Tokyo, 13th May 2025 – Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Permanent Secretary Mrs. Subeta Mutelo is leading a delegation to Japan from 9th to 17th May 2025, as part of the Joint Empowerment Programme (JEP), a flagship initiative between the Zambian Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed at strengthening SME growth through value addition and global partnerships.
The delegation includes five outstanding Zambian enterprises—two from Lusaka, two from the Copperbelt, and one from Eastern Province—selected from a pool of 512 applicants under the JEP initiative.
Each of the five enterprises has been awarded USD 20,000 in equipment support and a business trip to Japan following their exceptional performance in a national pitch contest held on 25th February 2025.
During a courtesy call on Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Tobias Mulimbika, Mrs. Mutelo commended the Zambian Mission in Tokyo for its support in advancing the country’s economic diplomacy agenda.
She emphasized that the Joint Empowerment Programme (JEP) will forge twinning partnerships between Zambian and Japanese SMEs and Facilitate technology transfer and product innovation.
Mrs. Mutelo added that JEP will also enhance value addition across key manufacturing sub-sectors, and deepen SME capacity building in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision to grow a value-driven and export-oriented economy.
“In 2024, we partnered with 30 SMEs across Zambia through JEP to strengthen their operational capacity using Kaizen methodology. The five businesses here in Japan are part of that cohort and are now poised to expand through international collaboration,” Mrs. Mutelo said.
The JEP programme targets SMEs in food processing, circular economy, wood and wood products, metal fabrication and light engineering, textiles, and leather goods.
It has an estimated budget of ZMW 7.5 million, with JICA contributing ZMW 7 million and the MSMED contributing ZMW 500,000.
Ambassador Mulimbika hailed the initiative as a “proof of Government’s commitment to SME development,” and praised JICA and the Ministry for implementing one of the most impactful capacity-building programmes to date.
“These SMEs are not only employers back home, but also potential drivers of innovation and forex inflow. Their exposure to Japan’s advanced manufacturing practices and entrepreneurial culture will enhance their competitiveness and open up new markets,” he said.
He further noted Japan’s growing interest in partnerships with Zambian SMEs, stating, “There’s tangible momentum. Kaizen has shown to be effective in improving efficiency and profitability. We will continue linking Zambian SMEs to bigger platforms and ensure their integration into trade promotion activities coordinated by the Embassy.”
The JEP program in Japan includes high-level meetings with Japanese SMEs, government agencies, and private sector actors, and is part of the Ministry’s broader effort to support and sustain MSME growth beyond the initial one-year lifespan of JEP.
Issued by
Faith Nabeene Chilube
First Secretary, Press and Public Relations
Embassy of the Republic of Zambia, Tokyo, Japan
