Mazowe — In a remarkable show of youthful ambition and innovation, 17-year-old Tino Tungwarara has become one of Zimbabwe’s youngest retail business owners with the official opening of her supermarket, Prevail Mart, in Mazowe this week.

The grand opening ceremony attracted a vibrant mix of community members, local dignitaries, and business associates — among them Josey Mahachi, the facilitator of billionaire Aliko Dangote’s upcoming visit to Zimbabwe. Mahachi, herself a symbol of women’s empowerment, described Tino’s milestone as an inspiring example of what young women can achieve with vision and determination.

Prevail Mart’s mission, according to its founders, is to offer affordable, high-quality products to the Mazowe community, combining modern retail efficiency with a personal, community-centered approach.

Tino, who frequently shares her passion for leadership and entrepreneurship on social media, said the supermarket represents more than just a business venture — it’s a manifestation of her dream to empower communities and inspire young people, especially girls, to take charge of their futures.

“I’m deeply grateful for the mentorship and encouragement I’ve received. Prevail Mart is not just a store — it’s proof that age should never limit your potential if you have the right guidance and discipline,” she said during the launch.

Tino’s father, Dr. Paul Tungwarara, who serves as Special Advisor to the President, has played a vital role in cultivating her entrepreneurial spirit. Known for his business insight and mentorship, Dr. Tungwarara has long championed youth empowerment — values that his daughter now embodies through her own venture.

Her success story echoes the Second Republic’s drive, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, to strengthen youth and women participation in Zimbabwe’s economic development. It’s a tangible reminder that when young people are mentored with purpose, they can lead with confidence and shape meaningful change.

Tino’s journey also mirrors global examples of young entrepreneurs breaking barriers. One such figure is Lily Adeleye, who made history at just five years old as the youngest African-American entrepreneur to have her fashion brand, Lily Frilly, stocked in major U.S. stores such as Walmart and Target.

While Tino may be a decade older, her success positions her as Zimbabwe’s own version of Lily Adeleye — a bold young woman proving that innovation, confidence, and hard work can indeed prevail.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to tobacco production, describing it as a vital economic lifeline despite growing global pressure to limit the industry.

Officially opening the T5 Meeting in Harare on Wednesday, Minister Masuka welcomed international delegates and expressed hope that the deliberations would strengthen the position of tobacco-producing nations ahead of the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP11) and Meeting of Parties (MOP4) to be held in Geneva later this month.

T5 MeetingThe T5 group, comprising the world’s top five tobacco-producing countries, met to strategize on defending their shared interests amid what Masuka described as “a global lobby that seeks to ban tobacco production, jeopardising the livelihoods of millions of farmers in developing countries.”

Masuka revealed that Zimbabwe had achieved a record 355 million kilogrammes of tobacco in the 2024/25 season, the highest in the country’s history. The golden leaf earned farmers USD1.2 billion, with an average of USD9,000 per grower across 135,000 producers.

He noted that all T5 countries had registered both volume and value growth during the past season, a sign of resilience in the face of international pressure.

“Smoking is an adult choice. And for our economies, tobacco is a legal crop that should continue to be grown without any fear,” he said.

The Minister outlined Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, which aims to grow annual production to 500 million kilogrammes by 2030, add value to 100 million kilogrammes, localise 50% of financing, and develop a USD7 billion industry within the next five years.

However, he acknowledged several challenges confronting the sector, including the WHO led anti smoking campaign, environmental concerns, stricter traceability requirements, and child labour accusations.

Masuka emphasised that the ongoing reforms and the T5’s coordinated approach were designed to counter these headwinds while ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and economic growth.

The T5 Meeting, hosted in Harare, serves as a preparatory platform for coordinated positions ahead of COP11 and MOP4 in Geneva, Switzerland, set to begin on November 17.