 2022, after realising that the programme is an award-winning initiative, so the just-ended season was their second year supporting it and they have already committed to support us again this year.”

She said the organisations which are partnering with them have seen that the programmes have an impact as those who have gone through it have immensely benefited.

Mrs Nyathi added that those who win at the Eagles Nest and the Next She Exporter are  not given cash but rather  they pay for what the company needs to produce goods and services.

Meanwhile, ZimTrade is calling upon youths to apply for the Eagles Nest fourth season while the Nest She Exporter final will be held in February in preparation for the new season. —@SikhulekelaniM1