The SME Association of Zimbabwe provides several networking platforms to enable entrepreneurs to form partnerships as well as share ideas on how to grow your business. Networking is a critical component for growing markets, particularly if one can form partnerships with other enterprises, large and small, that are along the same value chain. Some of the available programs are:
Value Chain Groups
Our membership is classified according to value chain groups. This helps to ensure that people who are likely to do business with each other are grouped together. Each Value Chain group has a Whatsapp group within which members can interface, network and do business.The Whatsapp groups are strictly for paid-up member only.
We also hold quarterly networking events to enable members to come together and meet in person. To get the calendar of meetings, you can send an e-mail to customerservice (at) smeaz.org.zw or get in touch with your Member Consultant.
The following are the value chain groups that we have:
- Agri-business
- Arts and Crafts
- Auto, Transport & Logistics
- Clothing, Leather and Textiles
- Construction, Energy, Engineering & Mining
- Consultancy
- Consumer & Retail
- Healthcare
- Hospitality & Event Management
- Services
Business Directory & Online Shop
We encourage value chain linkages among SMEs themselves, by providing detailed information on what each SME is doing in our business directory and online shop. Our members are thus easily able to identify other SMEs within their value chains (e.g. chicken farmers can pick out restaurants, retailers and caterers). The Business Directory is arranged by value chain, and according to whether one is at the input, processing, output or distribution phase. You can talk to your Member Consultant for assistance on how you can effectively make use of the Business Directory to find and engage with other members in your value chain.