Financial education goes digital

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes STANDARD Chartered Bank has partnered with Challenges Zambia to launch a Virtual Youth Mentoring initiative for youths which focuses on financial literacy, leadership skills and personal branding. The launch was held via Zoom video conferencing. Standard Chartered Bank Zambia’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Kyembe Kyalusanza, said growth and learning could happen in informal ways such as virtual mentoring sessions the Institution had been hosting. “As a bank we believe that it is important to empower the next generation to learn, earn and grow. This is not limited to a classroom or lecture room,” Ms Kyalusanza said. Challenges Zambia Senior Associate, Kasonde Kashulwe, stressed that this was a chance for young people to hear from successful people, to get inspired and to follow in their footsteps in future. “We are delighted to be partnering with Standard Chartered on this progressive initiative. At Challenges, we strongly believe in applied and experiential learning and in breaking down barriers for youth talent to contribute to the economy,” she said. In light of the new social distancing measures, the Bank launched the initiative to ensure that financial education and growth for Zambian youth continues. These sessions, which were previously held face-to-face, are now being done virtually using the power of technology. The first virtual mentoring session was led by the Bank’s Head of Wealth Management, Olusegun Omoniwa, who tipped the youth on how to manage their finances, including the basics of saving and investing. The Bank’s Head of Global Banking, Emmy Kumwenda, mentored the youths on how to be an effective leader. Christine Matambo, the Bank’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand & Marketing, held a session on how to achieve a positive personal brand. The Sun