FNB Zambia Reaffirms Commitment to SME Growth

FNB Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to […]

FNB Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through financial solutions, digital innovation, business insights and strategic partnerships aimed at helping businesses start, grow and scale.

Speaking during the official opening of the first FNB Zambia SME Trade Fair at Manda Hill Mall in Lusaka today, FNB Zambia Acting Business and Commercial Banking Executive Luyando Mumba,said SMEs remained an important contributor to economic growth, job creation, innovation and community development.

Mumba said FNB Zambia views SMEs as more than businesses, describing them as opportunities that create livelihoods and empower communities.

“Every successful enterprise starts with an idea, but it is the support, partnerships, access to markets, access to finance, and access to knowledge that help transform that idea into a thriving business,” she said.

She said the bank’s role goes beyond providing traditional banking services, as FNB Zambia sought to work with businesses at different stages of their growth.

Mumba said the bank is committed to helping businesses through financial solutions, digital innovations, business insights and strategic partnerships.

She said the SME Trade Fair was created to provide businesses with opportunities to showcase their products and services, build networks, engage potential customers and connect with institutions that could support their growth.

“This platform is designed to create real opportunities. Opportunities for collaboration. Opportunities for learning. Opportunities for market access. And most importantly, opportunities for growth,” Mumba said.

She encouraged participating SMEs to use the platform to engage with visitors, share their business stories, build partnerships and explore new opportunities.

Mumba also urged members of the public to visit the exhibition stands and support local businesses contributing to Zambia’s economic development.

She said Zambia’s economic future would increasingly be shaped by entrepreneurs who are innovative, adaptable and resilient.

“The businesses represented here today are helping to build that future. They are creating jobs, expanding value chains, and contributing to national development,” she said.

Mumba further reaffirmed FNB Zambia’s commitment to working with SMEs through banking solutions, digital platforms, merchant services, lending solutions, transactional banking and advisory support.

Her remarks come as SMEs continue to call for greater access to markets, finance, information and business networks to help them survive and expand.

Optimus Cleaning Solutions founder Maria Ngweza, speaking at the same trade fair, said many SMEs could produce quality products and services but struggled to reach the right customers.

“Many SMEs can produce excellent products and deliver quality services, but struggle to reach the right customers. Sometimes the entrepreneur does not lack capacity. They lack visibility. And sometimes they do not lack ambition. They lack connections,” Ms Ngweza said.

She said SMEs needed more than financial support, calling for greater access to markets, information, networks and opportunities.

“SMEs do not only need handouts. We need access. Access to markets. Access to information. Access to networks. Access to finance. And access to opportunities,” she said.

Ngweza said platforms such as the FNB SME Trade Fair could help businesses showcase their capabilities, connect with potential customers and establish partnerships.

She urged entrepreneurs to use such opportunities to build relationships, exchange contacts and identify areas for collaboration.

The FNB Zambia SME Trade Fair brought together SMEs, government institutions, regulators, business development organisations and other stakeholders. The event featured exhibitions, business clinics, networking opportunities, business matchmaking and FNB advisory and financing services.

Article by Karen Ngulube