In Chivi District, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, over 5,000 attendees gathered to celebrate the 2024 International Day of Cooperatives. The two-day event showcased the diverse work of cooperatives in the region through workshops and exhibitions.

Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Cooperative Development, and delegates from the ILO, various banks, Plan International, USAID-UK, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and senior government officials attended the event. In her address, Minister Mutsvangwa pledged to facilitate dialogue between the cooperative movement and banks to unlock financing opportunities for cooperatives. She also committed to reviewing the outdated Cooperative Societies Act to create a more conducive environment for cooperative growth.

President of the ZNFC – Zimbabwe National Federation of Cooperatives, Mr. Mike Duru said the cooperative sector is key to addressing economic disparities of the people at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid who are mainly women and marginalised people.