NetOne to capacitate SMEs

Business
Mobile operator NetOne has partnered with the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development in implementing a mentorship programme to capacitate SMEs in Zimbabwe.

Mobile operator NetOne has partnered with the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development in implementing a mentorship programme to capacitate Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe.

BY TARISAI MANDIZHA

Speaking at the just-ended SME’s International Expo in Harare, NetOne marketing development manager Nancy Murove said the programme was still at the grassroots level and aimed at assisting all the SME’s in Zimbabwe.

“We are in partnership with the Ministry of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development so that we bring technology to the people and help them to access services, get information on the local market, send and receive money or even [in the] payment of bills. The programme is still at the initial stages and is being targeted at all SMEs around the country,” Murove said.

She said NetOne was also working on project e-agriculture with a number of companies to ensure that people are able to get information to the farming community.

Murove said SMEs have been credited with tremendous contribution towards growth and sustenance of economies around the world, through production and creation of employment.

SMEs range from farmers, constructors, traders and manufacturers as well as service providers.

She said although SMEs face multiple operational and business challenges, there can be overcome, enabling the sector to contribute greatly to the economy. This, she said, can be achieved if the sector embraces technology and innovation in the ever-changing and demanding business environment.

“Adoption of technology and innovation by SMEs has always been and continues to be determined by multiple factors which require a holistic approach if the full benefits of technology and innovation are to be realised,” Murove said.

Murove however said the other challenges being faced by SMEs were limited to a lack of access to regional and international markets, capital constraints and lack of secure and efficient payment systems.

She urged SMEs to take advantage of the available communication services being offered by NetOne which will enable them to do online sourcing, allowing identification of suppliers easily and cutting on costs.

“Use of digital tools opens up access to regional and international markets online. A combination of internet availability and mobile money platforms in their variant forms of electronic payments solutions offer efficiency, security and convenience in buying — no stringent registration requirements and most agents are closer to where SMEs operate — NetOne offers security and convenience and allows for efficient funds transfer,” she said.

Murove said through partnerships with specialists, consultants, NGOs and governmental department’s, e-platforms offered by NetOne can be developed for the dissemination of important information on policy direction, finance, consultancy services and mentorship.

“It is believed that, with right synergies and harnessing of technology and innovation, SMEs in Zimbabwe and Africa can develop to rival those of other countries like South Korea where the giants started off as SMEs.

The FinScope Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Survey 2012 revealed that there were 2,8 million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) owners in Zimbabwe, owning 3,5 million businesses and employing a total of 2,9 million people, excluding the business owners.

According to the survey, turnover of the MSME sector in 2012 was estimated to be at least US$7,4 billion.

The SMEs sector in Zimbabwe, now accounts for about 90% of the country’s employable population.