Building Resilient Smes: Ndola & District Chamber Of Commerce And Industry’s Conference Equips Businesses For Sustainable Growth

The Ndola & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NDCCI) hosted its fourth SME Capacity Building Conference on 29th May 2026 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola under the theme “Building Resilient SMEs: Innovation, Growth & Sustainability.” The conference brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and industry experts to explore practical solutions for building stronger and more sustainable businesses.

Key discussions focused on access to finance, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, innovation, financial management, and strategic growth, while specialised sessions provided tailored guidance for start-ups, growing businesses, and enterprises ready to scale. A key highlight was the NDCCI SME Incubator Programme Showcase and Certificate Presentation, celebrating the Chamber’s continued support for emerging entrepreneurs.

The conference also showcased Sabango’s Cakes N’All, whose journey from a home-based baking venture to a growing brand reflected the resilience, adaptability, and commitment required to build a successful SME.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) continue to play a vital role in Zambia’s economic development, contributing significantly to employment creation, innovation, and private sector growth. Yet in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven, and rapidly changing business environment, resilience has become one of the defining characteristics of successful enterprises.

Recognising this need, the Ndola & District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NDCCI) hosted its fourth SME Capacity Building Conference on Friday, 29th May 2026, at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, under the theme “Building Resilient SMEs: Innovation, Growth & Sustainability.” The conference brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, development partners, and industry experts to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and equip SMEs with the practical knowledge needed to thrive in an evolving business landscape.

More than a one-day gathering, the conference served as a catalyst for enterprise development, offering participants valuable insight into business resilience, regulatory compliance, access to finance, digital transformation, and strategic growth. Through keynote presentations, technical workshops, and networking opportunities, delegates were equipped with practical solutions to strengthen their businesses at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Through the SME Incubator

One of the defining highlights of the day was the NDCCI SME Incubator Programme Showcase and Certificate Presentation, reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs beyond the conference itself.

The Incubator Programme is NDCCI’s flagship business development initiative, established to nurture early stage entrepreneurs and accelerate the growth of promising SMEs. Through mentorship, business advisory services, practical training, strategic partnerships, and market linkages, the programme equips entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to build resilient, sustainable businesses transforming innovative ideas into viable enterprises while strengthening Zambia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering job creation, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.

Distinguished Speakers, Practical Solutions

The conference featured an impressive line-up of speakers from government ministries, regulatory agencies, financial institutions, development organisation’s, and the private sector, each offering practical insight into building resilient and sustainable businesses.

Drawing on more than sixteen years of entrepreneurial experience, NDCCI President Mrs. Diana S. Kabaila encouraged business owners to build enterprises founded on strong systems, continuous learning, sound leadership, and strategic partnerships, rather than relying solely on individuals, a message that set the tone for a day centered on resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Throughout the day, delegates explored the key pillars of business success. The Kaizen Institute of Zambia Limited introduced internationally recognised continuous improvement principles aimed at increasing productivity, operational efficiency, reducing waste, and improving sessions, interactive strategic partnerships.

Business Development Specialist Cynthia Mulenshi Masako highlighted the importance of environmental scanning and feasibility studies in helping entrepreneurs make informed investment decisions, while Aldrin Sinkala of the ODRIN Consulting Group challenged business owners to adopt strategic thinking, market research, and risk analysis as essential tools for long-term success.

Compliance emerged as another major theme. Representatives from NAPSA and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board reinforced that compliance extends beyond meeting legal requirements, it is a critical foundation for sustainable business growth, covering employer responsibilities, workplace safety, and employee protection.

The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) addressed one of the greatest challenges facing SMEs by outlining the financing opportunities available to entrepreneurs, encouraging delegates to strengthen financial management, prepare investment-ready business proposals, and establish sound governance structures capable of attracting funding and supporting long-term growth.

The conference also underscored the growing importance of digital transformation, with Sheppa Kalunga of Negocio Konnect demonstrating how artificial intelligence, automation, digital marketing, customer relationship management systems, and data-driven decision-making can help SMEs improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, strengthen customer engagement, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy.

Learning Tailored for Every Stage of Business

Recognising that businesses face different opportunities and challenges depending on their stage of development, the afternoon programme featured specialised breakout sessions designed to provide targeted support:

• Start-Up Track: business registration through PACRA, tax compliance presented by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), and practical entrepreneurial lessons from Steven Sikobela of Late Harvest Agro Suppliers Limited.

• Growth Track: investment opportunities presented by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), alongside sessions on VAT compliance, Smart Invoice implementation, financial management, and record keeping.

• Scaling Track: corporate governance, tax planning, audit readiness, and market expansion, led by Dr. Rozious Siatwambo and Chris Chipimo of C. Steinweg Bridge Zambia.

Interactive workshop activities across all three tracks ensured every participant left with practical knowledge suited to their stage of business development.

Key Takeaways

Throughout the conference, one message remained clear: resilient businesses are built through continuous learning, innovation, sound governance, financial discipline, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. Delegates were encouraged to strengthen compliance, improve financial management, embrace technology, invest in their people, and build systems capable of sustaining long-term growth.

Beyond the presentations, the conference created valuable networking opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with policymakers, regulators, financiers, and development partners. Laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

As Zambia continues pursuing private sector-led economic growth, initiatives such as the NDCCI SME Capacity Building Conference remain instrumental in giving entrepreneurs the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to build competitive, sustainable enterprises. And nowhere is that impact more visible than in the businesses the conference has helped shape.

Resilience in Action: Sabango’s Cakes N’All

Among the businesses showcased at the conference was Sabango’s Cakes N’All, an enterprise whose journey embodies everything the day’s sessions set out to teach, that resilient SMEs are not built overnight, but through dedication, learning, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to delivering value to customers.

Founded by entrepreneur Sabango Ellevina Mtonga, the business began as a modest home-based baking venture, driven by a passion for creating beautifully crafted cakes and baked treats for family, friends, and the local community. Over time, that passion evolved into a growing enterprise recognised for its creativity, consistency, and commitment to quality, the very qualities NDCCI President Mrs. Kabaila pointed to as the foundation of a business built to last.

Today, Sabango’s Cakes N’All is a trusted brand serving individuals, families, organisations, and corporate clients with an extensive range of baked products, including custom celebration cakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, cupcakes, pastries, dessert boxes, and other speciality creations.

Every product is prepared with quality ingredients and tailored to each customer’s preferences, earning the business a loyal and expanding customer base. Its growth reflects the same principles championed throughout the conference: strengthening customer relationships, embracing innovation, and building the operational discipline needed to scale, from the Start-Up Track fundamentals of registration and compliance to the Growth Track’s emphasis on sound financial management.

As Zambia’s SME sector continues to expand, Sabango’s Cakes N’All stands as a working example of what the NDCCI SME Capacity Building Conference set out to achieve: proof that with the right mentorship, financial discipline, and support, small businesses can grow into respected brands that create employment, strengthen local economies, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

BY EPHRAIM MUFAYA