BongoHive, Zambia’s premier innovation and startup hub, proudly hosted His Excellency Johan Hallenborg, the Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, along with his delegation. This visit marks a significant step toward fostering potential collaborations between Zambia and Sweden, two nations dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation.

Ambassador Hallenborg commended BongoHive’s transformative initiatives that are redefining Zambia’s startup ecosystem. He expressed admiration for the organization’s efforts and highlighted the growing potential for collaboration, suggesting that BongoHive is at the forefront of a pivotal evolutionary process within Zambia’s entrepreneurship landscape. The discussions were lively, filled with a shared enthusiasm for exploring partnerships that could yield mutual benefits for both Swedish enterprises and Zambian startups.

BongoHive co-founders, Lukonga Lindunda and Simunza Muyangana, warmly welcomed the delegation, setting a positive tone for the meeting. Kabwela Malupande, Manager of Growth and Partnerships, provided a detailed overview of BongoHive’s various programs aimed at nurturing startups and facilitating connections within the private sector. Simunza noted Zambia’s unique position as an emerging hub for innovation in Southern Africa, particularly as the South African market becomes increasingly saturated. He asserted that Zambia is ripe for investment and innovation, emphasizing the crucial role that Sweden could play as a strategic partner in this journey.

Lukonga reinforced the urgency of advancing the Startup Bill in Zambia, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach to build a robust entrepreneurship ecosystem. Drawing upon Sweden’s 4 Helix Model, which promotes collaboration among government, industry, academia, and civil society, he stressed the importance of creating an inclusive framework for fostering innovation and long-term economic growth.

Both parties expressed enthusiasm regarding future collaborations, which could range from technology exchange programs to knowledge sharing and investment opportunities. These initiatives are envisioned as critical avenues for supporting the growth of the startup ecosystem in Zambia and across Southern Africa.

As BongoHive continues its mission of empowering local entrepreneurs, this visit signifies a crucial milestone in its efforts to forge international partnerships that are anticipated to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape in Zambia.

For press inquiries, media contact: Tilyenji Mundungani, Marketing and Communication Lead at BongoHive, at [email protected].