Four Statutory Bodies under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, working with the Ministry of Commerce, have pledged to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with appropriate skills along the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA), Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA), and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) made the pledge during a training module development workshop held in Chisamba today, targeting SMEs in North-Western and Copperbelt Provinces under the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project.
ZMA Executive Director and Chairperson of the SME Training under the project, Humphrey Nkobeni, emphasized the role of SMEs in driving inclusive and sustainable development.
“SMEs account for more than 70 per cent of employment and contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) yet many lack access to modern skills, market intelligence, financial literacy, and value chain integration,” said Mr. Nkobeni.
He said the collaboration places the four institutions in a strong position to achieve the project’s overarching objective to accelerate growth in both domestic and cross-border trade along the Lobito corridor.
Mr. Nkobeni also highlighted that the workshop aims to develop practical training tools tailored to the needs of SMEs, with a focus on helping businesses grow, formalize, and access new markets, emphasizing an inclusive economic participation, with particular support for women- and youth-led enterprises.
He said the broader Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project is supported by the African Development Bank and is designed to improve both domestic and cross-border trade among Angola, Zambia, and the DRC.
This is contained in a statement issued to RCV News by ZCSA Communications and Public Relations Manager Brian Hatyoka.
By Margaret Mwanza
