OmniContact BPO Services, an Econet Wireless Zimbabwe division focusing on business process outsourcing, and UN Women – the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Zimbabwe – have joined hands to launch Project Ignite. This ground-breaking initiative seeks to equip women and youths with the skills and tools that will create opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in the country’s growing digital economy.

In a joint statement, the two organisations said the public-private partnership seeks to empower thousands of Zimbabwean women and young people to become digital leaders, technology-driven entrepreneurs, and active contributors to the future of work.

Despite their critical roles in communities and households, many women and young people in Zimbabwe continue to face barriers to economic inclusion, including limited access to stable income, job opportunities, and entrepreneurial support. These challenges are particularly acute for those facing multiple layers of disadvantage, such as rural women, young mothers, and persons with disabilities.

“Project Ignite is more than an initiative – it is a movement to ensure that women and youth have a real stake in Zimbabwe’s economic future,” said Fatou Lo, UN Women’s Country Representative in Zimbabwe, at the launch of Project Ignite in Harare on Tuesday (July 1, 2025). “We are proud to collaborate with the private sector in delivering practical, scalable solutions to digital inequality,” she said.

OmniContact, a key player in Zimbabwe’s BPO sector, is set to play a pivotal role in providing the infrastructure, training platforms, and employment linkages necessary to operationalise the programme. “We believe the future of work in Zimbabwe must be inclusive. By investing in women and youth, we are not only tackling inequality – we are strengthening our national workforce and economic competitiveness,” said Mr Otis Makahamadze, the Chief Operating Officer of OmniContact.

He added that as Zimbabwe advances towards its Vision 2030 development goals, Project Ignite offers an example of how strategic partnerships can drive inclusive growth, digital innovation, and sustainable empowerment.

Decades of economic fluctuations, deindustrialisation, climate-related shocks, and health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have had a disproportionate impact on women’s livelihoods. At the same time, underfunding for gender equality programmes has further widened gaps in access and opportunity. Although the digital economy offers significant potential in areas such as remote work, e-commerce, and tech entrepreneurship, the gender digital divide remains a major concern, with many women and young people lacking the digital skills, connectivity, or resources to benefit fully from these opportunities.

OmniContact and UN Women Zimbabwe said it is in this context that they have launched Project Ignite – as a timely, strategic response aimed at narrowing the digital divide while creating inclusive pathways to economic empowerment.

Underpinned by a blended financing approach, OmniContact and UN Women said the initiative will be rolled out using four key models designed to address different facets of inclusion such as Digital Leader Model, which enhances digital literacy, confidence and access to technology for women and girls. Another pillar is the Impact Sourcing Model, which aims to create employment opportunities in digital services for young women, including roles in call centres, remote tech support and data processing. The third pillar is the Business Accelerator Model, that supports women-led enterprises to leverage digital tools for growth, resilience and market expansion. The last pillar is the Women’s Empowerment Principles Framework, which seeks to engage the private sector, government and civil society in promoting gender equity and mobilising investments towards women’s participation in the digital economy.

THE Econet Victoria Falls Marathon returns on July 6, 2025, bringing with it the adventure of long-distance running amidst the beauty of one of Zimbabwe and the continent’s iconic tourist destinations. Now in its 18th year and set to inject a welcome boost for the local tourism and hospitality sector, the marathon has grown to become a signature event on the continent’s sporting calendar, drawing elite athletes, amateur runners, wellness and fitness enthusiasts, families, and pure adventure-seekers from across the world.

Econet Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Douglas Mboweni, said preparations were well underway for the marathon, promising a world-class experience for the more than 5 000 participants expected at this year’s event. “The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon has become a very important event in African sport and among wellness enthusiasts. We are excited to once again welcome runners from all walks of life – both elite athletes, chasing records, and families and friends out to enjoy a fun run in one of the world’s most scenic settings,” he said.

Describing the event as more than just a race, Dr Mboweni added that the marathon reflects Econet’s values of promoting wellness, family and community. “This is not just a marathon – it is an experience. Running across the Victoria Falls Bridge, with the mist of the mighty Falls rising all around you, is something breathtaking. It celebrates the spirit of Africa – of resilience and community – and it displays the wonder of God’s creation,” he said.

Running under the inspiring theme ‘Road2Victory – Asambeni Malegends,’ the marathon unites runners of all abilities in a dynamic range of events – from the gruelling 42.2km full marathon and the competitive 21.1km half marathon, to the popular 7.5km family fun run.

Dr Mboweni said Econet’s long-standing support of the marathon reflects its corporate belief in promoting health, fitness and community well-being. “As a proudly Zimbabwean company, we are committed to initiatives that uplift communities and promote tourism in our country. This event places a global spotlight on Zimbabwe and gives international visitors a taste of our warm hospitality, breathtaking scenery, and pristine and natural beauty,” he said.

Ahead of the event, Econet’s Deputy CEO Mr Roy Chimanikire confirmed that key logistics were already being finalised with organisers working around the clock with local authorities, emergency services and tourism and travel players, to ensure everything is in place in good time. “We are working closely with all stakeholders to make sure we deliver an enjoyable, safe and smooth event. We have also deployed new technologies for registration and race tracking, to enhance the overall experience for our participants and spectators alike,” Mr Chimanikire said.

With the marathon weekend widely regarded as one of the busiest weekends on the city’s local calendar, Mr Chimanikire said the event continues to bring tangible benefits to Victoria Falls and its surrounding communities. “Hotels are already fully booked for the event, restaurants will be bustling with activity, and even small businesses — from transport operators to curio sellers — will similarly see a huge upswing in business activity. It is indeed the kind of positive economic impact we are proud to support,” Mr Chimanikire said.