Small businesses hard hit by conflict, instability: SME Competitiveness Outlook

(Geneva) – The flagship report of the International Trade Centre (ITC), SME Competitiveness Outlook 2023, released today, reveals that small businesses can take action to survive and grow in fragile, conflict-affected contexts. Small businesses make up 90% of all businesses in fragile settings – and when they survive, they provide many of the jobs, goods and…

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LIMCOM 20th anniversary: Celebrating managing transboundary water issues

Own Correspondent November 2023 marks exactly 20 years since the four countries that share the Limpopo River – Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe – signed the LIMCOM Agreement to establish the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM). We wish to pay tribute to those who conceptualized this common vision for LIMCOM Member States to work together…

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Sustain and expand Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative gains: Stakeholders

Stakeholders have been called upon to sustain and expand the gains of the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative and to accelerate the implementation of the High-Level Political Compact on Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices, which is aligned with the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030. This came to the fore in an address delivered on…

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Seeds for the Future participants laud Huawei for the life-changing experience

By Lloyd Rabaya With technology improving on a daily basis, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, Seeds for the Future program beneficiaries have lauded the company for the frontage they received while participating in the competitions. In Zimbabwe, there has been a gap between the school and the industry, but Huawei is on the drive to fill…

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UNWTO workshop puts focus on modern, dynamic tourism communications for Africa

UNWTO brought together top tourism and travel practitioners from 20 countries across Africa to explore ways to deliver more effective tourism communications and showcase the sector’s role as a pillar of development. The first Communications, Media, and Tourism Training Workshop in Africa (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, 13-15 November) recognized the heightened relevance of tourism and the…

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Tourism and Hospitality Industry drives efforts to achieve Vision 2030

Hon Barbra Rwodzi, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has said the sector is a key driver in efforts to achieve Vision 2030 as enunciated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa for the country to become an upper-middle income economy by 2030. Hon Rwodzi made the remarks at the 2023 Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) conference…

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Women Supporting Women Network joins global call to end violence against women and girls

The Women Supporting Women Network, WSWN, a non-profit organisation, joins the global call to end violence against women and girls by advocating for increased investment in women’s organisations, better legislation, prosecution of perpetrators, more services for survivors, and training for law enforcement officials. The organisation recognises that violence against women and girls is not inevitable,…

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NetOne holds Fundraising Dinner for Albinism Network Zimbabwe

Mobile telephony giant, NetOne, demonstrated its commitment to ameliorating challenges faced by people with albinism by holding a Fundraising Dinner for The Albinism Network Zimbabwe yesterday at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare. Mr. Blessing Chikuhwa,  the Chairman of Albinism Network Zimbabwe said his organisation is a charitable organization whose sole mission is to improve…

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From COP27 to COP28 – key factors for Africa ahead of 2023 Climate Change Conference

Writes Tshepo Ntsane The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) represents an important international forum for countries to gather to discuss and address global climate change issues. However, to date, these conferences have tended to be high-level and process-based, and COP 27 was no exception –…

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Let’s uphold children’s right to education: UN’s Edward Kallon

At the momentous occasion of World Children’s Day, Mr. Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe urged stakeholders to advocate for the rights of children, with a particular emphasis on the right to education. He was speaking on World Children’s Day on Thursday 23 November 2023 in Beitbridge at an event…

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NetOne takes albinism awareness to Midlands as CSR campaign goes countrywide

Own Correspondent Zimbabwe’s telecommunications giant, NetOne, continues with its Albinism Campaign. The campaign is a country-wide tour to spread awareness of the rare condition that some of our colleagues live with daily. NetOne has placed itself as a national leader when it comes to issues to do with Corporate Social Responsibility and community-based projects. The…

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Holly Budge wins Gold Stevie® Award for ‘Woman of the Year in Non-Profit

Holly Budge, Founder and Chairman of UK Charity, How Many Elephants, recently won a Gold Stevie® Award for ‘Woman of the Year in Non-Profit’ in the 20th Stevie® Awards for Women in Business, held in New York City. The Stevie® Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards. President, Maggie Miller, says, “In…

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Experience The Magic of Christmas: Win Big This Festive Season with OneMoney

Own Correspondent In a thrilling turn of events, OneMoney, the trailblazing provider of telecommunication services, is all set to transform your Christmas season into an enchanting wonderland. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary promotional event that will add a sprinkle of euphoria to your festivities, leaving you in awe of the joys that lie ahead. At…

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Power Giants directors scoop top gongs

Business Reporter In yet another validation for Zimbabwe’s trailblazing energy entity, Power Giants, its top directors scooped the much coveted prestigious accolades at the just-ended Annual National Iconic Entrepreneurs Awards and the Professional Excellence Awards (2023) held in the capital, Harare. Power Giants Transmission Director, Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa who is also the Afro Eurasia Energy…

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Researchers predict climate change-driven reduction in beneficial plant microbes

Bacteria that benefit plants are thought to be a critical contributor to crops and other ecosystems, but climate change may reduce their numbers, according to a new study by an international team of researchers. They published their findings in Nature Food. The collaboration, including Francisco Dini-Andreote, professor of plant science at Penn State, characterized the abundances…

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World Toilet Day: ZLHR urges fixing of sanitation crisis

Writes Kumbirai Mafunda   ON WORLD Toilet Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) implored local and central government and other stakeholders to accelerate change in tackling the worsening sanitation crisis in the country and arrest the outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases. World Toilet Day, which has been an annual United Nations (UN)…

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Takura’s Katundu Katurikwa passes clean environment message to the future

Writes Tinashe Muchuri Tawanda Takura’s A Gathering: Katundu Katurikwa solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe that premiered on the 5th of October passes the clean environment message to the future. The title of the exhibition is a combination of two Shona words, which are katundu for luggage, baggage, or burden and katurikwa referring…

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Benefits of consolidating government programs and development initiatives

Writes Charles Dhewa The benefits of collaborating and building partnerships to solve shared problems like climate change seem very obvious. Mounting evidence indicates that dividing issues into themes often breaks natural synergies, for instance, between agriculture, environment, energy, mobility, and other issues that should be approached holistically. However, the fact that many development organizations and…

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AMR poses threat to public health and sustainable food production

Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) poses an increasingly serious threat to public health and sustainable food production, necessitating an effective response involving all sectors of government and society, stakeholders attending the World AMR Awareness Week in Zimbabwe have said. Addressing delegates during the official opening ceremony of the 5th Continental World Antimicrobial Awareness Week for Africa in…

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Parliament committed to the Elimination of Violence against Women

Zimbabwe is committed to the elimination of violence against women as demonstrated by the willingness of Parliament to join the international community in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence running from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10 which itself is a Human…

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Netone-sponsored fitness marathon promotes environmental protection, tourism development

Leading mobile telephony company, NetOne, has demonstrated its deep commitment to sustainability, and responsible governance by sponsoring a fitness marathon. Addressing journalists in the capital city yesterday, Mr. Learnmore Musunda, the company’s General Manager, speaking on behalf of Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raphael Mushanawani, said NetOne recognizes the vital importance of achieving the goals…

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Minister Chombo praises Grace Gaidzanwa for impressive agricultural enterprise

Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – A Chinhoyi-based young woman has caught the eyes of Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo after she turned an urban piece of land into a vibrant agriculture enterprise boasting of a fish farming project. Grace Gaidzanwa erected a small dam from the harvested…

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Minister reads a riot act on Zvimba Council over sewer challenges

Writes Elvis Dumba Raffingora – Residents of Raffingora Township in Zvimba District are living in fear of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera due to the raw sewer effluent which is now a common feature in this small farming community. Residents of Raffingora petitioned the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for…

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EU EOM Zimbabwe final 2023 report recommends improvement of future electoral processes

Today, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Zimbabwe published its final report on the 23 August 2023 harmonised elections. This report offers a set of key recommendations to improve future electoral processes. EU EOM Chief Observer, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, underscored in the final report presentation: “While election day was largely calm, it…

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AfDB supports small livestock farmers in Zambia to adapt to climate change

With 96.7% of households adopting new production practices for milk, the nutritional benefits for adults and children have also improved The Climate Resilient Livestock Management Project, implemented by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) in Zambia between 2017 and 2022, has helped to equip small livestock farmers to adapt to climate change. In particular, the percentage…

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AGRA’s Extension Model Hits 11m Farmers With New Technologies

The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has recounted the efforts it made towards implementing its mandate, saying it has reached over 11 million farmers in Nigeria. The Country Director of AGRA, Rufus Idris, disclosed this during the just concluded Africa–Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) in Abuja. Idris, while receiving an award for AGRA’s…

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Symposium enhances civic participation in water and environmental governance

The Network for Environmental and Climate Justice in collaboration with the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter held an Accountability for Water and Environment Symposium on 15 November 2023 in Harare. The symposium sought to enhance civic participation in water and environmental governance as well as…

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US-based academic guru proffers solutions on inclusive education in Zimbabwe

Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa A United States-based academic, Professor Morgan Chitiyo has proffered recommendations on how Zimbabwe can improve on inclusive education. The University of North Carolina Lecturer Professor Morgan Chitiyo told this publication that there was a need for all teachers to be capacitated on special education knowledge. “Everything should start with teacher preparation and…

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Implementation of innovation, knowledge-led initiatives transforms economies: Dr Bayisa Bedada

Dr. Bayisa Bedada, the State Minister of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia has encouraged African countries to accelerate economic transformation through knowledge-based and innovation-led initiatives. He made the remarks today at a stakeholder validation meeting of genome editing communication and advocacy training materials and curriculum underway in Addis Ababa from 15 to…

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Chido Mpemba bemoans isolation as UN Commission on Social Connection is launched

World Health Organization virtually launched its Commission on Social Connection, which will have its Secretariat housed at the UN headquarters in Switzerland running under a 3-year term with members from various institutions. The 7-member Commission was appointed by the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyusus, and will be Co-Chaired by Commissioner Chido Mpemba, who is…

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Combating NTDs: vaccination remains key

Writes Lovemore Chazingwa (Health Reporter) Empirical medical evidence has proved that mass drug administration is among the key ways to combat infection and possible death from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This is opposed to seeking treatment after infection, which requires huge financial outlays, normally out of reach among impoverished citizens. Mass drug administration remains cardinal…

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Workshop validates genome editing communication training materials and curriculum

A three-day workshop kicked off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today to validate genome editing training materials and curriculum that will be used at the continental level to communicate new breeding tools and create awareness of the technology meant to optimize African agriculture. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Kassahun Tesfaye, the Director General of the Ethiopian…

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Care Zimbabwe and partners deploy automated weather station in Manicaland

In a collaborative endeavor to enhance disaster preparedness, CARE International in Zimbabwe and Caritas Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) of Zimbabwe, have successfully deployed an automated weather station at Cloudland in Ward 33, situated within the Vumba area of Mutare District. This initiative which was spearheaded through the Strengthening Disaster Preparedness…

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Africa shifts towards genetic modification to boost food security

The designation of Ghana as the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) collaborating center for Africa, focusing on plant breeding and associated technologies for food and nutrition, is being seen as a pivotal moment in the application of genetic modification in Africa. In a recent press statement, the IAEA announced its collaboration with the Biotechnology and…

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2023 Ashden Awards – African climate solutions lead the way in clean energy, nature protection and farming

Africa was centre stage in the 2023 Ashden Awards with four of the five global South winners being African low carbon innovators and one receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award. Three more were from the UK.     Winners from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Cameroon were celebrated for driving radical progress in tackling the biggest climate challenges –…

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Local NGO a voice for the voiceless

Writes Pabalelo Tlou Margret Chogugudza, director of Rural Young Women Support Network says her NGO is determined to expose and seek solutions to the challenges that young women within the mining sector are experiencing on a daily basis. Speaking to this publication, Chogugudza said the main objective of the NGO is to bridge the gap…

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