ZNCC Calls for Competitive, Self-Financed Development

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce has urged civil society and development actors to shift from grant dependency to financially sustainable, competitiveness-driven models, warning that tightening global aid flows demand a new development architecture.

Speaking at the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) Northern Region 3rd CSO Symposium held at Monomotapa Hotel in Harare to commemorate World NGO Day, ZNCC Membership Executive Prayer Katsaruware delivered a solidarity message stressing the need for private sector–civil society collaboration.

Under the theme “Celebrating People-Driven Transformation: Adapt, Innovate, and Empower for Resilience and Sustainable Impact,” the symposium brought together civil society, business, labour, development partners and Government representatives to reflect on sustainable development pathways.

In its address, ZNCC highlighted the “shifting global development landscape,” citing tightening aid flows and evolving donor priorities. The Chamber stressed that resilience must transition into competitiveness, arguing that “grants alone cannot finance national transformation.”

ZNCC advocated for blended finance mechanisms, social enterprise models and value-chain partnerships as critical tools to unlock sustainable impact and scale.

 

The Chamber reaffirmed its long-standing cooperation with NANGO, stating it stands ready to deepen collaboration “to align social purpose with economic sustainability,” positioning structured partnerships as central to long-term national development.