PRESIDENT HICHILEMA UNVEILS AMBITIOUS BLUEPRINT FOR MSME GROWTH AT THE 2025 NATIONAL INDABA,CALLS FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Today, President Hakainde Hichilema officially opened the 2025 National MSME and Cooperatives Indaba at Mulungushi International Conference Centre from 30th – 31st October, 2025.
Addressing over 2500 delegates, President Hichilema reaffirmed that small and medium-sized businesses are the engine of the economy, while announcing a major push to cut bureaucratic hurdles for entrepreneurs.
The President acknowledged that there are too many licenses to operate a business and pledged that the government is streamlining registration processes to make it easier to start and run a company.
He challenged business owners to match government efforts with greater professionalism, urging them not to treat their ventures “like a hobby.”
He encouraged SMEs to invest in their businesses, improve product packaging, and form cooperatives to grow stronger. The government will prioritize buying from local businesses through the Local Content Bill.
Looking to the future, President Hichilema highlighted the vast opportunity presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, calling Africa “the next biggest single market.”
The President concluded by reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the government and the private sector. βThere can be no large business without MSMEs,β he stated, adding, βDo your part, and we will do our part as government.β
Senior Advisor MSME Development-Office of the AfCFTA Secretary General, Ms. Abibata Shani Mahama said the AfCFTA Secretariat remains committed to working with all stakeholders to make Africaβs integration inclusive and people-centered.
Ms. Mahama said through the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, the Protocol on Digital Trade, and partnerships with financial institutions, AfCFTA is laying the foundations for enterprises to trade and thrive.
Present during the event was Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Hon. Eng. Elias Mubanga, Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Subeta Mutelo, Directors from the Ministry, Cabinet Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Senior Government Officials, SMEs, Cooperatives, Secretariat from the AfCFTA and members of the Public.
The 2025 National MSME and Cooperatives Indaba stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and prosperous environment for the entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the Zambian economy.