MEGAFEST Holdings (Megafest) has launched a targeted initiative to support female-led small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe through its Motivate Women’s Forum, offering mentorship and networking opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
The initiative comes at a time when many women entrepreneurs are struggling to access financing, markets and mentorship in an economy marked by inflationary pressures and limited formal support structures.
Despite their growing presence in various sectors, women in business often remain excluded from mainstream economic opportunities, prompting the need for focused empowerment efforts.
Speaking to NewsDay in an interview, Megafest public relations manager Vuyolethu Moyo said the company had observed an increasing number of women entering various sectors of the economy, which called for a more robust and inclusive empowerment strategy.
“The current situation in Zimbabwe affects women in business because there are fewer organisations focused on women empowerment,” she said.
“We need to improve our strategies so that we can empower women across all industries, especially as more of them step into male-dominated sectors.”
The Motivate Women’s Forum was launched as part of Megafest’s commitment to creating an inclusive business environment that nurtures women’s potential, particularly in the face of Zimbabwe’s volatile economic climate.
“We created an opportunity for every young upcoming entrepreneur or SME to be mentored by seasoned business gurus in our network,” Moyo said.
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“It’s a platform that brings experienced industry players together with aspiring women in business.”
The forum offers a range of initiatives, including masterclasses, business conferences, and mentorship programmes, all aimed at equipping women with skills, networks and business insights.
“What we’ve done is create a space for women to connect, learn and grow. We’ve held conferences and masterclasses across Zimbabwe, and we continue to see promising results,” Moyo said.
The forum has also become a space where young entrepreneurs share experiences and find common ground to navigate the challenges of running a business in Zimbabwe.
“We’ve realised that in order to grow the SME sector, we must help these young businesses identify and overcome common obstacles. That’s why mentorship and networking are at the core of our approach,” she said.
Through the Motivate Women’s Forum, Megafest is contributing to national efforts to strengthen women’s participation in the economy by offering sustainable support structures.
“As Megafest, we are proud to be part of the drive to empower women across the nation. There’s still a lot to be done, but we believe this is a step in the right direction,” Moyo said.
