ZAMBIA is set to hold its first-ever National Indaba for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Cooperatives, aiming to foster collaboration and growth within the sector.
MSMEs permanent secretary Subeta Mutelo said the event was scheduled for April 10-11 at the Mulungushi International Conference Center.
The indaba will bring together over 700 participants from across the country.
“This Indaba is one of the proposed initiatives to foster collaboration among stakeholders,” said the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Elias Mubanga.
“One of the factors hindering the growth of MSMEs and cooperatives is lack of collaboration among stakeholders in the ecosystem.”
The Indaba will feature a conference program with exhibitions, business clinics, and panel discussions.
It will also provide a platform to learn best practices from other countries in the region, with speakers expected from India, Botswana, and South Africa, among others.
The Zambian government sees MSMEs and cooperatives as critical drivers of economic development and job creation.
“They account for about 97 percent of all businesses in Zambia, 70 percent of (Gross Domestic Product) GDP, 80 percent of employment,” said Mubanga. “The Ministry then started by creating a conducive policy environment by revising the MSME Policy.”
The revised MSME Policy, launched in December 2023, aims to establish a framework for collaboration among stakeholders within the MSME and cooperatives space.
Mubanga therefore said the upcoming Indaba is a key initiative under this policy.
Furthermore Mubanga highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting MSMEs.
He said several companies, including Zamtel and Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank, have already pledged financial and technical support for the event.
“The door is still open for anyone to come on board to provide financial and technical support in making the event a success.”
The minister said registration for the Indaba is now open, with space for exhibitions being limited.
The Ministry encourages all interested MSMEs, cooperatives, and other stakeholders to participate in this landmark event.
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