The Zimbabwean government is making notable efforts to bridge the gap between education and industry through initiatives that emphasize entrepreneurship and incorporate emerging technologies. This was evident at the 2024 National Business Case Harare Province competition held at Prince Edward School.
Dr. Patrick Ngandini, the Ministry of Education’s research director, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in fostering economic growth and job creation. He noted, “Education should go beyond acquiring knowledge; it should equip individuals with the skills to shape their future paths.”
Aligned with the National Development Strategy 1, the competition showcased education as a crucial driver of economic and social progress. By tackling practical business challenges, it aimed to encourage strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving among participants.
The event, themed ‘entrepreneurship education for a better future,’ received significant support from development partners like Emergination Africa. This support was essential in facilitating the competition and advancing the government’s goal of integrating business skills into the educational curriculum.
Dr. Ngandini emphasized the government’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship education and nurturing future leaders and innovators. The competition also highlighted practical skills development as a vital aspect of education, with a focus on reducing financial burdens on parents through effective implementation.
Innovative projects at the competition included a banana peel water filter created to purify water and eliminate odors, and geo-plastic bottles designed to offer sustainable packaging solutions. Both projects demonstrated practical applications and the potential for further development.
Emergination Africa’s Mr. Farai Mushawasha emphasized the organization’s vision to equip students with business skills and support schools in becoming self-sustaining. He stated, “This competition showcases student innovations and rewards top projects to inspire further creativity.”
Emergination Africa plans to provide $5,000 to support the top innovators in launching their businesses, with the competition set to continue across the remaining provinces and culminate in a final event next year to select the top five projects.
The government’s renewed focus on entrepreneurship education and strategic partnerships aims to pave the way for a brighter future for Zimbabwe, with a vision of becoming a prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030.
