When the COVID-19 pandemic brought much of the world to a halt, Yollanda Mambeu saw an opportunity in the crisis. While countless businesses shut down, she launched her bakery in a suburb of Mutare, Zimbabwe’s third-largest city. Since then, her business has grown exponentially, evolving from a modest bakery into a thriving enterprise that supplies baking products and accessories while also training young entrepreneurs.
Mambeu now earns up to $5,000 in monthly profits, a success she attributes to training received through the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Business Development for Women and Youth program. This initiative has supported nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs, with over 68% being women. Thanks to the program, Mambeu strengthened her brand identity and expanded her customer base to 1,200 people within a year. Her success has attracted major companies, including a dairy producer that appointed her as a brand ambassador, as she prepares to open a wholesale bakery.
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Another success story is Violet Mhute, an entrepreneur from Bulawayo who struggled for years in Zimbabwe’s leather industry. With support from African Development Bank training programs, she transformed her business, Soko Genuine Leather, from exporting raw hides to producing high-quality leather goods certified by the Zimbabwe Standards Association. Today, her shoes, handbags, and belts are sold across Africa and in international markets such as the UK. Her participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has boosted her monthly earnings from $800 to $3,100.
Dr. Martha Phiri, Director of Human Capital, Youth, and Skills Development at the African Development Bank, emphasizes that these stories reflect the institution’s commitment to private sector growth, particularly for women and young entrepreneurs. “We empower female entrepreneurs with technical assistance, training, and business development support to ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources,” she stated.
Since its launch in 2017, the Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been a cornerstone of the African Development Bank’s strategy to create jobs in Africa. With examples like Mambeu and Mhute, it is evident that access to training and financing can transform lives, fostering sustainable businesses that generate employment and strengthen local economies.
