For Immediate Release
Date: 9th August 2024
Harare, Zimbabwe – Stimulus Africa is pleased to announce its research project, “Pathways to Enhance Inclusive Innovation and Business,” in collaboration with the US Embassy in Harare under the Fulbright Specialist Program.
Research Problem Statement
Zimbabwe faces challenges in building inclusive business models that cater to marginalised groups lower in the value chain such as youth, women, and rural communities. Gaps in access to finance, markets, data, and technology disproportionately affect these groups, limiting their participation in the formal economy / entrepreneurial ecosystem. There is a need for strategies that integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) to enhance innovation and support sustainable business development in the private sector. The lack of effective models that include these principles hampers the creation of sustainable livelihoods and economic growth in these communities.
Research Question:
How can DEIA practices be effectively incorporated into inclusive business models in Zimbabwe to address these gaps and drive innovation and enterprise development?
Proposed Fulbright Intervention
Stimulus Africa Foundation, in collaboration with the Fulbright Specialist, will explore how the integration of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) can enhance innovation and enterprise development in Zimbabwe. The intervention will focus on identifying and addressing key gaps in access to finance, markets, data, and technology for marginalized groups, such as youth, women, and rural communities.
This research methodology will emphasises collaboration, inclusivity, and practical application, ensuring that the output is grounded in local knowledge and understanding whilst drawing from global best practices.
For more information about the Fulbright Specialist Programme and how to become a host institution or specialist, please visit Fulbright Specialist Programme
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