The Launch event was a great success with over 140 government, donor and business representatives present.

The first AECF ZW round of competition has been made possible with funding from AusAID. At the launch event, Mr John Courtney, the Australian Ambassador said, “I am very pleased that my Government will be supporting a special Zimbabwe Window of the AECF. By stimulating investment in Zimbabwe’s financial markets and supply chains, the AECF will have a direct impact on the rural poor, boosting agricultural productivity, creating new jobs and developing enterprise in rural areas. Together, the Australian Government and the AECF will help lift thousands of Zimbabwe’s small-scale farmers out of poverty and hunger”. Mr Courtney appealed to other donor countries to join this exciting new initiative for Zimbabwe.

The Minister of Economic Planning, the Hon Elton Mangoma, attended the launch on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Hon Biti. In his key note speech, the Hon Mangoma said, “The Government of Zimbabwe is delighted that the AECF has launched a special window for business ideas in Zimbabwe. This window can help get Zimbabwe’s economy moving again by revitalizing the business and finance sectors which are so critical to the recovery of our rural economy and to the livelihoods of Zimbabweans who live in rural areas”.

Mr Hugh Scott, the Director of the AECF, made a presentation at the launch event, which was well received. Mr Scott ended his presentation by challenging the private sector in Zimbabwe to respond with innovative and profitable business ideas that have a large developmental and pro-poor impact.