Staff Writer 
THE National Venture Capital Company of Zimbabwe (NVCCZ) will stimulate the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and drive economic growth, minister of Finance, Mthuli Ncube, says.
Speaking at the launch of the company recently, Ncube said the initiative aims to address the critical funding gap often faced by startups and early-stage businesses, providing them with capital and support to scale up and compete globally.
“As we launch this initiative, we recognise the immense potential of Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are committed to supporting innovative ideas, creating jobs, and contributing to the country’s economic development,” Ncube said.
He called for the creation of centres for entrepreneurship at higher learning institutions as part of the value chain for nurturing entrepreneurs.
Ncube said entrepreneurship centres would play a crucial role by providing training and facilitating collaborations between aspiring entrepreneurs and venture capital companies.
The venture capital initiative will focus on providing “patient capital,” a term for investments with longer time horizons, allowing startups the time needed to develop and mature.
In addition to funding, the programme will offer mentorship and strategic guidance, crucial elements for navigating the challenges of early-stage growth.
The initiative comes at a time when Zimbabwe is actively seeking to diversify its economy and foster innovation.
Speaking at the same event, NVCCZ chairman, Henry Ruzvidzo, said the company will catalyse the venture capital space and marshall resources to stimulate the growth of enterprises.
“In an ever-evolving global economic environment, the ability to support and nurture new ideas, ventures, and businesses is critical if we are to remain competitive as an economy,” he said.
NVCCZ chief executive, Tinotenda Kambasha, said going into the venture capital landscape would play a crucial role in identifying and supporting entrepreneurs with innovative solutions to address pressing national challenges.
Three projects were showcased during the launch of the NVCCZ – Pured Agro Processors, Kumba Care, and Mobility for Africa.
Pured Agro Processors, founded by Tsepo Manganda, processes tomatoes into powder to minimise post-harvest losses for small-scale farmers.
KumbaCare, a telemedicine application designed to improve access to affordable healthcare in rural Zimbabwe, was founded by Agatha Mandova, while Mobility for Africa, founded by Shantha Bloemen, is an electric scooter startup aimed at addressing the significant burden of manual labour, particularly for women in rural Africa.
The NVCCZ was set up in 2021 to support startups and SMEs with funding and strategic partnerships although it only began operations mid-year 2024.
In the 2025 national budget presented last month, NVCCZ was allocated ZiG180 million. – Staff Writer
