12/05/2026
MSMED and JICA Empower Zambian SMEs with US$100,000 Equipment Boost
Lusaka, Zambia - Tuesday, 12th April, 2026 – The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots industrial growth.
Earlier today, the Ministry celebrated a major milestone under the MSMED–JICA Joint Empowerment Programme, awarding five promising Zambian small-scale businesses with production equipment worth USD $20,000 each, marking a total investment of USD $100,000.
The handover ceremony marked the culmination of a rigorous capacity-building journey. Before receiving the tools of production, the selected entrepreneurs underwent intensive training in Kaizen (the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement), ILO SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) management principles, and dedicated mentorship.
The equipment is expected to significantly reduce manual labor, improve product quality, and enable bulk production – allowing each enterprise to move from survival to sustainable scaling.
The five beneficiary enterprises are:
1. Sabs Agro Dealers – Agricultural inputs and produce.
2. Succulent Brands – Specialty food and beverage products.
3. Bwikalo Embroidery – Custom textile and brand embroidery.
4. Mupapa Wood – High-end carpentry and furniture.
5. Travium Limited – Logistics and general supplies.
Speaking at the event, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Mr. Nicholas Chikwenya, noted that access to finance and modern equipment remains the single largest barrier for SMEs.
The Chief of Mission of the Japanese Embassy, Mr. Satoshi Ominato said by coupling Kaizen efficiency with ILO business management and then inserting capital equipment, we are not just giving handouts – we are engineering market-ready industries.
Chief Representative of JICA Zambia, Dr. Tomoko Ono, emphasized that the programme is designed to create a ripple effect: empowered SMEs are expected to hire more workers, reduce post-harvest or production losses, and serve as case studies for other entrepreneurs.
One of the recipients, visibly elated, shared: “For years we depended on small-scale, high-cost manual methods. The Kaizen training taught us to eliminate waste, and now this equipment will let us actually compete with larger players.”
With the tools now handed over, the next phase will include post-distribution monitoring and advanced market linkage support – ensuring that the USD $20,000 per business translates into measurable job creation and revenue growth.
Issued by:
Virginia Chilongo
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise
[email protected]
