Zambia Holds First-Ever MSME and Cooperatives Indaba, Highlighting Collaboration for Growth
Zambia’s Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development hosted the inaugural MSME and Cooperatives Indaba at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka today.
The event, officiated by Minister Hon Elias Mubanga MP on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, emphasized collaboration as a key driver for the growth of MSMEs and cooperatives.
The Indaba’s theme, “Harnessing the power of collaboration in fostering MSME and Cooperative growth for sustainable economic development,” underscores the government’s focus on fostering inter-dependence and joint efforts across all sectors.
Minister Mubanga emphasized the importance of genuine engagement with MSMEs and cooperatives in decision-making and capacity building.
This, he believes, will unlock their creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit, ultimately stimulating economic development.
The government’s commitment to the sector was further underscored by the launch of two key policies in recent months. In 2023, the Revised National MSME Development Policy and its Implementation Plan were unveiled, followed by the launch of the revised National Cooperatives Policy yesterday.
These policies aim to address challenges hindering the growth of MSMEs and cooperatives, allowing them to contribute more effectively to wealth creation and job creation across the country.
“The importance of MSMEs and cooperatives cannot be overstated,” Minister Mubanga declared. “They represent over 90% of Zambian businesses, making them a critical pillar of our economy.”
The Indaba signifies the government’s strong commitment to the principles of solidarity, equity, and inclusivity in fostering a thriving MSME and cooperatives ecosystem, ultimately propelling Zambia towards sustainable economic development.
