13 Modules, One Goal: SME Growth


... The Training modules are a tailored skills development by the national quality infrastructure (NQI) to enhance competitiveness under the Lobito Corridor project.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24  – (June 15, 2025) -The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and its partners have developed 13 training modules to build the capacity of over 40 agriculture-focused Cooperatives and SMEs in North-Western Province, under the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project aimed at positioning local producers for success in local and international markets

ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations, Brian Hatyoka, confirmed in statement issued on Sunday that the training content was finalized during a one-week workshop held in Chisamba involving officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA).


"The 13 modules span key sectors and topics critical to agro-based SME operations: Honey Production, Principles of Food Hygiene, Packaging and Labelling, Aquaculture, Legumes and Pulses, SME Competition, Cassava Production, Good Agricultural Practices, Milk Production, Stock Feed, Cereal Processing, Confectionary Products, and Timber and Wood Processing," Hatyoka said in a statement.

"The training will commence in the second half of 2025 and is intended to equip participants with practical knowledge and technical skills needed to improve product quality, reduce business inefficiencies, and gain access to broader markets," he added.



Speaking at the workshop’s close, Ministry of Commerce Director of Technical Regulations, Brian Moonga, emphasized that enhanced product quality will directly benefit farmers and small-scale producers in the region.

“Often, farmers and SMEs receive lower incomes because their products fail to meet processing, storage, or packaging standards,” Moonga said. 

“This initiative will help them comply with technical requirements and access better market opportunities.”

Echoing this, ZMA Executive Director and Chairperson of the SME Training under the Lobito Trade Facilitation Project, Humphrey Nkobeni, stated that the modules are designed to do more than inform—they aim to empower.

“SMEs need more than information; they need confidence,” Nkobeni said. “These modules will not only build business competence but also support innovation, adaptability, and financial literacy. They’re structured to improve productivity, cut costs, and help SMEs grow sustainably.”

Nkobeni added that enhancing the competitiveness of Zambian SMEs is essential for unlocking the full potential of the Lobito Corridor, which connects Zambia with Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, facilitating cross-border trade and economic integration.

The training content was developed as part of an agreement signed in October 2024 between the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and three national quality infrastructure (NQI) institutions—ZCSA, ZABS, and ZMA—in partnership with CCPC. The collaboration is being supported by the African Development Bank.

The overarching goal of the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project is to accelerate domestic production and stimulate cross-border commerce by equipping SMEs and cooperatives with the tools and standards they need to thrive in competitive markets.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Brother, A Leader, A Lesson

Image
 Bishop Mwamba’s Tribute to Lungu Lusaka, Zambia24, Thursday, June 5, 2025 – United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Bishop Trevor Mwamba has paid tribute to the late Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, describing him as a man of the people, a personal friend, and a national figure whose life and leadership offer Zambia both memory and lesson. In a statement delivered Thursday, Bishop Mwamba extended condolences to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the entire nation, while encouraging citizens to reflect not only on the man Lungu was, but on the legacy he leaves behind. “I, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, extend my sincere sympathies to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the Zambian people on the passing of His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” he said.  “As President of UNIP, I also convey our party’s deep condolences at this moment of national loss.” Recalling Lungu as his former classmate, Mwamba spoke warmly of the former president’s personal qualities—h...
Read more

UNZA Unions set to hold strike ballot after failed conciliation talks

Image
Pumulo ... The University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU), UNZALARU, and UNZAWU are proceeding with a strike ballot after months of unproductive negotiations, citing unresolved issues related to compensation, working conditions, and a severe funding shortfall affecting the university's operations. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 - (6-11-2024) -  The three major unions at the University of Zambia (UNZA) have announced that they will conduct a strike ballot next week after prolonged efforts to negotiate an agreement through a formal conciliation process failed to yield results. Likezo Pumulo, President of the University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPROSU), addressed the media on behalf of UNZAPROSU, the University of Zambia Lecturers' and Researchers' Union (UNZALARU), and the University of Zambia and Allied Workers Union (UNZAWU). Pumulo explained that the decision to hold a strike ballot follows several months of intense discussions involv...
Read more

Breaking Silence, Saving Lives

Image
Journalists Join Safe Motherhood Fight and are challenging taboos to protect women’s health. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 — (20-05-2025) - The Ministry of Health convened a critical media orientation in Lusaka to commemorate Safe Motherhood Week and the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, emphasizing renewed efforts to improve maternal health outcomes across Zambia. The event brought together media professionals, health experts, and key stakeholders to amplify messages on safe maternal health services and the urgent need to end obstetric fistula. In his keynote address, Dr. Aspha S. Choonga stressed the pivotal role of the media in advocating for women’s rights to safe, dignified, and respectful maternal health care. “Your presence here today is not just appreciated—it is vital,” Dr. Choonga said, urging media practitioners to break taboos and inform the public on these critical issues. He outlined the four pillars of Safe Motherhood: family planning, antenatal care, c...
Read more