By Godfrey M Bonda and Aldridge Dzvene
Harare – EmpowerBank has intensified its push for grassroots financial inclusion following an engagement with Single Ladies for Economic Development, where women and youths were encouraged to position themselves not only as banking clients, but as active participants in Zimbabwe’s emerging empowerment economy.
The interaction reflected a broader shift in the country’s empowerment model, where financial institutions are increasingly moving beyond conventional banking into community based economic mobilisation targeting previously underserved groups, particularly women, youths, and informal entrepreneurs.
Delegates were informed that members can become EmpowerBank agents and facilitate banking services within their communities, a development aimed at expanding financial accessibility while creating income generating opportunities at grassroots level.
Officials also revealed that a new co banking system is set to be introduced, signalling efforts to modernise financial service delivery and widen participation in formal banking structures.
The engagement highlighted growing collaboration between financial institutions and development focused organisations, with the Zimbabwe Agriculture Trust entering into partnership with EmpowerBank in programmes specifically targeting women and youths.
This convergence between finance and empowerment institutions reflects an evolving economic strategy under Vision 2030, where access to capital is increasingly viewed as central to transforming livelihoods and stimulating entrepreneurship.
Participants were reminded of the US$1 million Youth Fund launched by Emmerson Mnangagwa, which continues to anchor government efforts toward youth empowerment and enterprise development.
Officials said EmpowerBank remains focused on creating financial pathways for young people and small scale entrepreneurs often excluded from mainstream banking systems. Particular emphasis was placed on the Tutuka Loan facility, which targets individuals operating informal businesses and micro enterprises.
The facility is expected to provide a financial bridge for many informal traders and small business operators who traditionally struggle to secure collateral based loans from commercial banks.
Beyond banking services, the engagement reflected a wider economic reality, that Zimbabwe’s informal sector is increasingly becoming the centre of economic survival and enterprise activity. Financial inclusion initiatives targeting grassroots entrepreneurs are therefore emerging not merely as social programmes, but as strategic interventions aimed at integrating informal business activity into the broader economy.
The engagement also reinforced the growing role of women centred economic groups in community mobilisation and entrepreneurship development, particularly as Zimbabwe advances policies aimed at broadening participation in production, trade, and value creation under NDS2.
