Our #WCW today is Dr. Ethel Mupambwa, a trailblazing entrepreneur who has shattered glass ceilings and defied odds to become a leading figure in the financial industry. Born and raised in rural Nembudziya, Gokwe, Zimbabwe, Ethel’s journey to success was not without its challenges.
Growing up in a financially excluded community, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of women and youths who lacked access to funding and financial solutions. This experience ignited a fire within her, fueling her passion for financial inclusion and driving her to make a difference.
Dr. Ethel Mupambwa is the Founder and CEO of MoneyMart Finance (Private) Limited, which she established in 2014. With over 10 years of experience linking finance to business operations, she has dedicated her career to making a positive impact.
Eight of those years have been spent specializing in microfinance, with a focus on innovative ways to include women and youths who are financially excluded. Dr. Mupambwa is a certified digital finance practitioner (Digital Frontiers Institute) and holds a degree in Finance from the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, as well as numerous certifications in leadership, strategy, and microfinance.
In 2021, she received prestigious recognition, including an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL) from the International Institute of Philanthropy and an Honorary Doctor of Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship from the International Women’s University.
Her passion lies in financial inclusion, driven by her experiences growing up in a financially excluded area in rural Nembudziya, Gokwe. She has served over 10,000 microentrepreneurs, 70% of whom are women, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 5.
She has also distributed over 3,000 sustainable solar home systems in rural areas, positively impacting over 30,000 lives. Dr. Mupambwa’s work centers on innovative ways of accommodating financially excluded women and youths.
She seeks to change the unique obstacles to accessing financial services that women face, particularly low-income micro-entrepreneurs like vegetable vendors who are typically excluded from mainstream financial services.
Her achievements are well-deserved, and she has been recognized as one of the African Business Heroes of 2020 by the Jack Ma Foundation and named Businesswoman of the Year, 2021, at the Zimbabwe National Business and Leadership Awards.
We celebrate Dr. Ethel Mupambwa for her tireless efforts, her unwavering dedication, and her unshakeable belief in the power of women to shape the world.
