Locals form organ for economic empowerment and advocacy

Lovemore Chazingwa

Proactive citizens have taken a bold step to form an indigenous empowerment and advocacy group aptly named, Hupfumi Hwedu Indigenous Resources Association (HHIRA), aimed at lawfully advancing the participation of Zimbabweans in all facets of the national economy.
The underlying mission is premised on advocating for systemic change, influence policy, facilitate lawful, organized and commercially viable participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in all and other reserved sectors of the economy.
HHIRA’s work is grounded in a clear Constitutional and Statutory framework, including Section 14 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, which obliges the State to promote economic empowerment and affirmative action.
The association extends its tentacles to other sectors designated under applicable indigenization legislation.
Bouyed by the vision to see an economically empowered Zimbabwe, the association has said that it is geared to propagate a community that owns, controls and benefits from the strategic national resources and reserved sectors of the wholesale economy. Add to that, it has a vision to ensure Zimbabwe’s wealth should benefit indigenous Zimbabweans. In the same vein, the proactive association is angled to transform the roll out of
economic opportunities so that they should not benefit a privileged few.
Founding chairperson Nyasha Munangwa, has explored the association founding thrust.
“Our major thrust is to facilitate and push for the participation of all Zimbabweans in the mainstream economy and we will not rest until that goal is achieved.”
In its view, HHIRA postulates that Zimbabweans deserve a fair opportunity to participate in wealth creation.
According to the organization, communities must move from being spectators to active stakeholders in the national economy.
Also according to the founding principles of the association, “The HHIRA is committed to the empowerment and development of our people in every sector that builds our nation. Whether your choice lies in mining, transport, agriculture, entrepreneurship or any other sector, this is a chance to make your informed choice. We invite you to step forward to take advantage of empowerment programs designed to strengthen skills, expand access to resources and create sustainable growth for individuals and communities alike.”
Government demonstrates seriousness in empowering and championing the socio-economic advancement of its citizenry through legislative Acts and Instruments. These include, the Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act [Chapter 14:33] and a recently activated indigenous empowerment mechanism, Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025. Government, after concerted research has come up with the much celebrated, Indigenization and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sector) Regulations, 2025.
These are all statutory instruments and vehicles meant to uplift indigenous Zimbabweans.
The association is reading and gets historical inspiration from like-minded, pioneering affirmitive action organizations that shaped the empowerment platforms for locals like the Indigenous Business Development Centre (IBDC), Affirmative Action Group (AAG), Indigenous Business Women’s Organization (IBWO) and Economic Empowerment Group (EEG).
One of the foremost policies promulgated by Government in ensuring that the mining sector directly benefits indigenous Zimbabweans pans out in the form of, The Ministry of Mines’ policy reserving small-to-medium-scale mining for indigenous Zimbabweans.
The association has not limited or restricted membership as all backgrounds are welcome. Those who can be a part of the visionary association include farmers, transporters, miners, traders, entrepreneurs, students, women, youth, business associations, trusts, co-operatives, community organizations, professionals and artisans among all other progressive sectors of the economy.
Under the astute leadership of His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, the country has set out clear and comprehensive blueprints to move the nation forward.
Vision 2030, a national goal of transforming Zimbabwe into an Upper-Middle-Income Economy (UMEI), with inclusive prosperity, reduced poverty, and stronger macroeconomic and socio-economic outcomes. A transformational mission to achieve this Vision is pronounced under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), a five year plan from 2026 to 2030, that drives the nation to its defined prosperity destination.
As a forward looking association, the empowerment grouping is poised to utilize all other applicable Government policies and regulations in promoting indigenous economic participation, patent for all to see. The association is committed to leverage on that platform so that it can empower, advocate and uplift indigenous Zimbabweans from their various backgrounds.