Dear Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs,
Too many businesses in our country collapse not because of poor ideas or lack of capital, but because of the wrong partnerships. Time and again, we see friends and relatives rush into business together without proper agreements, only to end in bitter disputes that destroy both the company and the relationship. It is one of the most common but least discussed reasons why Zimbabwean ventures die young.
The Illusion of Familiarity
When starting a business, trust feels like the most important ingredient. Who do you trust more than your best friend or your cousin? They have shared your struggles, encouraged your dreams, and celebrated your victories. So you assume that this same loyalty will extend into business. But business is not built on loyalty alone—it is built on systems, roles, and accountability.
Familiarity often blinds us to the risks. Instead of asking hard questions about money, responsibilities, and expectations, we say, “He is my brother, he would never betray me.” Yet when challenges arise—as they always do—family ties or friendships are tested in ways they were never designed to withstand.
The Silent Killers of Partnerships
1. No Written Contracts
Verbal agreements may work for lending a shirt, but they do not work in business. Without a shareholders’ agreement or partnership contract, roles and profit-sharing become battlegrounds.
2. Emotional Entanglements
When your partner is also your relative, every business disagreement feels personal. A debate about pricing turns into an attack on character. A late payment becomes a family insult.
3. Unequal Effort
Too often, one partner works tirelessly while the other shows up when convenient. Without clear accountability, resentment builds until the partnership collapses.
4. Misplaced Trust
Trusting someone with your life does not mean they are competent in managing money, marketing, or operations. Business requires skills, not just good intentions.
A Framework for Choosing Partners Wisely
If you truly need a business partner, follow this framework:
Complementary Skills: Choose someone whose strengths fill your weaknesses. If you are good with numbers, find someone strong in sales or operations.
Shared Values: Align on integrity, vision, and long-term goals. Skills can be learned, but values rarely change.
Formal Agreements: Draft legal contracts covering ownership, decision-making, dispute resolution, and exit strategies.
Defined Roles: Make sure each partner knows exactly what they are responsible for. Write it down and review it regularly.
Accountability Systems: Use financial statements, audits, and performance reviews. Do not leave accountability to trust alone.
When to Avoid Partnerships Altogether
Sometimes the best partner is no partner at all. If you have enough capacity to start small on your own, do it. Partnerships should only be formed when they genuinely add value, not just because you feel lonely or afraid to start alone.
Remember: it is easier to bring in a partner later than to force out a partner who is already embedded in your company.
The Pain of Avoidable Mistakes
Many Zimbabweans have painful stories of partnerships gone wrong. Families torn apart, friendships destroyed, and promising ventures dissolved. What makes it worse is that most of these disasters could have been avoided with clearer thinking and proper structures.
Do not let emotions blind you. Protect both your relationships and your business by doing things the right way from the start.
Final Words
Your friend may be loyal, and your cousin may mean well, but that alone does not qualify them to be your business partner. Treat partnerships with the seriousness they deserve. Draft contracts. Define roles. Build systems. And remember, sometimes the wisest decision is to go solo until the right partner with the right skills and commitment comes along.
With respect for your entrepreneurial journey,
ZimLedger Admin
ZimLedger
ZimLedger is the all in one business and finance platform for Zimbabwe. It generates quotes, invoices, payslips and financial statements, manages business ledgers, tracks income and expenses, and builds shopping lists. ZimLedger offers a simple yet powerful solution tailored to local needs. Whether you are budgeting in ZiG or USD, managing business accounts, converting Ecocash statements, or tracking household expenses, ZimLedger empowers you to stay organised, make informed financial decisions, and grow your wealth—right from your phone or computer.
