Inside the Programme Equipping 170 Zambian Entrepreneurs for Success

We recently marked the conclusion of the final in-person workshop for the Youth-Led MSME Empowerment Programme, an initiative by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts in partnership with UNDP Zambia, and facilitated by BongoHive. This ambitious journey, which successfully ran in Livingstone, Kitwe, and finally, Lusaka, brought together 170 of Zambia’s brightest young entrepreneurs with one clear goal: to empower them for regional market integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

The core aim of the programme was to address the critical need for practical, hands-on business skills that enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to move from idea to execution, and from local survival to regional growth. In an economic landscape where SMEs are the engine for diversification and job creation, this initiative is designed to provide a comprehensive toolkit for success. 

Building a Resilient Foundation for Growth

Instead of merely a simple overview, the programme immersed the participants in a three-day curriculum designed to fundamentally strengthen their operational and strategic capabilities.

First, the entrepreneurs were equipped with the Business Model Canvas (BMC), a useful tool to move their ideas from a concept to a structured plan. This was crucial because it made them define the very heart of their business: their specific customer segments, their unique value proposition and how they would build customer relationships and generate revenue. By visualising their entire business on a single page, participants could identify gaps in their strategy early on,  creating a solid foundation for their pitch decks and marketing plans. 

With a clear business model in place, the focus shifted to Branding and Digital Marketing. This was more than just designing logos; it was about building a reputation and trust, which is essential. Participants learned to apply Design Thinking, a five-step process of empathising, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing then finally their marketing. This human-centered approach ensures they create digital strategies that are relevant and engaging for their target audience.

Finally, the workshop culminated in Pitching and Public Speaking. A brilliant business plan is only effective if it can be communicated persuasively. This session equipped entrepreneurs with the skills to structure a compelling business pitch; clearly defining the problem, their solution, the competition, and what they need to grow (“The Ask”). Honing their public speaking skills was key to building credibility and ensuring their vision could confidently be presented to investors, partners, and judges at the upcoming pitch competition. 

The journey did not end at the workshop. As promised, the programme culminated in a final pitch competition, where the entrepreneurs presented their polished business cases to a panel of judges. The competition was a remarkable showcase of innovation, resilience, and vision.

We are proud to announce the top entrepreneurs who stood out and have won seed funding to catalyse their growth:

First Place: Chilumba Mutale – Yaaka Investments LTD (Securing a grand prize of a K50,000 seed fund grant)

Second Place: Kondwani Nyirenda – Uniplexity AI LTD

Third Place: Nomsa Ngoma – Tiyeni Mobility

 Fourth Place: Jimmy Kayika – Zambian ARTS Publishing

This seed funding is a launchpad. For these winners, the grants and investor linkages will accelerate their journey to becoming “export-ready.” By mastering their business models, branding, and pitching, these entrepreneurs are now better positioned to develop comprehensive export plans, understand market-entry strategies, and identify opportunities within regional value chains.

This collaboration has proven to be a vital step in fostering a new generation of Zambian entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the continent. Congratulations to our winners and to all 170 participants for their incredible dedication. Together, we are building a more prosperous and innovative future for Africa.