Empower your Enterprises and Promote Growth through Chamber Affiliation
Celebrating 129 years of existence this year, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) has played a pivotal role in bolstering businesses, fostering economic progress, and nurturing community advancement since its establishment in 1894. For more than a century, ZNCC has served as a reliable pillar of support, empowerment, and advocacy across diverse sectors of the economy.
Since its inception, our Chamber has strived to cultivate an environment conducive to business expansion, inclusive economic prosperity, and community development. Throughout this extensive journey, we have adapted to ever-changing market dynamics and celebrated numerous accomplishments. Side by side, we have advocated for the interests of our members, championed innovative initiatives, and received valuable feedback from both members and non-members who have benefited from the Chamber's support, propelling their businesses forward.
Having traversed this remarkable path, we can attest to the transformative power of collaboration, resilience, and a shared vision. As a vibrant hub, we have successfully connected entrepreneurs, industry leaders, government entities, and various stakeholders, fostering fruitful partnerships as we also strive to create a conducive environment for business success. We have witnessed countless stories of growth, entrepreneurship, and flourishing enterprises that have shaped our society, all with the unwavering support of the Chamber.
Speaking at the ZNCC Annual National Business Awards that were held in Victoria Falls along the annual congress this year, ZNCC president, Mr. Mike Kamungeremu attested to this fruitful trajectory that the Chamber has so far walked, saying; “As a Chamber, we are striving to contribute towards sustainable development and building a strong and productive economy that improves the quality of life of the generality of the populace. And in doing so, we always take a moment like this to celebrate and honour those who have demonstrated outstanding and exemplary efforts in the achievement of this goal.” He went on to say, “These individuals and organizations have exhibited, beyond doubt, qualities that have brought the glory of success to our business community and the whole economy at large. It is against the above background that tonight we toast to the remarkable accomplishments of these winners, while also giving due regard to our values, principles, and standards which these winners exemplify.” These words demonstrate how businesses that have received support from the Chamber have gone on to shine and achieve more.
Our unwavering commitment to business support has been the driving force behind our achievements. Since 1894, we have been supporting the business community, and we encourage more enterprises to join our ranks, to strengthen the voice of businesses, and to collectively chart the course for private sector development. Being a member of a Chamber grants access to a myriad of services, products, programs, and opportunities specifically tailored for members to grow their businesses. Some governments such as Egypt have realized the importance of such benefits and have actually made it mandatory at law for all businesses to be registered members of local chambers of commerce. In today's increasingly competitive and interconnected business landscape, companies are constantly seeking avenues to enhance growth and gain a competitive edge. We believe that joining the ZNCC represents a powerful strategy for achieving these goals.
One of the primary advantages of being a member of our Chamber lies in the opportunity to cultivate a robust network of business connections. Through different events and activities throughout the year, we provide ideal platforms for businesses to engage with like-minded individuals, industry leaders, and potential clients. Through the networking events, workshops, and conferences that ZNCC hosts, companies can establish valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on initiatives that promote mutual growth. These connections often result in new business partnerships, increased referrals, and a broader customer base. One of the successful businesspeople in the country who joined the Chamber a few years back once told us that, after a few minutes of meeting another member at a business meeting organized by the Chamber, he got advice and rapidly transformed his business in a short space of time.
The Chamber also plays a crucial role in advocating for the interests of businesses. Our Chamber represents the interests of all sectors, which means that we leave no business sector behind. For over a century now, we have proven to be an authentic voice, representing the collective concerns and needs of members from those different sectors to government entities, policymakers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders. By aligning with the Chamber, businesses can therefore gain access to a unified voice that can influence decisions directly impacting their industry and the business environment which they operate under. In doing so, we also provide a platform for businesses themselves to contribute to the development of policies and regulations that foster a favourable business climate.
ZNCC is also dedicated to supporting the growth and prosperity of its members through a wide range of resources and assistance that we offer to help businesses thrive. By tapping into these resources, businesses can enhance their operational efficiency, acquire valuable skills, and stay informed about industry trends, ultimately leading to increased competitiveness and success. One of our key resources at the Chamber is the Training School which aims to empower the Zimbabwean business community through capacity building and skills enhancement initiatives and business linkages. The School was created following the realization that most emerging entrepreneurs and the workforce lack basic skills in scaling up their businesses beyond SME status. The Training School provides wide-ranging and highly practical training and development solutions geared to meet the demands and needs of the business community through strategic partnerships with various organizations. As we speak, the Training School is on the ground in Chinhoyi where it is training female entrepreneurs how to sustain and grow their businesses. For this particular training, the ZNCC Training School has partnered with decorated experts in entrepreneurship including Professor Marian Tukuta who is the Dean of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Sciences at Chinhoyi University of Technology, amongst others.
Through the Chamber’s various marketing and promotional activities, our members also gain exposure through various channels, including the Chamber’s different events as well as other channels such as the website, monthly newsletter, other publications, and social media platforms. Through these different platforms, we provide valuable opportunities to showcase products, services, and achievements to wider audiences. Over the years, a number of businesses that exhibited their offerings at our events such as congress, awards ceremonies, and others have managed to connect with new customers and business partners.
As a business, you cannot afford to be on the sidelines, and this is why we invite businesses that are not yet members of the Chamber to join its ranks and also contribute to the betterment of their local community. The ZNCC is also known to be an invaluable source of information and insights for businesses. We provide members with access to research publications, economic and regulatory updates, as well as advice to inform strategic decision-making. To help members and other stakeholders to keep abreast with various developments in the economy, the Chamber also hosts its Business Agenda on Friday, which is a virtual discussion forum where we bring in experts from different sectors to unpack and give insights on various topical issues, to enable members to stay ahead of emerging trends, technological advancements, and best practices. This access to knowledge empowers businesses to make informed choices and adapt their strategies in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
As we have highlighted above, joining ZNCC offers a wider array of benefits for businesses, ranging from enhanced networking opportunities and advocacy to access to valuable resources and marketing support. By becoming active participants in ZNCC, businesses can tap into a vast network of connections, amplify their visibility, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of their businesses and the communities they operate in. The collective power of our Chamber allows businesses to thrive in this increasingly competitive market, making their membership a very valuable investment for any company aiming for long-term success. To join the Chamber, please feel free to drop us an email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and together we can start an exciting journey of supporting your business to grow and prosper.