Food Security & Livelihoods

ChildFund, We Effect Southern Africa, and the Civic Forum and Habitat have launched the Women Empowerment Small Micro-Enterprises Support Project, a European Union-funded initiative designed to promote economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs across Zambia.

This three-year project aims to equip women with the tools, training, and financial resources they need to scale their businesses, improve household incomes, and build sustainable livelihoods.At the launch event, EU Ambassador to Zambia, Karolina Stasiak, also lauded the project’s impact, stating:

“24,000 women in Lusaka will benefit, and we are excited about the impact this will have on communities across Zambia. Together, we’re empowering women, equipping youth, and fostering economic growth.”

ChildFund Zambia Country Director Victor Koyi joined the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Honourable Engineer Elias Mubanga, to unveil the project.

Speaking at the event, Minister Mubanga emphasized the project’s significance, stating: “By addressing both energy access and business capacity, we are unlocking new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, ultimately uplifting entire communities.” His remarks underscored the project’s dual strategy: strengthening business skills while addressing critical infrastructure barriers such as energy access.

ChildFund’s Role in Implementation

As a co-implementer, ChildFund will play a central role in supporting vulnerable women and youth through a comprehensive, multi-phased approach. This includes:

• Community mobilization: Engaging local authorities and traditional leaders to ensure inclusive and transparent participant selection.
• Training: Providing structured training in entrepreneurship, leadership, financial management, and gender equality.
• Group formation and mentorship: Supporting the creation and formalization of community groups and cooperatives, while offering mentorship, peer learning, and technical guidance.
• Market access and integration: Linking emerging entrepreneurs with local and national markets through public exhibitions, business forums, and partnerships with other development programs.

ChildFund’s involvement reflects its broader strategic commitment to children and families in Zambia.
“We aim to raise $40 million through our 2022–2026 Strategic Plan to deliver impactful programs in education, health, child protection, and livelihoods,” said Victor Koyi, Country Director for ChildFund Zambia. “This includes supporting 350,000 young people with the skills to secure productive, non-exploitative employment—empowering families and communities in the process.”

Breaking Barriers with Energy Access

A critical element of the initiative is the collaboration with We Effect Southern Africa to support the Lusaka Transmission Distribution Rehabilitation Project. This component aims to provide affordable, reliable electricity to small businesses, which is essential for the growth of women-led enterprises.

Regional Director of We Effect Southern Africa, Andreas Dolk, remarked: “This initiative breaks down barriers that have long constrained women and their businesses, providing them with the tools to succeed.”

Deborah Mwansa, a small business owner in Lusaka, shared her excitement: “This project is a game-changer for us women. Many of us have struggled to grow our businesses due to limited financial support and lack of electricity. Now, our business can grow, because we will be getting teh support we desperately need.”

The launch of the Women Empowerment Small Micro-Enterprises Support Project marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s path toward inclusive socio-economic development by removing systemic barriers such as lack of capital, training, and energy access for women-owned businesses.