Zimbabwe: Fisherwomen harness the sun

By Fortune Muzarabani

In the remote fishing villages along the banks of the Zambezi River, women in Binga, Matabeleland North province, are leading a quiet revolution. For generations, local communities have relied on fishing for livelihoods, yet post-harvest losses and environmental pressures have long constrained the industry. Today, a group of enterprising fisherwomen is changing that narrative, turning solar energy into an instrument of empowerment.

At the Simatelela Fishing Camp in Binga, the Value Addition of Fish project, spearheaded by Image Siabula and Nicol  Mudimba, is teaching women to harness solar power to dry fish efficiently. Previously, communities depended on wood-fired dryers, which contributed to deforestation and limited the reach of their produce. By adopting solar dryers, fisherwomen not only preserve fish for distant markets but also reduce environmental degradation, addressing climate concerns while securing stable incomes.

The solar fish drying initiative contributes directly to sustainable food systems by extending the shelf life of harvested fish, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing market access. By minimising waste, the project helps lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with rotting fish and unsustainable disposal methods. Unlike traditional wood-fired dryers, solar energy is a clean, renewable source, cutting down on deforestation and reducing the community’s carbon footprint. In this way, women-led solar drying not only preserves livelihoods but also promotes environmentally responsible practices, demonstrating that economic empowerment and climate action can advance hand in hand within rural food systems.

“This is about more than fish,” said Image Siabula. “It’s about empowerment, sustainability, and dignity. With solar dryers, women can store their harvest, sell at fair prices, and reinvest in their communities.”

The project is part of the Youth Collective Action for Social Transformation (YCA4SOTRA) initiative, funded by the European Union, which emphasises youth empowerment, gender equality, and sustainable development. The funding supports training, equipment, and market access, reinforcing women’s role as leaders in community-driven economic initiatives.

Bulawayo, Beitbridge, and Binga have also benefited from the Green Innovative Ideas Initiative, a program that provides seed grants to climate-resilient ventures. Among thirteen semi-finalists, five projects—including the solar fish dryers—secured USD $2,500 each. These grants enable women to scale operations, employ others, and build climate-smart enterprises that tackle both poverty and environmental challenges.

In April 2022, the Government donated 17 fishing rigs to chiefs, women, and youth in Binga, sparking a local economic revival.

“The Fishing Rigs created employment, improved food security, and provided sustainable livelihoods. We are now able to get fish to sell, but the area is hot, and our fish go bad pretty fast. Sometimes we have to sell them very cheaply to the buyers from the city, but drying them helps us negotiate for better prices as we will not be desperate to sell,” said Mable Mudenda. Communities now have the tools to produce fish efficiently, but the next challenge is preserving the harvest for wider markets—a hurdle that solar dryers are helping to overcome.

Government plans to construct cold rooms in fishing areas are underway, ensuring that the value of local labour is fully realised. Previously, excess fish often had to be sold at giveaway prices or spoiled. With solar drying and future cold storage, fisherwomen can extend the shelf life of their products, negotiate better prices, and establish connections with urban and regional markets. This shift represents a move from subsistence-level operations toward commercial fish farming, aligned with the national agenda of rural industrialisation.

The initiative also intersects with gender and climate objectives. By targeting women, it ensures that empowerment, leadership, and decision-making are distributed equitably, addressing historical inequalities in access to resources. Furthermore, by reducing dependence on wood fuel, the project mitigates environmental degradation, contributing to Zimbabwe’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 5, 8, and 13).

Local leaders have praised the ingenuity of these women. Community elders note that solar drying not only preserves fish but also creates employment opportunities, particularly for young women, who are often excluded from traditional income-generating activities. It allows women to control production cycles, manage finances, and reinvest profits in households and local initiatives.

The Emthonjeni Women’s Forum and other advocacy groups have highlighted the project as a model for gender-responsive climate action. By centring women in the design and implementation of interventions, the program ensures that benefits reach those most affected by economic and environmental vulnerabilities. It also reinforces women’s roles as agents of change, demonstrating that leadership in rural development is not the exclusive domain of men.

Beyond economic gains, the initiative strengthens community resilience. Climate shocks, including droughts and erratic rainfall along the Zambezi, have historically threatened livelihoods. Solar fish drying provides a climate-smart adaptation, reducing vulnerability and ensuring that households can maintain stable incomes even in adverse conditions.

The initiative has sparked interest beyond Binga. Neighbouring districts are exploring similar programs, inspired by the combination of gender inclusion, environmental stewardship, and sustainable livelihoods. By linking local production with regional markets, the project demonstrates that women-led innovation can catalyse broader economic and social development.

Image Siabula notes, “We are proving that women in rural areas are capable of designing solutions that are sustainable, profitable, and community-oriented. The solar dryers are a tool for empowerment, not just a technology.”

The Value Addition of Fish project exemplifies how strategic support, government interventions, and international partnerships can combine to transform rural communities. Through access to tools, training, and markets, women are reclaiming agency over resources, livelihoods, and local economies, while setting a precedent for climate-conscious enterprise.

The story of Binga’s fisherwomen is a compelling illustration of Push Forward for Equality in action. By centring women in climate-smart solutions, reducing post-harvest losses, and creating sustainable income streams, the initiative bridges gender, economic, and environmental objectives. It demonstrates that with the right support, rural women are not only contributors to food security – they are architects of community resilience and drivers of inclusive development.

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