Zambian businesswomen take credit for growth
Related pages: Zambia
country profile |
MDG 3: Gender | Christian Enterprise
Trust of Zambia
In
Livingstone, Zambia, close to Victoria Falls, almost 1,500 families are reaping
the benefits of having access to small loans, known as micro-finance. These loans
are used to help expand existing businesses or set up new ones, a service not
provided by local banks. The Livingstone branch of Christian Enterprise Trust of
Zambia (CETZAM) is entirely funded by DFID (£7 million, 1998-2005).
Women in leadership roles
Three-quarters of CETZAM's clients are women and many run more than one
business. Everybody joining CETZAM begins with a group loan. Fred Chaatila,
CETZAM's Branch Manager explains that "within the groups we have a
deliberate policy of encouraging women to be in leadership roles".
 Brandina Kabwe runs three businesses from her home in Livingstone and was her
group's chairperson. She emphasises how important the group was, even when
members struggled to make repayments. "We had to cover their payments. But,
we never used to chase them away, we thought if we keep them, they'll improve.
CETZAM is teaching us how to be responsible at paying money back."
Brandina glows as she walks around her garden, and explains how she came to
set up a business in plants for the home and garden: "I love nature and I
wanted to help my fellow ladies so that they can buy plants for their gardens
and homes or hire them when they have weddings". The business skills that
Brandina has learnt are put to good use as she buys plants from all over Zambia
to stay ahead of her competitors.
 Back
to top
Driving forward
 Fenet Muluza has six children and has been a member of CETZAM for four years.
She sells chickens and home-grown vegetables and runs a taxi company employing
two drivers.
Through hard work and shrewd decision making, Fenet's business is
now worth more than 45 times its original value and she has been able to pay for
her daughter's accountancy course.
Fenet has now applied for an individual loan
which will allow her to set up a car wash business.
Back
to top
A cut above the rest
 Hildah Moonga is 58 and has been running a butcher's shop in Livingstone for
eight years. The shop is spotless and well equipped, and as Hildah leans against
the counter smiling, she explains; "before joining CETZAM I didn't have
enough money to run the business, but now I have built and tiled my shop and
bought a fridge and a professional cutting machine. I can pay for my children's
school fees and afford extra tuition."
Hildah has a glint in her eye when
she talks about the future. She has already ordered a cold store room from
Namibia which will give her more storage space and her big ambition is to open
another butcher in a different part of Livingstone.
 Small amounts of micro-finance have made significant differences to each of
these women's lives. Edwin the Senior Loans Officer explains: "It's really
interesting to see people start from scratch and now they have a grocery shop.
Some of them can afford school fees. They really appreciate these loans."
Key facts
Useful links
Back to top
| 
