ZBFH backs next generation of innovators
Chengetai Murimwa
ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) says it remains committed to investing in young innovators as part of a broader push to accelerate economic growth and strengthen Zimbabwe’s innovation ecosystem.
ZBFH Chief Corporate Services Officer Clement Kahiya said the institution views youth-driven innovation as “a strategic engine for national development,” adding that the bank will continue to nurture ideas and build the skills needed to propel the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking at the launch of the Ruwa Social Innovation Hub, Zimbabwe’s first Public–Private Youth Partnership, Kahiya said empowering young people with knowledge, mentorship and opportunity positions them as “the heartbeat of economic growth and champions of social change.”
He said the hub responds directly to some of Zimbabwe’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, including high youth unemployment, digital exclusion and rising social vulnerabilities.
“By offering digital learning, coaching and enterprise support, the hub opens doors for young people who might otherwise be left behind. It builds confidence, sparks innovation and creates pathways to meaningful work,” he said.
Kahiya added that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals — particularly those related to quality education, decent work, reduced inequalities and strong partnerships — while simultaneously supporting national development policy.
He said ZBFH will continue collaborating with Government, especially the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Development, as well as development partners and young innovators, to build “a Zimbabwe where every young person has the tools and confidence to thrive.”
Kahiya also highlighted that once young innovators develop prototypes, ZBFH stands ready to support the commercialisation process, reinforcing the group’s commitment to long-term partnerships that fuel entrepreneurship and job creation.
UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative Etona Ekole says strong Public–Private Partnerships are essential for creating spaces where young people can gain innovative skills and real economic opportunities. Speaking at the official handover of the Ruwa Social Innovation Hub, Ekole said the new Public–Private Youth Partnership will play a critical role in driving skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship among Zimbabwe’s youth.
The Ruwa Social Innovation Hub was established through a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, UNICEF, ZB Bank, BOOST Fellowship Trust, and the European Union.
