A delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB) is in Bulawayo to assess progress on its two key empowerment projects being implemented in the city.
These are the Sustainable Enterprise Development for Women and Youth (SEDWAY) textile factory, and the Skills for Youth and Women Employability and Productivity projects.
The SEDWAY factory, co-funded by AfDB and the government, is expected to produce specialized equipment to support women and youth in the textile industry.
AfDB senior education analyst and taskteam leader John Ng’ambi, said they were excited that the textile factory was almost 80% complete.
"We are here to ensure that SEDWAY and SYWEP deliver real skills and real jobs for women and youth. The textile factory is a key anchor, and our goal is to see it fully equipped and producing so that young people and women can access decent work and build sustainable enterprises," said Ng’ambi.
The delegation paid a courtesy call on Bulawayo mayor David Coltart, acting town clerk Sikhangele Zhou, and departmental heads.
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"We appreciate the African Development Bank for walking this journey with us. Beyond SEDWAY, our partnership is also visible through the Bulawayo water and sewerage services improvement project and the ongoing discussions on the Glassblock Bopoma Dam. These are strategic investments that directly improve livelihoods in Bulawayo," said Coltart.
Zhou commended AfDB for its continued support to the city.
"The SEDWAY factory will equip our women and youth with the tools they need to compete. As council, we are committed to ensuring the facility is operational and that beneficiaries are ready to take up the opportunities it creates," he said.
The two AfDB-funded projects are expected to boost productivity, skills development, and job creation for women women and youth in Bulawayo’s textile sector