Nyamuka unviels 20 finalists
Twenty of Zambia’s most ambitious entrepreneurs gathered in Lusaka on Friday (August 19) to commence the next phase of their journey towards becoming future business leaders.
The 20 finalists of the Nyamuka Zambia Business Plan Competition, who were selected from a pool of 60 fledgling entrepreneurs from across the country, officially graduated during a ceremony in Lusaka at which they heard more details about the work ahead in order to stand a chance of winning the K250,000 top prize, along with 19 other runner-up prizes. This year’s 20 finalists have ideas from a vast array of sectors including manufacturing, agro-processing, agriculture, education, energy, logistics and information technology. Six of the finalists are women, which is an encouraging 30 percent of the total and 65 percent of the group are young adults aged 35 or younger.
The semi-finalists are: Andrew Nguvu, Bernard Kamweneshe, Chenge Mwenechanya, Deborah Shawa, Edith Sosala, Edward Kabwe, Godfrey Kapito, Ipini Shitambuli, Isaac Miselo, James Chihili, John Nyangu, Lungowe Stumbeko, Musanshi Chiluba, Musonda Kabamba, Obert Kasemuka, Papias Banda, Peter Nawa, Samuel Munjita, Temwaninge Gondwe and Ushiwa Chikunga.
The next phase involves the finalists revising their business plans with support and guidance from Nyamuka Zambia business advisors and mentors in order to bring their business concepts to life. Thereafter they will pitch their business ideas before a panel of high profile titans of industry in “The Game Plan” TV show.
“There are high levels of entrepreneurial optimism, ambition and innovation in this cohort of finalists. The road ahead will be even more challenging than the last few months. The finalists will be stretched as they refine their business plans and prepare to pitch their ideas before a panel of independent business magnates who will decide the winner of the competition,” explained Nyamuka Zambia Manager, Shalin Jethi.
“Zambia’s greatest opportunity to enhance its economy and increase the wealth of its citizens is dependent upon the success and growth of small enterprises,” he added.
Barclays-sponsored Nyamuka Zambia is one of four components under the Private Enterprise Programme Zambia (PEPZ), funded by UKaid.
Currently in its second season, this year’s competition attracted more than 2,000 expressions of interest from entrepreneurial hopefuls who cut across various economic sectors.
The application period ran from March 10 and closed on April 29, 2016. During this period Nyamuka Zambia supported entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a series of 24 workshops and 42 clinics in Lusaka and the Copperbelt that helped them develop stronger business proposals.