Graduates Turn To Entrepreneurship To Survive
Nkosile Khumalo
Finding formal jobs in and around Zimbabwe has become nearly impossible, and many graduates are turning to small businesses to make ends meet. According to the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) each year, around 30,000 students graduate from universities and colleges but fewer than 20 % are immediately absorbed into formal jobs.
Statistics from Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) show that almost half of the country’s youth, about 49,2 %, are neither in school, training nor formal work. At the same time, the national expanded unemployment rate stands near 37 %, with young people hit hardest.
This harsh reality has pushed many graduates into entrepreneurship- not by choice, but by necessity. Graduates across fields such as engineering, social sciences and business studies are running ventures alongside their degrees, many of which are thriving. From hair salons and poultry projects to online stores and ride-hailing, many have chosen income and survival over waiting for formal employment.
“I have a degree in Media and Society Studies, but job opportunities have been really scarce. It’s been three years since I graduated and I still couldn’t find a job,” says Delight Sibanda, who now owns an online clothing boutique. “My profits are better than many friends’ salaries.”
Others have found income in accessible activities. “I chose poultry farming and ride-hailing through InDrive,” says Joel Chilufya. “They help me stay financially active and independent while I keep looking for better opportunities.”
Social media reflects this shift. TikTok videos trending under captions such as “Graduation vs Now” show graduates in caps and gowns, cutting to scenes of overalls, vending stalls and small businesses. Rather than showing failure, these videos mirror resilience in a tough economy. Many young people are stepping out of their comfort zones to make money.
Sibanda explains that social platforms play a big role in growing her business. “Most of my clients come from TikTok,” she says. “They also post about where they bought from, so my clients’ followers become my future clients. That is how business grows.”
She also markets through WhatsApp to reach customers who may not always have the data to use TikTok.
While Zimbabwe produces thousands of graduates each year, the formal job market remains unable to absorb them. This may discourage current students, but education still matters because it equips young people with the skills to adapt, create opportunities and thrive in a changing economy.
