ZANACO STAKES K1M TO BOOST 50 VENTURES

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU A television show which will provide funding of up to K1 million to businesses, particularly those whose operations have been negatively impacted by Covid-19 has been launched by Zanaco Bank plc. Kweza, a show to be aired on ZNBC and Diamond TV stations, will involve  50 businesses that have operated for two years or more while giving them an opportunity to pitch different ideas to start or grow their businesses. Zanaco Chief Executive Officer, Mukwandi Chibesakunda, said the show would not only seek to fund businesses but turn them around through mentorship in various  areas such as sales and marketing. Other areas of mentorship include debt management, business planning, business financials, corporate governance, business continuity planning and digital innovation. “Zanaco recognise that access to finance remains one of the greatest challenges for our Small and Medium Enterprises Enterprises (SMEs), particularly when they are just starting up. “We further understand that it is not just access to finance that is a challenge but having the right partner to coach, guide and set their businesses on the right footing to flourish,” she said yesterday in Lusaka during the launch of the show. She invited businesses particularly those whose operations have been negatively impacted by the pandemic to sign up for Kweza before May 31, 2021. Ms Chibesakunda stressed that Zanaco recognised that rebuilding of the economy after being hit by Covid-19 was a joint responsibility. She said it was for this reason that Zanaco in 2018 introduced a campaign called Kula, which in many languages meant growth.