Business Empowerment

Women come together
The majority of unemployed women in Zambia face untold challenges after the death of a husband. The only way out of this problem is economic empowerment for innovative widows to support their little businesses. Some organisations jump on board to support such vulnerable groups.

Dennis Chanda


Boom in construction creates jobs
It is a good time in Zambia: loads of brick makers work with smiling faces. Boom... boom... boom.. The sound of shovels echo in the air as they mix  cement and sand.



Well, this sounds to be so true. Most of these brick makers are not skilled. It will only be true if the government would provide them  with the basic empowerment.

Construction Boom: Facts & Figures
Zambia has about 4,700,000 people in the labour force.
According to the Ministry of labour, about 85.5 % are in employment.
The construction industry  currently offers jobs for more than 40 thousand people.
Permanent secretary from ministry of labour adds that they expect more people to be employed in the field and starting training programme.
The construction industry happened to be one of the major sectors in Zambia.
Last year it contributed about 7.5% of the gross domestic products (GDP).

"First fruits" of Southern Africa’s one stop border post?
Business people in Africa have to wait long hours at the borders. This discourages many from engaging in cross border trade. The first One-Stop Border Post, the Chirundu Post, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe began operation in December 2009, to allow easy trade within the region. But do traders feel the difference?

Cynthia Mukwasa - ONE STOP BORDER POST by mfw4zambia

The frustrated bio fuel industry

As a landlocked country Zambia has to import 100% of its fuel stocks – a dangerous dependency for the country. Will the amendment of the energy policy influence growth in the bio fuel industry in the country? more

This dossier has been produced by:
Musa Conteh (Sierra Leone)
Rehema Salim Amri (Tanzania)
Arthur Davies Sikopo (Zambia)
Dennis Chanda (Zambia)
Cynthia Mukwasa (Zambia)
Mulima Situmbeko (Zambia)