Standard Chartered Bank Commits K3.45 Million to ‘Africa Must Think’ 2025 Conference

Francis Maingaila 

Lusaka, Zambia24, - July 8, 2025 – Standard Chartered Bank Zambia has announced a major sponsorship package of K3.45 million towards the 2025 edition of the Africa Must Think Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive economic participation across the continent.

The announcement was made by Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Chief Executive Officer San Zulu during a press briefing held at the bank’s headquarters in Lusaka.

 The bank will serve as the Platinum Sponsor for the annual youth entrepreneurship event organised by the DLN Entrepreneurship Institute, led by its founder and CEO, Dumisani Ncube.

Zulu said the conference aligns with the bank’s strategic focus on “lifting participation,” one of its three global sustainability pillars alongside resetting globalisation and accelerating net zero.

 “We believe in the future of Zambia. We believe in the potential of young people, in entrepreneurship, and in building sustainable communities. This sponsorship is not just a financial contribution—it is a bold statement of belief in Africa’s future,” Zulu stated.

He explained that Standard Chartered’s support goes beyond funding, citing other initiatives such as a $500,000 commitment to the RISE Youth Programme and another $500,000 investment in its Women in Tech flagship initiative, all aimed at enhancing employability and entrepreneurial capacity among Zambians.

The Africa Must Think Conference has grown into a continental platform that challenges youth to rethink conventional development approaches and take ownership of Africa’s economic trajectory through innovation and leadership. 

Zulu noted that the theme resonates with the bank’s broader purpose of driving commerce and prosperity through diversity.

He further praised the DLN CEO’s symbolic trek from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Zimbabwe earlier this year, calling it an inspirational journey that sparked vital conversations and impacted communities across the region.

 “Africa’s greatest asset is its people—especially the young minds and entrepreneurs who are ready to challenge the status quo. But success doesn’t only come from capital. It comes from mindset. That is why we’re backing this initiative,” he said.

Zulu urged young people attending the 2025 event to act boldly and take initiative.

“Do not wait for permission to lead. Do not fear the weight of big ideas. Africa is counting on you—and so are we,” he said.

DLN Group Chief Executive Officer Dumisani Ncube hailed the donation during the ceremony, calling the moment “a powerful endorsement of progressive African thinking” and a turning point in the fight to transform the continent's mindset through entrepreneurship and innovation.

“This is not just a handover of a cheque. It is a handover of belief—belief in African solutions to African challenges,” Ncube said. “I have never seen any institution in Zambia invest such a significant amount in a cause it did not initiate. Standard Chartered Bank is showing what corporate leadership looks like.”

The Africa Must Think movement, spearheaded by DLN Group, has gained prominence for championing mindset change and youth entrepreneurship across Zambia and the region. The initiative attracted over 30,000 participants in 2024, making it the largest entrepreneurial gathering in the world that year, according to Ncube.

Now in its third year of partnership with DLN, Standard Chartered Bank’s support has extended beyond financial backing. Ncube revealed that senior executives from the bank, including CEO San Zulu, have physically joined outreach efforts—walking alongside traditional leaders and young innovators across borders from Congo to Zimbabwe.

“This speaks of consistency and belief in the potential of African minds. Their actions have gone beyond the boardroom. They have been present on the ground,” Ncube said.

He lamented what he described as a “retrogressive mindset” among many young people in Zambia, who are often distracted by social media trends rather than focusing on development and solutions. 

He said Africa Must Think offers a powerful alternative.

 “Too often, drama trends while development is ignored. But this movement is about shifting focus—encouraging young people to think, innovate, and act,” he added.

In response to the growing impact of the initiative, Ncube announced the formal launch of the Africa Must Think Movement, a year-round national campaign that will establish district and provincial chapters across the country. The goal, he said, is to identify and empower “African Thinkers”—young people committed to driving positive change in their communities.

“The support from Standard Chartered Bank will be used to reach young people in rural areas, girls in underserved compounds, and those who have given up on their dreams. We want to prove that meaningful change is possible,” he said.

The theme for the 2025 Africa Must Think Conference is “Breaking Boundaries”, a message Ncube says is intended to remind Zambians of their ability to do “exceptional things.”

He concluded by urging other institutions to follow Standard Chartered’s example and support efforts that promote innovation, mindset change, and national development.

 “This investment is not just money—it is belief. It is impact. And it is a wake-up call to all of us to think Africa forward,” Ncube