Bulawayo launches MSME directory
IN a move meant to enhance access to services, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has launched the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Service Directory for the city of Bulawayo.
Representing the Bulawayo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Paul Nyoni, the Director for Provincial Coordination in the Women Affairs Ministry, Ms Boetsoarelo Immaculate Noko, said the directory will empower and elevate the MSMEs that are the key drivers of economic development.
Bulawayo Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Paul Nyoni.
“This momentous occasion is the culmination of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, DanChurchAid Zimbabwe and the Bulawayo City Council. Together, we have worked tirelessly to create a resource that will empower and elevate the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are the backbone of our local economy,” she said.
Ms Noko noted that the city has many MSMEs that face challenges when it comes to accessing funds.
“According to the National MSME Survey (2021), Bulawayo is home to 200 000 MSMEs and 9,8 percent of them indicated that they had failed to access services in the form of funding, registration, licensing and business legal advice among other services,” she said.
The launch of the tool is set to usher in a new era of opportunity for entrepreneurs and business owners, as they have faced significant barriers in accessing the resources, networks and visibility they need to thrive.
“This directory is much more than just a list of service providers and suppliers. It is a centralised platform that will enhance the visibility and accessibility of our MSMEs, allowing them to showcase their products and services to a wider customer base, both within Bulawayo and the region,” said Ms Noko.
In addition, she said it will facilitate improved networking and collaboration among MSMEs, enabling them to forge strategic alliances, explore joint ventures and unlock new avenues for growth and innovation.
Ms Noko highlighted the key roles the directory will play in driving economic development.
“As we launch this MSMEs Service Directory, we are not just unveiling a static resource — we are igniting a spark that will drive sustainable economic development in Bulawayo. By highlighting the diverse range of products and services offered by our local businesses, we will encourage residents to support their community and strengthen our local economy,” she said.
The directory will also serve as a powerful tool in assisting policymakers, business support organisations, and MSMEs to leverage valuable market intelligence. The directory will guide strategic planning, inform policy development and facilitate targeted interventions to support the growth of the MSME sector.
Ms Noko urged business organisations to make use of the tool as it will unlock the full potential of Bulawayo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“I urge our MSMEs, our residents and our business support organisations to embrace this resource, to use it, to leverage it and let it be the driving force that propels Bulawayo’s economy into a future of prosperity and growth,” she said.-chroncile
