How a small youth enterprise in Lusaka, Zambia uses ICT to succeed in its business
May 01 2010, Zambia [ZM], Livelihood opportunities
Kachabe Enterprises is a small manufacturing enterprise based and located in one of the busiest markets in Lusaka, Zambia. Lusaka City Market is one roof market place, housing over 4000 market stalls selling and producing various kinds of products and services.
In 2004 the company was invited by the government through the Ministry of youth, sport and child development to a Lusaka exhibition show. During the exhibition, it was identified by some show goers including IICD for exhibiting quality products. After a successful application process the company secured a grant of US$6,000 from IICD through TEL consultant, a local business consultant company for a purpose of increasing its marketing outreach, recording and capacity building purposes.
The company staff was trained by a local computer company, Coldreed training in computer skills, recordings and other IT skills. Kachabe used these IT skills to effectively advance its business in production and market out reach to its clients through market information. The company grew from 2 in 1997 to 12 employees by the end of 2006 with average sales turnover of $2,000 per month.
The company has standing supply contracts with three government ministries and 5 private companies and sells some of its products to individuals. Kachabe is now using ICT skills in its business mainly in printing and production of marketing fliers, use computers in record keeping and calculation of revenues and expenditures, graphic designing, printing of artworks on the computers for its products and market their products on the internet.
The company also educates other youths in the Lusaka City Market area on the importance of using information and communication technology in small business development. The company director, Mr. Cosmas Mpiluka says “before we started we had very low capacity, fewer clients, ignorant about computers, internet and software and less skill. Our future plans are to expand the business to acquire more equipment, space, suitable communication facilities and software. We also want to procure 3 industrial sewing machines and materials to increase our production capacity”
Cosmas sends his appreciation to IICD for economically empowering them with resources, employment opportunities and skills, gaining mileage in marketing, increased outreach to other small entrepreneurs. “They have set a roadmap for success of our business and it is our responsibility to demonstrate to ourselves and our partners to ensure that this becomes a reality”, he says.