ZACCI Pushes for Flexible Capital Market Reforms to Unlock SME Growth
The Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has called for targeted reforms to make Zambia’s capital markets more accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), stressing their critical role in driving economic growth and job creation.
Speaking at a high-level panel discussion hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Zambia at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, ZACCI Past President Mr Geoffrey Sakulanda said that while SMEs form the backbone of the economy, they remain underserved by conventional financing channels.
The event, held under the theme “Unlocking SME Potential – A Capital Markets Perspective”, brought together regulators, market experts, financial institutions and private sector leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing SME participation in capital markets.
Mr Sakulanda emphasised the importance of introducing more flexible listing requirements on the Lusaka Securities Exchange to encourage SME participation, alongside the development of innovative financial products tailored to the needs of smaller businesses.
He urged policymakers to create a more supportive regulatory environment that reduces barriers to entry.
He further noted that improving financial literacy and awareness among SMEs was key to enabling them to take advantage of capital market opportunities.
Public-private partnerships, he added, would be essential in expanding access to long-term funding for SMEs to scale up, improve competitiveness and create jobs.
ZACCI reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with regulators, market participants and development partners to unlock the full potential of SMEs and promote inclusive, sustainable economic growth across Zambia.
