BongoHive, in partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, is proud to present Esineya T. Chilumbu, a recent recipient of a $10,000 grant through the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Incubator Program. Now in its fourth cohort, this program supports female entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and financial resources, helping them turn their visions into market-ready innovations. With a strong background in tech and a powerful vision for Zambia, Esineya is leading the way in bridging agricultural gaps with her startup, Chiseko.

“But you see, Tilyenji,” Esineya shared passionately, “I am determined to create a meaningful impact. We, as Zambia, can rise above the status quo – not only to provide sustenance for ourselves but to feed our region—actually, we can even feed the entire Africa. With our abundant arable land, resources for agricultural production, and the strategic use of agricultural technology, we can fully harness these assets to significantly boost our national GDP.” It’s this commitment to national growth and regional impact that drives Esineya and her mission to build a self-sustaining agricultural industry in Zambia.

Through the Standard Chartered Women in Tech program, Esineya found invaluable opportunities for professional and personal growth. Despite being a second-time founder, she describes the program as “incredibly educational.” “I gained a new perspective on my business,” she says. “I learned to define my business persona and understand the market more deeply. The self-development was amazing, and interacting with other founders opened my mind to new ideas.”

The program also provided Esineya access to a network of professionals, including lawyers, accountants, and mentors, who brought specialized knowledge to support her startup journey. “I now have a strong network I can reach out to anytime. BongoHive’s professional facilitation was excellent—they have a deep understanding of their content, breaking down complex concepts like business models into actionable insights,” she notes.

With the program’s $10,000 grant, Esineya and her team at Chiseko are currently building a digital platform designed to support Zambia’s farmers. This “Sekonomics platform” serves as an improved value chain for horticulture and will eventually expand to include livestock. Esineya explains that the platform will empower farmers by providing information on production, crop management, and market demands. As well as enable households, retailers, hospitality, and anyone really to conveniently purchase locally grown and traceable fresh produce at the click of a button—a feat she couldn’t have achieved without the funding.

“I’ve always been a woman in tech,” Esineya reflects, tracing her path from IT roles at the British High Commission and American Embassy to becoming a full-time founder. “Leaving my job to chase my dream shocked a lot of people—but I’m here to make a real impact.”

Founded in 2022, Chiseko addresses a critical disconnect in the Zambian agricultural landscape. Many small and medium-scale farmers struggle with market access and access to key insights and information. With a background in ICT, agriculture, economics, and innovation, Chiseko’s team is uniquely equipped to bridge these gaps. They have designed a digital platform that provides real-time, actionable data on topics like soil and weather conditions, crop management best practices, and market intelligence, including commodity pricing and trends.

Chiseko’s broader mission goes beyond information-sharing. They are creating a comprehensive agricultural support network, providing technical assistance, operational support, and business advisory services to farmers. By merging technology and agricultural expertise, Chiseko is building a value chain that connects Zambian farmers with wholesalers, retailers, and the hospitality sector, including partnerships with Hilton Hotel, Melissa Supermart, and others.