Abstract
In Zimbabwe, a country faced with economic challenges and high unemployment rates, entrepreneurship has become a vital pathway for economic independence and social integration, especially for disadvantaged groups. This exploratory study focuses on the experiences and ventures of four types of disadvantaged entrepreneurs: those with disabilities, refugees, recovering addicts, and individuals driven by necessity.
Entrepreneurs with disabilities in Zimbabwe face inaccessible environments and stigma; refugees deal with precarious legal status and resource restrictions; recovering addicts combat societal prejudices and personal challenges in their business endeavors; and necessity entrepreneurs are thrust into self-employment due to the sheer lack of alternatives.
Adopting a qualitative, comparative approach, the research investigates the opportunities, resources, and challenges these groups encounter, drawing on interviews, observations, and document analysis. The study uncovers the vital role of social capital and networks. Additionally, access to microfinance and support mechanisms is identified as crucial for entrepreneurial success. Despite severe obstacles, these entrepreneurs demonstrate remarkable resilience and ingenuity. Entrepreneurs with disabilities innovate to overcome barriers, refugee entrepreneurs carve out niches that benefit themselves and their hosts, addict entrepreneurs find business avenues that support their recovery, and necessity entrepreneurs show resourcefulness in exploiting available market opportunities.
The research sheds light on the entrepreneurial capacity within marginalized groups and the impact of structured support, urging policymaking that addresses systemic barriers and improves entrepreneurial support. Practitioners and non-profits can leverage these insights to tailor programs to the distinct needs of each group.
Disadvantaged entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe echoes a wider narrative of struggle, creativity, and achievement against the odds. An intimate understanding of these experiences contributes valuable perspectives to the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) discourse and informs strategies to unleash the potential that often lies dormant in these vital community segments. The sheer will to overcome adversity displayed by these groups is a testament to their determination to achieve economic and social inclusion through entrepreneurship.