HARARE – Entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers, and aspiring innovators gathered at the Harare International Conference Centre today for the Sharpe Business Academy Masterclass, where speakers highlighted innovation, skills development, value addition, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.
Sharpe Business Academy CEO Rutendo Mudzamiri hosted the event, which featured presentations from leading figures in business and government.
Delivering a presentation on innovation and business resilience, Dr. Lance Mambondiani challenged entrepreneurs to focus on solving problems rather than pursuing profits.
“Entrepreneurs should enter business to solve problems, not merely to make money. When you solve problems, money will always follow,” he said, while emphasizing the importance of building resilient businesses and creating generational wealth in a rapidly changing economy.
Chief Director in the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, Mr. Matorera, spoke on the role of skills development in unlocking growth, urging entrepreneurs to continuously invest in knowledge and capacity building.
Minister of Women Affairs and MSMEs Development Monica Mutsvangwa reflected on the gains of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and the need for economic empowerment.
“When we went to war, we never went to fight for a political party or a flag, but to see people progress,” she said, stressing the importance of creating opportunities that improve livelihoods and promote inclusive development.
Closing the masterclass, Minister of Industry and Commerce Mangaliso Ndlovu outlined strategies for sustainable business growth and competitiveness, while highlighting Zimbabwe’s progress in value addition and industrialisation.
He noted that Zimbabwe became the first African country to export lithium sulphate to China after ending the export of raw lithium, describing the development as a significant milestone in the country’s beneficiation agenda.
The minister also highlighted improvements in the country’s energy sector, noting that Zimbabwe has gone more than 200 days without load shedding, a development expected to support industrial productivity and business growth.
The masterclass concluded with calls for stronger collaboration between government, industry, and entrepreneurs to drive innovation, investment, and long-term economic prosperity.
