Government is accelerating its drive to provide safe, decent and affordable workspaces for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and informal traders, as part of a national strategy to boost economic growth, promote formalisation and uplift community livelihoods.
In line with this agenda, construction of the new Gazaland workspace in Highfield, Harare, is almost complete marking a major milestone in efforts to modernise trading environments across the country.
The Gazaland complex has been designed to meet contemporary business needs, featuring glass and aluminium partitions, warehouse space, upgraded ablution blocks, and infrastructure that accommodates people with disabilities. Once operational, the facility will house over 50 traders in one of Harare’s busiest industrial corridors.
Speaking during a tour yesterday, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, reaffirmed the central role MSMEs play in Zimbabwe’s economic growth.
“MSMEs are the heartbeat of the economy, with over three million operators.
“Government continues constructing SME infrastructure from the Mbare Market Hub to facilities in Masvingo and Chiredzi,” she said.
She added that ongoing initiatives include building factory shells, vendor marts, and multi-storey market malls in partnership with local authorities and private investors.
Chief Executive Officer of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO), Obert Ngwenya, said Treasury allocated ZWL660 million for workspace construction in 2022, targeting projects including the Gwanda Vendor Mart, Chikomba MSME Complex, and the Gazaland facility, which is now 95% complete.
He added that the Government is partnering with pension funds and private companies to strengthen financing and fast-track construction.
Harare Polytechnic Acting Principal Deborah Ruziwa said the project demonstrates how education and industry can work together under the Education 5.0 model.
“Our students have actively contributed their skills to this project. It shows how the Government is producing industry-ready graduates,” she said.
Traders have welcomed the development, describing it as a long-awaited step toward dignity, safety and improved business prospects.
One trader highlighted the business benefits.
“I operate by the roadside, so this space will not only be safer but will attract more customers. People prefer organised markets,” he said.
Another trader noted the broader impact of the new development.
“This is a huge development for Gazaland and surrounding communities. We saw progress at Mbare Musika now it is our turn. This will help us grow and be more visible,” trader explained.
Government says the goal is to move traders out of unsafe, illegal trading points and into designated, structured workspaces that support expansion, accountability and formalisation.
MSMEs contribute over 60% of Zimbabwe’s GDP, making them a crucial pillar of national development. Similar workspace projects are underway in Gwanda, Masvingo and Bulawayo, positioning small businesses to operate safely, grow sustainably and benefit from an increasingly modern economic landscape.
