2026 Enactus Zimbabwe National Competition: A Generation Reimagining What Is Possible
The 2026 Enactus Zimbabwe National Competition brought together young innovators under the theme GenerationRE, showcasing solutions across climate action, agriculture, renewable energy, healthcare, AI and circular innovation. Earth to Energy and Silk PET emerged as champions and will represent Zimbabwe at the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo.
What happens when young people stop seeing challenges as barriers and start seeing them as opportunities to create something new?
At the 2026 Enactus Zimbabwe National Competition, university students turned that question into action, presenting ideas that tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges. From transforming invasive water hyacinth and plastic waste into valuable products, to developing climate smart agricultural solutions, digital platforms, clean energy technologies and innovations designed to improve health and livelihoods.
Under the theme GenerationRe, this year's theme captured a generation of young entrepreneurs determined to reimagine possibilities, regenerate communities, redesign systems, rebuild more inclusive enterprises and redefine the role of young people in shaping Zimbabwe's future. Their ideas demonstrated that innovation does not always begin with sophisticated infrastructure or large investments, sometimes it starts with looking differently at a problem that communities already face.
Held from 3 - 4 September 2026 at the Golden Conifer Conference Centre in Harare, the National Competition brought together 15 university teams, industry leaders, Government representatives, judges, faculty advisors and partners.But the competition was more than winning a title. It was about giving young innovators a platform to test their ideas, engage with industry and demonstrate how entrepreneurship can respond to real challenges facing communities.
A key highlight of the 2026 programme was the launch of the BOOST–Crown Bank Future of Work, Career Readiness and Mentorship Programme, connecting student innovation with conversations about employability, professional development and the skills needed to navigate a changing world of work. The launch brought together students, professionals, employers, Government representatives and industry leaders.
A powerful message came from keynote speaker Dr Shingai Mutasa, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Masawara, who challenged young people to recognize the power of their own thinking.
“Our minds are the most powerful instruments. What you feed them is what comes out.”
His message went beyond entrepreneurship, encouraging young Zimbabweans to rethink what is possible, challenge narratives that can limit their potential and recognize the opportunities within Zimbabwe and the wider region.
The competition featured Early Stage and Impact Stage rounds, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate both emerging ideas and more developed enterprises.
In the Early Stage Competition, Midlands State University's Earth to Energy emerged as Champion with a portable circular biogas solution that converts cow manure and invasive water hyacinth into clean cooking gas.
In the Impact Stage, Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE)'s Silk PET was named Champion for its circular manufacturing solution that converts discarded PET plastic bottles into recycled fibre and finished products.The journey does not end in Harare. Earth to Energy will represent Zimbabwe in the Early Stage category, while Silk PET will represent Zimbabwe in the Impact Stage at the Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil, from 16 -19 November 2026.
For both teams, the opportunity is a chance to take Zimbabwean student innovation to a global audience and connect with an international network of entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.
