Briefing Paper

Factors Affecting the Internationalisation of Manufacturing SMEs in Zimbabwe

“This policy brief presents evidence that SME
internationalisation is at very low level in Zimbabwe. It identifies the major factors that are inhibitors of SME internation-alisation in the manufacturing sector, including negative attitudes by SME owner/managers, lack of international market knowledge, risk perception by owner/ managers, inadequate financial resources, poor networks and unfavourable regulation. Furthermore, it outlines the actions the government and industry associations need
to take to improve the performance of manufacturing SMEs through internationalisation. It is recommended that
government should work closely with SME associations to better understand their resource needs.”