With support from the U.S. Embassy Harare, FSNT rolled out the Smart Entrepreneurs – #BeYourOwnBoss initiative—designed to empower female students, including students with disabilities and those of diverse gender identities, to strengthen and scale up their small businesses across three provinces.

Responding to the economic realities faced by students, the project focused on building practical entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and visibility for campus-based businesses in Harare, Matabeleland South, and Mashonaland East.

Project Highlights:

• Conducted a needs assessment to understand barriers to growth for young women entrepreneurs.
• Facilitated a dynamic Business Induction Academy with insights from U.S. and local business leaders.
• Delivered three Business Buddie Training Sessions focused on marketing, digital tools, networking, and resilience.
• Organized six business tours, grouping students by business sector to learn from established local enterprises.
• Supported participants with ongoing mentorship and profiling, showcasing their enterprises through FSNT’s media platforms.

The initiative sparked new confidence and collaboration among young women—fostering a generation ready to lead through innovation, self-sufficiency, and peer-driven growth.