ZOIC supports the following programmes:

The entrepreneurship and business development program

The mission of the Entrepreneurship and Business Development (EBD) program at ZOIC is to assist small- and micro-businesses to increase their earnings, access capital and improve their wealth creation ability.  Toward this end, the EBD program provides capacity building support in business development and microfinance services to ZOIC programs and other local providers serving the small- and micro-enterprise sector.  ZOIC uses market-driven business development and microfinance service products to help resource-poor entrepreneurs improve their profits and productivity and enter self-employment.  In particular, the EBD program targets small- and micro-business owners with growth potential, aspiring entrepreneurs in expanding economic sectors, unemployed at-risk youths, farmers, poor women in rural areas, and adults with potential self-employment capacity in Zimbabwe.  Communities with ZOIC Business Development Services programs include Chimanimani, Bikita, Gutu and Masvingo (Chivi).

Business development services and technology support

ZOIC has joined hands with the Development Technology Centre, a University of Zimbabwe-based appropriate technology support for rural-based small enterprises.  Both organisations agree that business development services and technology support have become highly important BDS interventions in all attempts to grow small enterprises, generate wealth for the rural poor and create employment for Zimbabwe’s youth. 

The BDS services offered by ZOIC and DTC include: training-of-trainers, assistance in product development, market assessment and technology support, as integral parts of its capacity building process.  The two organisations collaborate with ZOIC affiliates and other local partners in developing market-driven BDS products for maximum outreach, impact and cost-effectiveness. 

ZOIC’s and its local partners’ BDS products range from training on how to start a business, feasibility studies, market surveys to determine business plan development, credit access in Chimanimani, and marketing and business expansion.  Specific business activities include: tie-dye and batik production, furniture and dress making, poultry, piggery and food processing. 

Microfinance services

Only possible through collaborations with Agribank and the financial support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, ZOIC with Development Technology Corporation and the Chimanimani Rural District Council has introduced a microfinance program (Chimanimani Business One-Stop Shop), which provides resource-poor, largely rural microentrepreneurs with the working capital they need to start, expand and diversify their existing and emerging local businesses.  ZOIC in collaboration with the Chimanimani Business Trust designs its support packages on the basis of clients’ needs and local business conditions.  It is developing innovative microfinance service products in areas such as: Small Business Credit through a Revolving Fund and Savings Mobilization for Microentrepreneurs.

Capacity building, women in leadership positions, functional and economic literacy and business education are integral parts and outcomes of the financial support package.  The services strengthen the clients to become better entrepreneurs by facilitating the development and the conduct of their businesses.  They also contribute to further ensuring proper and timely loan repayments.

Sustainability services

ZOIC has expanded its scope of work to support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and business associations in achieving sustainability.  In collaborations with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a specialized US PVO dedicated to improving solutions for poverty alleviation, the EBD team of ZOIC is now offering training and support in organisational and financial sustainability to both the business association and NGO community.  These seminars address the questions that follow and more:

Training sessions

ZOIC offers a variety of training sessions on multiple topics including: Business Orientation, Business Pre-Start, Business Start-Up, Business Development Skills, Training of Trainers and Savings and Credit Management.  Please find out more about ZOIC's Training Cycle.