ZAMBIAN SMEs CALL FOR EASED ACESS TO FINANCE

A cross section of society in Zambia recentry complained that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) does not fulfill its mandate of disbursing funds to the Zambian people who seek loans to empower themselves. But what are the effects on the Small and Medium Scale entrepreneurs on the ground?

Small and Medium Scale entrepreneurs in Zambia have asked the government to make it easeir for them to access funds so that they can help in the development of the nation. Speaking in separate interviews in Lusaka’s Libala Township, the SMEs urged the government to ease the conditions so that many SMEs could have the opportunity to expand their businesses through the help of the CEEC.

Arthur Chembo who runs Arthur’s Blocks - a block making business along Chilumbulu road appealed to the government to reduce the requirements for one to qualify for a loan or financial assistance from CEEC. He said doing so will help many people who want to contribute to the nations economic growth come on board as compared to only people who have the money dominate and make themselves richer.

Chembo noted that once the government makes it easy for common people to access funds from CEEC, the crime rate in the country would reduce as many will have what to do as compared to the current situation on the ground. And a block maker Stephen Lungu from Chembo’s business entity said if the government could ease the cost of doing business in the country it would give him a chance to also start his business and become an employer.

Government should decentralize CEEC


Chembo has created employment to six people who make building blocks for sale to individuals or companies that are building. One block is going at K3, 500 (about $0.8 US) and he sales about 150 t0 200 building blocks to different clients with a daily earning of about K700, 000 ($ 155) if all goes well.

Another SME in the same area Kennedy Mambwe suggested that if the CEEC would be decentralized through out the country it would help more as compared to the centralization of the organization only in Lusaka.

What is CEEC all about?

Created under the current Zambian Constitution, the CEEC is a quasi government organization aimed at helping individuals and SMEs in the country acquire loans to start and expand businesses with the aim of empowering them. The CEEC is in Lusaka and all those who want assistance from the organization who are out of Lusaka have to travel to Lusaka to obtain the application forms and other necessary information. Recentry some people have complained of not having access to funds form the CEEC due to the conditions given to them to access the funds. Others say the centralization of the organization has denied many from having access to the funds. But CEEC Chairperson Mable Mungomba denied the allegations leveled against her organization as she said the organization was transparent.

Arthur Davies Sikopo