Brief Description

The unit supports economic activity, including job creation, skill building, entrepreneurship, livelihoods, and innovation, with links to gender and social protection. This builds on past Country Office work in all of these areas including the targeting of the poorest districts for livelihoods support based on local endowments, as well as work with young people to help them conduct ‘Farming as a Business’. Livelihood support has also included the establishment of value-addition centers for honey, dried fruits and wood (furniture). 

The Unit has also provided entrepreneurship support for women and youth including through Youth Connekt Zimbabwe. Youth-facing support has primarily focused on innovation-based enterprise and digital skills through the MicroWorkspace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1MvreT-YiU ) while also helping recent graduates into employment working with the private sector. With the growing opportunity presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, the Prosperity unit has been supporting the actualization of the AfCFTA working with business umbrella bodies and with youth and women-owned Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Recognizing the growing importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability, the Unit has also worked with growth-stage enterprises to help position them for responsible business practices.