Free business support, guidance and marketing for SME’s in Zambia through PEP-Z

In this article

• PEP-Z Business Linkages Programme
• How PEP-Z and the BPL can support your business
• Example of PEP-Z BPL support
• Support criteria
• Documentation requirements

PEP-Z Business Linkages Programme (BPL)

PEP-Z is best known in Zambia for its Nyamuka business plan competition for start-up businesses, with a total prize fund of K2,000,000. The PEP-Z Business Linkages Programme (PBL) is another component of the overall Private Enterprise Programme Zambia.

The Best of Zambia and PEP-Z have partnered to make it easier for local SMEs to trade with corporations in Zambia and better participate in their supply chains through a range of initiatives in the Business Linkags Programme. Click here to read more about the partnership.

Run a local Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise in Zambia?

Get business support, guidance and marketing for SME’s in Zambia through PEP-Z and The Best of Zambia

• Capacity building support
• Part funded Best of Zambia membership
• Services/products matched with large coorperations
• Prestige and PR opportunities

Register your interest by emailing namwezi@thebestofzambia.com

How PEP-Z and the BPL can support your business

1. Capacity building support — a professional assessment of your company to highlight your strengths and areas for improvement. This includes:
2. Creating a strategic business plan
3. Improving your business management skills
4. Developing a gender strategy
5. Designing and improving your existing financial management information systems
6. Creating your marketing strategy and plan
7. Supporting your journey into quality assurance, management and certification
8. Improving your productivity and product quality
9. Developing your IT platforms for the improvement of your business processes.
10. Part funded Best of Zambia membership — thebestofzambia.com is currently hosting the PEP-Z certified business directory. The membership of qualifying businesses will be part funded (75%) by PEP-Z
11. Matching your products/services with large corporate companies in Zambia — giving you access to corporate value chains and capacity development to service corporate sourcing and procurement requirements
12. Prestige and PR opportunities as you become a PEP-Z certified business — adding additional credibility to your business as you are associated with PEP-Z, a UK Government funded programme. Being a PEP-Z certified business will add to your status and influence as a reputable and dependable local supplier.

Example of PEP-Z BPL support

So far, 115 SMEs have received support from PEP-Z through a range of solutions that includes:

1. Due diligence
2. Company assessments
3. Training
4. Technical assistance (grants)

PEP-Z BPL support criteria

To be supported by PEP-Z you must be a PEP-Z certified business. To qualify, your business must be:

1. A registered entity doing business for profit
2. Legally operating for more than 1 year
3. Majority owned by Zambian citizens
4. Employing more than 5 full-time people
5. Supplying a product or a service that is competitive and of value to Zambian corporations
6. Able to demonstrate a commitment to increasing opportunities for women
7. Able to demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability
8. Willing to benefit from matchmaking with corporations
9. Willing to be assessed to identify areas for improvement
10. Willing to become a member of or maintain your membership (part funded by PEP-Z) with thebestofzambia.com which is currently hosting the PEP-Z certified business directory

PEP-Z BPL support documentation requirements

To be supported by PEP-Z you will need to supply the following documentation:

• Company registration certificate
• VAT certificate
• List of registered shareholders and proof of ownership
• Management names and positions with short CVs
• Latest financial statement and/or management accounts
• Short presentation on the company’s needs
• Current business plan
• Trade references
• Confidentiality / non-disclosure agreement
• PEP-Z registration form
• Application form
• Intervention agreement

Note that PEP-Z will work with you to help you achieve some of these criteria and documentation.

Run a local Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise in Zambia?

Get business support, guidance and marketing for SME’s in Zambia through PEP-Z and the Best of Zambia

• Capacity building support
• Part funded Best of Zambia membership
• Services/products matched with large coorperations
• Prestige and PR opportunities

Register your interest by emailing namwezi@thebestofzambia.com