The Zambia Development Agency has approved a US$600,000 loan facility under the Zambia Export Development Fund (ZEDF) to support businesses exporting Zambian products.
According to a statement issued by ZDA Head of Communications and Public Relations Kwali Mfuni, US$400,000 has been allocated to youth-led export enterprises to help young entrepreneurs access finance and expand into regional and international markets.
The remaining US$200,000 will support Small and Medium Enterprises supplying goods and services to the mining sector, promoting local participation in the mine supply value chain.
The financing programme is being implemented through a partnership between the Ministry of Finance and National Planning and the European Union to support export growth and economic diversification.
ZEDF Fund Manager Dr. David Chewe says the focus on youth-led enterprises reflects a forward-looking strategy to strengthen non-traditional exports and create jobs.
By Best Jere
