1. SME Association of Zimbabwe
Small & Medium Sized Enterprise Association of Zimbabwe

2. Vision
to promote sustainable economic development in Zimbabwe through advancing and supporting SMEs.

3. Key objectives Co-ordination of the SME sector
Facilitate networking opportunities
Business linkages
Technical assistance
Influencing pro-SME business policy at national level
Market research
Promote collaboration and develop strategic partnerships with other organizations both nationally and internationally.

4. Story so far….
Started in December 2011 as a LinkedIn group of like-minded Zimbabwean Business people.
Registered as ‘Not- for- profit’ trust under Zimbabwean company law (Registration Number 185/2012) in February 2012.
Secured an office in March 2012 as it was realised that a serious presence was needed to advance its objectives. Office is located at number 5 Normandy Road, Alexandra Park, Harare
Registration of members and payment of subscription commenced in April– to date we have 8 paid up members, and almost 600 LinkedIn members.
Awaiting accreditation from the Ministry of SMEs & CD, and Ministry of Indigenisation, Youth & Empowerment etc.
Significant interest from large corporate sector – Heritage, Ecobank, Fidelity, Financial Gazette, Smartpay, e.t.c.

5. Meet (some of) the team…
Meet (some of) the team…..all experience business people in the own capacity
Farai Clement Mutambanengwe, Founding Chairman
Patrick Munyaradzi, Secretary- General
Walker Ntini, Treasurer
Vincent Machona, Vice Chairman
Jacqui Ndongwe
Vice Secretary-General

6. Services
Practical, implementation-oriented activity to ensure that we make a measurable impact on SME operations
Sub-committees, each headed by a National Coordinator, to ensure implementation
Markets creation through website, linkages program, group marketing activities e.t.c
Tailored training & development programs, based on individual needs assessments done at point of registration.
Enabling contact with investors, financiers, venture capitalists e.t.c through our website.
Review and rating of SMEs to improve service and product quality.
Development of urban (especially outside of Harare), peri-urban and rural enterprises, to decentralise economic activity in Zim.

7. Income model Subscriptions Sponsorships Advertising Support schemes
The Association will be run on a self-sustaining basis, and will be expected to generate enough revenue to cover its operating costs. This is only expected from year two onwards, though. Key revenue lines are expected to be:
Subscriptions
Sponsorships
Advertising
Support schemes

8. Projected financial statements
REVENUE
Subscriptions
Sponsorships
Advertising
TOTAL COSTS
(DEFICIT) / SURPLUS (183)

9. Assistance required Creation of markets. Technical assistance.
Assistance with funding start-up costs.
Lobbying for removal of restrictions on online payments.
Funding of SMEs.
Funding of decentralisation / rural development efforts.
Partnering arrangements.
Any other assistance to drive SME agenda.

10. Conclusion
The SMEAZ is a professional development body set up by entrepreneurs, aimed at transforming the SME landscape in Zimbabwe.
It is run on the principles of best business practice, and is going to be a self-sustaining social enterprise going forward.
Because of its practical orientation, it is expected to become the leading business representative body in Zimbabwe.
It requires assistance in setting up and getting established.
It is looking to partner with developmental agencies with similar objectives, in order to speed up the transformation agenda.
THANK YOU!