Access to Finance

Our 9 Pillars
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Pillars of Empowerment
Access to Finance
To provide affordable financing to targeted citizens, companies and cooperatives. This pillar establishes the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund; a special purpose vehicle to equitably & inclusively finance business & entrepreneurship innovations owned by targeted citizens
Overview
Access to Finance is a foundational pillar designed to bridge the gap between great ideas and the capital needed to bring them to life. Many aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses face challenges in accessing traditional financing due to limited collateral, high interest rates, or lack of financial history.

To address these barriers, this pillar introduces the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF)—a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created to provide inclusive and equitable financial support to businesses owned by targeted citizens.
The Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF)
The CEEF is specifically designed to:

Finance entrepreneurship and innovation among targeted groups, including youth, women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities

Support cooperatives and citizen-owned enterprises in strategic sectors of the economy

Offer affordable and flexible financing options tailored to the needs of emerging businesses

Foster financial inclusion by reaching underserved and unbanked populations
Types of Support Offered
Low-interest loans for startups and SMEs

Capacity-building and mentorship to enhance business sustainability

Grant schemes for high-impact and innovative initiatives

Sector-specific financing windows for agriculture, manufacturing, services, and more
Why It Matters
Empowers Zambian citizens to become active participants in the economy

Catalyzes grassroots innovation and enterprise growth

Reduces inequality by prioritizing marginalized and underrepresented groups

Strengthens local value chains and job creation
How to Access the Fund
Targeted citizens, cooperatives, and companies can apply through the official CEEF platform, where detailed eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and support resources are available.

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