NATIONAL development cannot be achieved without strong private sector participation.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI), Presidential Delivery Unit head Kusobile Kamwambi underscored this message, adding that businesses have a critical role to play in driving economic transformation.
“Sustainable enterprise is central to achieving Vision 2030, strengthening competitiveness and positioning Zambia within a rapidly evolving global economy,” she said.
Her words underscore a truth that has long been evident: government alone cannot meet the financing needs of the country, nor can it create jobs at the scale required to lift all the citizens out of poverty. It is the private sector that must be empowered to take centre stage.
We agree with Ms Kamwambi’s assertion that sustainability is now a central pillar of competitiveness.
Global investment flows increasingly favour enterprises that integrate environmental, social and governance principles.
Zambia must therefore ensure its private sector is ready to seize these opportunities.
As she rightly pointed out, Africa remains underrepresented in global carbon markets, despite contributing only a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a gap Zambia can exploit, with the private sector leading the charge through innovation and sustainable practices.
SBI executive director Rebecca Silolezya reinforced this point, warning that Government alone cannot meet the country’s financing needs.
“The majority of the funding needed to help us achieve our national development goals will have to come through private sector mobilisation,” she rightly observed.
We agree. Structural gaps continue to hinder effective deployment of capital, and innovative financial solutions are urgently required. Programmes such as the Carbon Markets Accelerator are designed to help businesses understand and participate in carbon trading, while circular economy principles encourage efficient use of scarce resources. These are practical pathways to resilience and competitiveness.
Realising this, Government has taken deliberate steps to empower private individuals to engage in business. Through Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) loans, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans and grants, and skills training programmes, ordinary Zambians are being equipped with the tools to participate meaningfully in the economy. These investments in human capital and enterprise have enabled citizens to start businesses, expand operations and acquire new skills. Through this, Government is laying the foundation for inclusive growth driven by private initiative.
The challenge now is to deepen private sector mobilisation and ensure that the empowerment programmes already in place translate into tangible results.
CEEC loans, CDF grants and skills training must be scaled up and delivered efficiently so that more citizens can seize opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, services and emerging green industries.
The Government has shown commitment by creating an enabling environment, but it is entrepreneurs, cooperatives and businesses across the country that must rise to the occasion.
Their participation will not only drive growth but also create jobs and reduce poverty while strengthening resilience against climate change.
It is clear that Zambia’s future prosperity depends on the strength of its private sector.
The UPND government has laid the foundation by empowering individuals, fostering innovation and aligning national priorities with global sustainability trends.
We agree with the view that public leadership must work hand in hand with private initiative.
If businesses embrace this call, Zambia will not only achieve the Vision 2030 but also secure a place as a competitive and resilient economy in the global marketplace.
Private sector key to Zambia’s growth
NATIONAL development cannot be achieved without strong private sector participation.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI), Presidential Delivery Unit head Kusobile Kamwambi underscored this message, adding that businesses have a critical role to play in driving economic transformation.
“Sustainable enterprise is central to achieving Vision 2030, strengthening competitiveness and positioning Zambia within a rapidly evolving global economy,” she said.
Her words underscore a truth that has long been evident: government alone cannot meet the financing needs of the country, nor can it create jobs at the scale required to lift all the citizens out of poverty. It is the private sector that must be empowered to take centre stage.
We agree with Ms Kamwambi’s assertion that sustainability is now a central pillar of competitiveness.
Global investment flows increasingly favour enterprises that integrate environmental, social and governance principles.
Zambia must therefore ensure its private sector is ready to seize these opportunities.
As she rightly pointed out, Africa remains underrepresented in global carbon markets, despite contributing only a small percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a gap Zambia can exploit, with the private sector leading the charge through innovation and sustainable practices.
SBI executive director Rebecca Silolezya reinforced this point, warning that Government alone cannot meet the country’s financing needs.
“The majority of the funding needed to help us achieve our national development goals will have to come through private sector mobilisation,” she rightly observed.
We agree. Structural gaps continue to hinder effective deployment of capital, and innovative financial solutions are urgently required. Programmes such as the Carbon Markets Accelerator are designed to help businesses understand and participate in carbon trading, while circular economy principles encourage efficient use of scarce resources. These are practical pathways to resilience and competitiveness.
Realising this, Government has taken deliberate steps to empower private individuals to engage in business. Through Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) loans, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans and grants, and skills training programmes, ordinary Zambians are being equipped with the tools to participate meaningfully in the economy. These investments in human capital and enterprise have enabled citizens to start businesses, expand operations and acquire new skills. Through this, Government is laying the foundation for inclusive growth driven by private initiative.
The challenge now is to deepen private sector mobilisation and ensure that the empowerment programmes already in place translate into tangible results.
CEEC loans, CDF grants and skills training must be scaled up and delivered efficiently so that more citizens can seize opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, services and emerging green industries.
The Government has shown commitment by creating an enabling environment, but it is entrepreneurs, cooperatives and businesses across the country that must rise to the occasion.
Their participation will not only drive growth but also create jobs and reduce poverty while strengthening resilience against climate change.
It is clear that Zambia’s future prosperity depends on the strength of its private sector.
The UPND government has laid the foundation by empowering individuals, fostering innovation and aligning national priorities with global sustainability trends.
We agree with the view that public leadership must work hand in hand with private initiative.
If businesses embrace this call, Zambia will not only achieve the Vision 2030 but also secure a place as a competitive and resilient economy in the global marketplace.