Hon. Alan John Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ghana, Allan Majuru, Chief Executive Officer, ZimTrade
Winner: Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable
ZimTrade
THE EAGLES’ NEST YOUTH INCUBATOR
‘We are leaving a legacy. Winning an international award is a first for ZimTrade and for the country.’
Allan Majuru Chief Executive Officer, ZimTrade
WHAT THE JUDGES SAY
‘Excellent project. Clear and well presented with the three key words—youth, export growth and value-added products.’
‘The objectives of 100 trained SMEs for 17 incubated allows a very impressive result of new exporters coming out of the programme.’
‘The export awareness process using social media and television is very clever, as is the tailor-made incubation of the selected projects.’
AT A GLANCE
Bringing youth into the formal economy
Sixty-two percent of people in Zimbabwe are under 25 years old. Youth compose a large part of the informal economy with high unemployment in this sector.
The informal labour force limits the growth of companies. Most informal trade is local or regional. Remaining in the informal sector means that youth cannot take advantage of trade agreements and economic partnerships within Africa and between Africa and the European Union among others.
Some youth-led companies have formalized. Still, they require technical skills, access to financing and market linkages.
Zimbabwe identified this critical need for a youth economic initiative. In response, ZimTrade developed the Eagles’ Nest Youth Incubator to move youth-led companies into the formal sector and become exporters.
The incubator combined small business development with a reality contest television show.
The pitching on television of the Eagles’ Nest attracted young people to join the programme.
LOOKING CLOSER
Future generations of exporters
ZimTrade found that, too often, youth-led companies remain at the resource level of supply chains. Young companies needed help moving up the supply chain for their own success and to contribute to the national export economy. In addition to the youth-led export goals, the initiative aimed to:
- Inform the public on export practices;
- Include all provinces;
- Expand food and value-added sectors; and
- Encourage women in business.
The reality show was borne of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Face-to-face meetings and client services moved online. ZimTrade started to film trainings for those who could not participate. From there, the contest grew into a television show to provide a goal for participating companies and to interest youth in export trade.
ZimTrade selected 100 applicants with export potential. Products or services needed to be innovative and able to grow. ZimTrade looked for companies that showed positive social and environmental impact.
Partners help eagles fly
The contest spanned 12 episodes in three phases:
- Pitch Contest – 100 shortlisted firms learned basic export skills and pitched their business concept to a panel of judges. Fifty companies moved up to phase 2.
- Incubator – 50 companies trained in capacity building, marketing and branding, quality control and financing. A second pitch contest produced 17 finalists for the next phase.
- Flight of the Eagle – Local experts advised the finalists on technical expertise. The ZimTrade team chose three winners.
Partners filled gaps in the incubator. For example, business leaders judged the pitches in the episodes. Other expert partners mentored finalists in the third phase of the contest. A partner bank tailored financing for 10 companies during the third phase.
Ten contestants received a package of focused support. ZimTrade brought the winners to Makoto, Zambia, to exhibit at a trade fair. Finalists continued mentorship with international senior expert organizations Programma Uitzending Managers, the Netherlands and Senior Expert Services, Germany. ZimTrade promoted incubator winners in their online shop Shop@Zim.
Manetain Organics products are finding their way to new markets such as Zambia and South Africa.
Young people pitch their ideas.
LEC Biotec’s new packaging and labelling
MEASURING SUCCESS
Three companies won the contest package, and 100 companies trained in the incubator. At the close of the programme, 14 companies were export ready and six companies were exporting.
Companies opened distributor shops in Zambia. One company signed a major contract with a buyer from South Africa. Other exporters found markets in Nigeria.
External institutions reached out to ZimTrade to start partnerships. Financial groups offered to develop resources for incubator companies. Future trainings with international expert organizations will bring greater understanding of sustainable processes and international markets.
Leading export awareness
The incubator measured export awareness through viewership. The TV show reached 90,000 viewers with the national broadcast and 10,000 people on social media.
ZimTrade is promoting the next round of the Eagles’ Nest through community radio stations and newspapers to attract small businesses beyond Harare Province.
‘My experience was unforgettable. The mentors from the Eagles’ Nest programme were able to point at areas I needed to adjust. One of the key points was making my product stand out, especially in international markets. Since entering the competition, my product has found its way to markets in southern Africa.’
Lienne Shonhiwa
Manetain Organics
‘The Eagles’ Nest helped me improve on how I run my business. Packaging and branding of my products has improved. I have been taking notes from business, especially our mentors, on how they have done it. I am now ready to do business in export markets.’
Sicelo Dube Founder of LEC Biotec
ZIMTRADE
CONTACT Allan Majuru Chief Executive Officer
ADDRESS 188 Sam Nujoma Street Avondale Harare Zimbabwe
WEBSITE www.tradezimbabwe.com
