ENTERPRISE Zambia Challenge Fund

Celebrating Aquaculture Milestones! Today, we proudly joined Zambika Aqua Farm and partner Gailsea Innovation Ltd, a beneficiary of the European Union grant, in celebrating the successful opening of their new Aqua Farm Hatchery in Kafue District. This milestone marks a significant achievement in Zambia's aquaculture sector! The hatchery is set to produce 18 million fingerlings annually, boosting fish farming participation, enhancing production capacity, and contributing meaningfully to the national GDP. This facility will also strengthen food security and create valuable job opportunities both directly and indirectly across the aquaculture value chain. With support from the European Union funded Enterprise Zambia project, Zambika has empowered and trained over 1,000 smallholder fish farmers in Kafue District, providing them with the skills and resources needed for sustainable fish farming, from pond construction to fingerling access, market linkages and continuous extension services. Here's to sustainable aquaculture in Zambia! The ENTERPRISE Zambia project is implemented by Self Help Africa and Imani Development, with funding from the European Union. #TeamEurope #EUDZambia #EUDelZambia

Is your business 'medium sized' as per 2024 MSME Policy and operating in the Green, Circular and Digital Economy? Are you looking to scale your business, or considering transitioning to more sustainable practices? The EU funded Green Recycling Enterprises Engaging in New Technology for a Circular Economy in Zambia (GREENTech4CE) is calling for concept notes covering the following sectors: - Manufacturing - Mining - Digital - Transport and Logistics - Construction - Services - Energy The project intends to enhance the capacity of medium sized enterprises with financial support, allowing these enterprises to transition, upgrade and/or expand their green, circular and digital business models. We are accepting grant applications between €100,000 to €500,000. To learn more and apply, Self Help Africa team will host a second virtual information session on tomorrow 28th November, 2024 @10:30am CAT. Click on the link below to participate: https://lnkd.in/gWFypPwE

Starting my career by working in three of the world’s top five largest economies profoundly shaped the foundations of my journey. These experiences provided a deep understanding of global markets, the opportunities created by large populations and demographics, and the power of harnessing economies of scale in manufacturing. Returning home to Zambia was not just a homecoming—it ignited a vision to leverage Zambia's abundant resources and the strong foundations already built at Two Six Zero Brands Africa. It reinforced my resolve to do more for #Zambia, for #Africa, and for our people, while appreciating the broader regional opportunities that surround us. Winning the Agro-Processing Exporter of the Year Award is a moment of pride for all of us at 260 Brands. This milestone represents the culmination of hard work, dedication, and a collective commitment to our vision of providing high-quality, nutritious products across Africa. #Innovation —one of our five core values — enables us to seize the opportunity to move products from Zambia across borders. Moving products within the African continent is no small feat. Logistics remains one of the greatest challenges in export, with fragmented infrastructure, varying regulatory requirements, and cross-border complexities. Along the way, we’ve made mistakes—some of them costly—but we’re grateful to our partners for viewing these as opportunities to learn and grow. Despite these challenges, immense opportunities lie in creating a seamless intra-African trade network. With 14 select countries representing over 40% of Africa's population—and with our brands already present in four of them—we envision a future of stronger collaborations, more accessible markets, and a unified commitment to feeding our continent. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team members (and supporting families members), especially those in manufacturing and supply chain, who navigate these complexities with resilience and ingenuity. A special note of gratitude goes to Norfund, who took a leap of faith in us during the challenging COVID period and has continued to stand by us, offering trust and support when we needed it most, particularly in tough times faced due to the drought in Zambia this year. We value this partnership deeply and look forward to the growth ahead. To all our partners ENTERPRISE Zambia Challenge Fund Feed the Future USAID/Zambia SNV USAID Africa Trade and Investment Activity Tetra Pak and many more - we thank you! Lastly, to my partner and rock, Ginisha —you have been my source of strength through every high and low - thank you for the sacrifices. Together, we continue to push boundaries and work toward our dream of nourishing lives, ending malnutrition, and creating sustainable value across Africa—empowering everyone to truly #TasteTheGoodLife. Let’s keep striving for excellence and challenging our own boundaries. 🌍💪 #260Brands #Nutramilk #Nutrasip

Do you wish to learn more about the GREENTech4CE Call for Concept Notes? Self Help Africa will hold an interactive virtual *Pre-Application Information Session* which will provide more details on the Call for Proposals and answer frequently asked questions. Join the meeting tomorrow 21st November, 2024 at 10:30 hours. Visit the link below to join: https://lnkd.in/dnEiHfJi European Union in Zambia Self Help Africa Imani Development Prospero

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY! Is your business medium sized as per 2024 MSME Policy? Are you operating in the Green, Circular and Digital Economy and looking to scale your business, or considering transitioning to more sustainable practices? The Green Recycling Enterprises Engaging in New Technology for a Circular Economy in Zambia (GREENTech4CE) will soon be putting out a call for Concept Notes covering several sectors and activities. For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/dtHiFWQj European Union in Zambia Imani Development Prospero

Over the course of my career I’ve seen many successful innovations that boost agricultural production, increase harvests, improve food security and ultimately reduce hunger. The problem, invariably, is scaling. And that’s where finance comes in. So I was delighted to be part of the Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development (IFIAD) Annual Conference last week, with the theme ‘Financing Zero Hunger - Where should we focus investment to reach the furthest behind?’ With backsliding on hunger related targets for the Sustainable Development Goals, it’s a really important subject. Speaking as part of the panel here, I emphasised the importance of social protection and insurance for smallholder farmers. We must de-risk investments, and provide incentives too, to encourage smallholder farmers and private sector actotrs to invest in agriculture.   A few examples here are two agri-food investment funds managed by Self Help Africa - the AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund and the ENTERPRISE Zambia Challenge Fund - providing an investment in small and medium enterprises in the agrifood sector, including the use of blended finance. This investment = more resilient food systems, and economic opportunities.  The right incentives and support systems are crucial to develop food systems in Africa and beyond, that attract investment and support innovation. Especially for marginal farmers, without safety nets such as insurance and access to finance, a single failed harvest can destroy livelihoods.  And with climate change making failed harvests an all-too-familiar occurrence, it’s clear that finance, food systems and climate action are more closely linked than ever before. So it’s with great interest that I’ll be following #COP29 and sharing my thoughts over the coming weeks - with financing again front and centre. Great to be on a really interesting and engaging panel for the IFIAD conference, moderated by Damien O Reilly, alongside Liz Wilson, Miatta Garmai Darwolor and Keith Palmer. Thank you and congratulations to Charles Spillane and Patrice Lucid for all their efforts in putting the event together, and Minister of State Seán Fleming for his attendance and support.

Happy Monday! Today, we highlight the impact of the European Union through grant beneficiary ASBA Resources. They are advancing the provision of rural hubs for livestock farmers in Eastern Zambia. Through the Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund project, the EU partners with agribusinesses to increase income and nutrition security for smallholder farmers in Zambia. Learn more about their work here: https://lnkd.in/dZytJz7Y The ENTERPRISE Zambia project is implemented by Self Help Africa and Imani Development, with funding from the European Union. #TeamEurope #EUDZambia #EUDelZambia

Highlighting the impact of our grant beneficiaries! Based in Chipata, Nokamu operates agri-input sales outlets in eight districts of Eastern Province. These outlets sell a range of seed, feed, fertilisers and chemicals. The company has been working with smallholder farmers, running a sunflower out grower scheme by providing inputs and extension support to smallholder farmers. With support from the European Union funded Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund project implemented by Self Help Africa with support from Imani Development, Nokamu Agro is expanding the out-grower scheme of smallholder farmers in order to secure a sustainable supply of quality sunflower, increasing access to certified seed in order to increase yields and quality high oil content. This will also include the construction or refurbishment of warehouses for bulking and storage. Read more about Nokamu's work here: https://lnkd.in/dSadZkTb The ENTERPRISE Zambia project is implemented by Self Help Africa and Imani Development, with funding from the European Union. #TeamEurope #EUDZambia #EUDelZambia

Celebrating 60 years of Zambia's Independence! Today, we honor the strength that comes from our unity and diversity. Happy Independence Day! #Zambia@60

Celebrating the impact of the EU grant on Zambian agribusinesses. Continental Ginnery Limited (CGL) is an agricultural company involved in cotton aggregation and processing. CGL works with smallholder farmers of Masumba area, Eastern Province to provide training on the importance of crop diversification and buying good quality seed that results in high yields. Through the Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund, the EU partners with agribusinesses to increase income and nutrition security for smallholder farmers in Zambia. Read more about CGL's work with smallholder farmers: https://lnkd.in/dZQ3Sqqm The ENTERPRISE Zambia project is implemented by Self Help Africa and Imani Development, with funding from the European Union. #TeamEurope #EUDZambia #EUDelZambia