Youths urged to apply for loans
EMPOWER Bank and Zimbabwe Integrated Traders Association (ZITA) yesterday signed a memorandum of association to ensure that ZITA’s youthful members can access the bank.
Zanu PF Youth League acting deputy secretary Cde Tendai Chirau said all youth regardless of political affiliation can access the bank launched by President Mnangagwa in 2018, as it is a product of the New Dispensation born to empower all youth.
“Empower Bank is a product of the New Dispensation under the leadership of His Excellency Cde Mnangagwa. It is meant for the youth, not only for youths of a certain political party. It is meant for youth that are determined to get into business, no matter your political affi liation and background,” said Cde Chirau.
“Empower bank is there for you as long as you are a youth and you have a bankable project. We want to build a generation of entrepreneurs, a generation of youth that understand that for you to do business you must do it properly.”
Cde Chirau said he was available to assist any youths facing challenges in accessing funding from the bank.
“Us as leaders of the youths, if you have challenges we are able to assist, we are there to ensure that we build entrepreneurs who leave a legacy, entrepreneurs that can contribute to Vision 2030.”
Cde Chirau encouraged other youth associations to partner with Empower Bank. “I am encouraging other youth associations to partner with Empower Bank. Our legacy is to make sure that we participate in the growth of this economy.”
“The youth of the colonial struggle had their role to dismantle colonialism and they managed to win. As youths we are the beneficiaries of the same independence. Our role now is to make sure that we participate in the economic revival of this country as young people. We are the war veterans to make sure this country overtakes and accelerates past other countries in the economic front,” Chirau said.
Empower Bank acting chief executive officer Mr Shadreck Mhembere said the bank is a youth-focused bank owned 100 percent by
the Government of Zimbabwe. It is the only youth bank in SADC.
Over the past three years, the bank managed to offer loans to at least 4 500 youths across the country, most of them in the agriculture sector.
“We are happy that young people are coming
to Empower Bank to access our facilities. It is a one stop centre for all youths. So far we have branches in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Mutare. In other provinces we have some form of presence in the form of agencies,” Mr Mhembere said.