Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) students have received business incubation grants under the CAUSEWAY project. The grants, ranging from US$500 to US$1,500, were awarded during a vibrant ceremony at the university’s Fernhill Main Campus in Mutare.
Among the beneficiaries are Emannuel Manzini, Judith Makiwa and Rumbidzai Mangena, who are working on a watermelon production, broiler rearing and designing farmers’ application projects
The CAUSEWAY project, led by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Development Trust (ZADT) in partnership with financial institutions, aims to equip young people in higher and tertiary education with entrepreneurial skills. This initiative is expected to improve household incomes and enhance food security in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the event, ZADT project officer, Farai Mushonga underscored the importance of the program, which is funded by the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe. She highlighted its role in transforming university students into innovative entrepreneurs.
“The goal of this project is to empower students with innovative agricultural ideas that will not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which focuses on food security and sustainable development. Our vision is to develop agricultural projects into scalable businesses that produce high-quality products,” said Mushonga.
MSUAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, congratulated the students for presenting viable business ideas. He assured them that the university would continue to support their ventures to ensure their success.
“This initiative provides both financial backing and a foundation for students to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. It fosters positive transformation and contributes to the sustainable growth of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector,” said Professor Chawanda.
He further noted that the project aligns with Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 framework, which aims to equip university graduates with practical skills to establish their own businesses and drive economic growth.
One of the grant recipients, Emmanuel Manzini, who is studying for a BSc Information Systems honours degree, expressed his excitement about securing funding for his business idea.
“I am elated that my project received funding, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running,” he said.
