I’m yet to experience the ‘great MSME environment’ HH claims he has created – Nyasulu
By Victor PM Nyasulu-LLB, CGMA, FCMA, CA(Zambia)
The Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises-MSMEs & Cooperatives INDABA, 2025 finally happened last week 30 to 31st October 2025 as planned by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises-MSMEs.
I say “Job well done to the MMSMEs” for organising yet another successful Indaba!
The energetic Minister Mubanga managed to secure the President Hakainde Hichilema’s presence together with the Minister of Commerce, Honourable Chipoka Mulenga. The Africa Continental Free Trade Area-AfcFta was represented by Madam Mahamah-Senior Advisor-MSME development.
As usual President HH did not disappoint when it came to the ‘nice things and environment he has created for the MSMEs in Zambia to thrive! The only thing is that as an MSME operator myself, I am yet to experience the said ‘great environment’ as my clients continue complaining about the GRZ and other big boys private entities poor payment culture.
Some of the enabling environment matters the President highlighted and boasted about are as follows (with my short commentary against each of the issues):
1..Debt restructuring. The President insisted on the 94% debt restructuring success rate and disagreed with the lady he claimed he did not want to name despite knowing her! Of course the alert attendees must have known he was referring to Ms. Kapwepwe who had claimed that the restructuring success rate had been a paltry 44%! My comment on this point is that Zambian MSMEs are yet to feel the benefit of the restructuring because the paying culture has remained the same from both GRZ and some private big corporates who buy things and services from MSMEs on credit. The liquidity is very low is the confession in the market place!
2. Strengthening of the kwacha and other macro-economic variables. Exchange rate movements are a double edged sword that has winners and losers regardless of which way it goes. The importers will soon have some relief if the kwacha holds while the exporters will have to find more kwacha to pay their local denominated expenses. This is not a straightforward benefit to all MSMEs as even local costs take time to respond to a strengthened kwacha!
3. Local content legislation. This is of course a very welcome development but its early days! One wonders why it is coming so far into the United Party for National Development-UPND government! This measure as much as it is welcome exposes the GRZ to its political enemies to suspect and claim this is politicking regardless of the expected future benefits to Zambian MSMEs!
4. Decaderising market spaces. SOWETO market was singled out as an example of a market space where cadres no longer mercilessly interfere with micro farmers and others as it was under PF. The “ending” of run-away caderism as it was practiced under the Patriotic Front-PF government reign is one of the clearest “kwenyu” under the UPND. As the political temperature rises unto the 2026 election, it remains to be seen if the ‘discipline’ so far exhibited by the UPND cadres shall hold. I hope it does hold for the benefit of the MSMEs at Markets and Bus Stations!“Climate Change is Real” were surprising words that came out of President HH’s mouth when he reiterated the government’s sleepless nights over the debilitating loadshedding that is ravaging the most vulnerable MSMEs! The President’s acknowledgement of climate change negatives is interesting given his earlier attitude while in opposition when he objected to the PF’s attributing the loadshedding to climate change!
Outside of the presidential address It was refreshing to watch short video clips of “success stories” linked to the work of the MMSMEs.
Despite the acclaimed importance of MSMEs to our economy, the actions on the ground by both private and public sector ‘big boys’ do not reflect that importance when it comes to employment, the sheer number of businesses and GDP contribution.
As a platinum sponsor of the Indaba, Stanbic highlighted their new MSMEs product offerings as Market entry assistance and the TAMANGA pre approval loan of up to K500,000. The MSMEs were prodded to be target investee-ready by professionalising their businesses!
The AfcFta-Representative, Ms. Mahamah (Senior. Advisor on MSME development) made mention of some of the key things being done to assist MSMEs in Africa to be ready for the AfcFta. The three priority aims are to Build export readiness, Enhance access to affordable finance and Integrate MSMEs into the continental network of MSMEs for collaborative purposes.
In conclusion I must say that Zambia has done enough talking and it is time the GRZ became aggressive in giving robust support to MSMEs! It is the only way they can walk the talk! CHINA is aggressive and its reaping the benefits of their solid support to its MSME sector!
In the second place I agree with the President that we too as Zambian MSMEs must be aggressive and follow up on all potential support advertised and unadvertised from both the private and public sector! Let us stop being complainants and instead insist on our share of the support rather than wait to be chosen and spoon fed!
Nahiti mwani!
The Author, VICTOR PM NYASULU Consult-VNc is also Partner at NS-CGMA +260 955 746 997. vpmn69@gmail.com
