NYAMUKA ZAMBIA NATIONAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Top Zambian Entrepreneurs Share Skills for Success

Participants and speakers interact during the Nyamuka Zambia National Business Conference

Lusaka, Zambia – The first ever Nyamuka Zambia National Business Conference brought together growth-oriented entrepreneurs and business leaders to share and learn business insights from top performing entrepreneurs in Zambia recently.

30 impressive speakers from across a broad spectrum of industries, including Zambia’s fastest growing sectors including agriculture, fast-moving consumer goods, construction, as well as other industries such as sanitation and waste management challenged entrepreneurs to innovate, and drive change.

In addition to learning practical business skills and tips, the 200-plus participants learnt strategies for growth, financing and resourcing their business, management tips, as well as marketing skills to build a sustainable brain. The conference was also an opportunity for participants to network with each other, which they did to good effect.

Participants and speakers interact during the Nyamuka Zambia National Business Conference

“The theme of Entrepreneurship for Job Creation, Business Success and Profitability couldn’t be better delivered than by the entrepreneurs who have already done it, who understand the market, who know the path these up and coming entrepreneurs are travelling on,” said Shalin Jethi, Manager of Nyamuka Zambia.

The conference, which was held on July 30 at the Mulungushi Conference Centre, was a key part of the Nyamuka Zambia Business Plan Competition, which seeks to unleash entrepreneurial talent across Zambia and to promote diversity, especially by encouraging more women and young people to enter the entrepreneurial space in Zambia.

The competition was launched in March, receiving and overwhelming response with more than 550 people applying, from which 60 semi-finalists were selected last month to go forward to the next stage of the competition.

“The business conference was a real success in providing entrepreneurs with the building blocks to move their businesses forward and transform them into sustainable enterprises that will create jobs, wealth, and contribute towards the growth of Zambian economy, we couldn’t be happier with the turnout,” explained Mr  Jethi.

The conference was opened by Honorable Margaret Mwanakatwe, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and the acting British High Commissioner, Sean Melbourne, both urging the participants to be courageous and participate in building the nation.

Participants and speakers interact during the Nyamuka Zambia National Business Conference

The keynote was delivered by high profile investment banker, Justin Chinyanta reminded the entrepreneurs that despite the challenges, Africa, and Zambia indeed still offers many opportunities for those with a vision and willing to work hard.

“The creation of any business needs that entrepreneurial first step or decision and commitment to getting the business to be sustainable,” Justin Chinyanta noted.

During the one-day event business experts and leading entrepreneurs shared knowledge, skills and tools to enable participants to go away equipped and motivated for success.

The Nyamuka National Business Conference provided a platform for conference-goers, including semi-finalists, other entrepreneurs and growth-orientated SMEs, to interact with each other and leading entrepreneurs in Zambia, actively learning from their experiences.

The Nyamuka Zambia conference and the business plan Competition is part of the Private Enterprise Programme – Zambia (PEPZ), a five year initiative funded by the UKAID that strives to enhance productivity and competitiveness in Zambia’s private sector by strengthening the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises to deliver inclusive economic growth.

Conference sponsors include ZANACO, the Zambia Development Agency, the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce, and Cavmont Bank.