HARARE: Zimbabwean entrepreneurs abroad have teamed up with local businesspeople in a network that will allow them to share market intelligence on business opportunities.
The Business Ideas Group (BIG) Network seeks to raise the participation of Diasporan entrepreneurs in the country’s economy.
BIG Network founder, Mr Danai Gombera, said in a statement recently that the network would be launched in Harare on Thursday. He said the launch would present an opportunity to Zimbabweans to register their interest in the proposed consortium and discuss strategies and action plans.
“We started less than two months ago and we have more than 300 potential investors who have signed up,” said Mr Gombera.
“We have managed to form a healthy consortium comprising dedicated medical professionals and entrepreneurs to invest in the country’s health sector.
“BIG Network plans to create a rail consortium to purchase a stake in the National Railways of Zimbabwe following Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu’s invitation to private players.”
Mr Gombera said businesspeople from various sectors would attend the launch.
“The network’s primary aim is to facilitate collective working and to explore ways of investing in the development of the country,” he said.
“It will also focus on fostering and promoting the development of indigenous-owned enterprises in Zimbabwe.”
He said the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in Zimbabwe needed to be harnessed and nurtured through platforms such as BIG Network.
The Big Network has also formed a health consortium comprising dedicated and committed medical professionals and entrepreneurs to invest in the country’s health sector. Details of the consortium and its business objectives will be discussed at the launch. The initiative will also target social needs such as good quality health systems and plans to work with government to remove hindrances to investment in the health sector.
Gombera, who also heads Solar Nation and Primeworth Care in the UK, will travel from the UK with a team of other diaspora-based entrepreneurs to facilitate the launch event. These include Glorianne Francis, CEO of Gloramo Concierge and lifestyle Management Company and BIG Network’s head of communications; Dr Brighton Chireka, Medical Director of Starkmeditrip; Patrick Cheza, Director of Samano Minerals and Holdings and Group CEO of New Hope Specialist Ltd, and Anotida Senna who is the Operational Director for Almond Care Ltd.
The team is supported by leading Zimbabwe-based businesswomen Zodwa Mkandla of Traverze Travel and Vanessa Chiyangwa Chironga, director of Divaris Makaharis Schools and CEO of Peep Collection and LGS Bags.
