Cde Maponga Calls for Female Economic Revolution

Cde Vivian Vimbai Maponga, President for Youth in Politics and Governance and a newly recognised African Icon, yesterday electrified the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) with a powerful and unequivocal demand for the full economic integration and empowerment of women across all sectors.

Her impassioned tour of the nation’s premier trade exhibition served as a rallying cry, challenging both policy-makers and industry leaders to dismantle barriers and actively cultivate female leadership in agriculture, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and mining.

Cde Maponga’s presence at ZITF 2026, held under the theme “Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,” showed her unwavering commitment to fostering a generation of fearless, purpose-driven women at the forefront of Africa’s economic destiny .

Her message was clear: true industrialisation is unattainable without the active participation and leadership of women.

Fresh from her nomination for the prestigious Icons of Africa Awards 2026, where she will be honored for her dedication to shaping Africa’s political landscape and championing youth empowerment, Cde Maponga arrived in Bulawayo with a renewed sense of purpose.

“This award fuels my resolve to redouble efforts in empowering the girl child and young women across Zimbabwe and the broader African region,” she said.

“Women are the Backbone of Our Food Systems.”

Touring the agricultural exhibits, Cde Maponga highlighted the indispensable role of women in food production, advocating for a paradigm shift from subsistence to industrial-scale empowerment.

“As I walk through these halls at ZITF, witnessing the innovations in agriculture, I am reminded that women are the backbone of our food systems.

“We must move beyond subsistence farming and empower our female farmers with access to land, technology and markets. It is through their enhanced participation that we will truly industrialize our agricultural sector and ensure food security for our nation and the region.”

The vibrant SME sector, often a hotbed of female entrepreneurship, drew particular attention from Cde Maponga.

She lauded the resilience of women-led businesses while simultaneously challenging systemic obstacles.

“The vibrancy of our SMEs at ZITF is undeniable. Many of these businesses are driven by resilient women entrepreneurs,” she observed. “To truly craft an integrated economic landscape, we must dismantle the barriers they face, lack of capital, limited access to training and restrictive policies.

Investing in female-led SMEs is not just about gender equality; it is a strategic imperative for job creation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.”

Perhaps her most audacious call came from the mining pavilions, a sector historically dominated by men.

Cde Maponga envisioned a future where women are central to its operations and leadership.

“The mining sector, often perceived as male-dominated, holds immense potential for female empowerment.

“My visit to the mining exhibits here at ZITF reinforces my belief that women can and should play a more significant role, from artisanal mining to executive leadership.

We need deliberate policies that promote their safety, provide technical skills and ensure equitable opportunities. Empowering women in mining means unlocking new efficiencies and fostering responsible resource management for our collective prosperity.”

In a powerful summation of her ZITF experience, Cde Maponga reiterated her overarching vision for a truly integrated and equitable economy.

“The ZITF theme, ‘Industrialisation: Crafting an Integrated Economic Landscape,’ perfectly encapsulates my vision for female empowerment.”

“It is not enough to empower women in one sector; we must ensure their presence and influence are felt across agriculture, SMEs, mining, and every facet of our economy.

Their unique perspectives, resilience, and leadership are indispensable for building a truly integrated, competitive, and prosperous Africa.”

Cde Maponga’s tour of ZITF 2026 was more than just an attendance; it was a strategic platform to amplify her urgent call for a female economic revolution, positioning women as indispensable architects of Zimbabwe’s and Africa’s industrial future.