Standard Chartered moves to support entrepreneurship in Zambia

Standard Chartered Bank Zambia has pumped in K500,000 towards 2023 Africa Must Think Conference, aimed at promoting a culture of entrepreneurships among Zambians.

Bank Chief Executive Officer, Sonny Zulu, said at media briefing in Lusaka on Monday that they were proud of the programme because it encourages youths not only to strive for employment, but to become entrepreneurs, thereby creating employment.

“This is why we are very proud to announce that we will be the platinum sponsor for the 2023 ‘Africa Must Think’ conference. This conference has grown momentum over the years and aligns with our youth empowerment vision,” Zulu said.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka on Monday, Zulu said they were supporting various youth empowerment programmes under the umbrella of its Future makers programme.

He pointed out that they currently had two key youth empowerment programmes, which were being implemented across Zambia.

“Youth to work, in partnership with Challenges Zambia, creates opportunities for young Zambians to become work-ready. Ultimately, the youth on our programme are empowered with work experience in local Zambian business, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” Zulu said.

He mentioned that Enhancing Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Programme as another initiative, which they were implementing.

At the same function, DLN Entrepreneurship Institute Chief Executive Officer, Dumisani Ncube, said the promotion of a culture of entrepreneurship would deal with the issue of the high unemployment in Zambia.

Ncube observed that government alone had no capacity to deal with the high unemployment.

Government’s role, he stated, was to create an enabling environment.

“Time has come for the private sector to come together and see how we can change the narrative.We can not just continue to depend on government,” Ncube said.

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