THE Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development ministry has disclosed that the Sustainable Enterprise Development for Women and Youth (SEDWAY) project in Bulawayo is nearing completion, with 88% of the work done at the Bulawayo Textile and Manufacturing Centre.
The initiative aims to revive Bulawayo’s manufacturing base by creating affordable workspaces for small-scale textile producers, particularly women and youth, as part of broader efforts to stimulate micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) growth and job creation in the city.
According to Monica Mutsvangwa, minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the project is a partnership between her ministry, the International Labour Organisation and Bulawayo City Council, with co-funding from the African Development Bank.
“The project was a dilapidated building availed by the Bulawayo City Council and was renovated — meant to benefit 21 people (women, men and people with disabilities) involved in the textile manufacturing industry upon completion,” she said.
Mutsvangwa said the building had undergone significant renovations, including tiling, plastering, electrification and plumbing.
“The people will get working spaces in cubicles ranging from 11m2 to 17m2,” she said.
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Mutsvangwa added that installation of cubicles, ramps for accessibility and outside paving were outstanding, with overall progress at 88%.
She praised the SEDWAY project, expressing her vision to turn Bulawayo into a hub for micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development, and commended council for fostering sustainable collaboration with its partners.
“I envision Bulawayo as the leading city in supporting MSME development,” the minister said, urging the local authority to provide more spaces for entrepreneurs.
She emphasised that the ministry is eager to partner the city to reduce poverty and boost economic growth.
With strategic partnerships and increased support for MSMEs, Bulawayo is poised to become a national model for small business development, driving job creation, poverty reduction and economic empowerment.