Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank (ZICB) has partnered with Zed-Kidpreneur for the sponsorship of the Zed-Kidpreneur programme for 2022.
ZICB CEO Ignatius Mwanza said the bank has purchased two laptops, two routers and has provided funding for the implementation of the programme a total sponsorship value of K130. 000.
Speaking during the launch of the programme at Taj Pamodzi Hotel, attended by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mwanza said the partnership will offer mentorship and financial literacy training to children aged 18 years and below from all works of life.
He explained that the programme would focus on developing positive entrepreneurial mindsets that are innovative and progressive by using enjoyable child-friendly programmes filled with games, projects, boot camps, quizzes and competitions.
The CEO noted that society has focused on teaching and preparing children for a life of being employees with little investment in preparing them for starting and managing their own businesses and finances.
Mwanza said the partnership with Zed-Kidpreneur programme would endeavor to prepare young participants for the future by introducing them to the basics of finance as well as teaching them about personal financial management.
He added that educating children in financial management would give Zambia a good chance at having a financially literate adult population in future.
“This event is special for Zambia Industrial Commercial Bank Limited because it is in line with our brand promise-Making Tomorrow Possible. The programme that we are launching this morning is focusing on children up to the age of 18 years. We always say and hear that young people are the future leaders”, he said.
Mwanza mentioned that the bank will launch a specific account for children that will introduce them to banking products and services while being interest bearing, easy to operate and maintain and the account will have no charges.
He added that the bank has been providing financial literacy to its SME customers, which it sees as a need across the country and plans to set up a team dedicated to financial literacy in future.
Speaking at the same event, Founder and CEO of Zed-Kidpreneur Chimfwembe Mulenga said Zed-Kidpreneur is an award-winning academy that teaches and mentors children between the ages of 4 to 18 on personal growth topics such as financial literacy, public speaking, entrepreneurship and skills development.
Mulenga noted that the partnership would allow children to participate in financial talks and gain knowledge on topics such as savings, budgeting and investing.
She said Zed-Kidpreneur is looking forward to having financial literacy as a mandatory taught subject in all grades at primary and secondary school level in both government and private schools adding that the vision is to see a Zambia that has young innovators, entrepreneurs and financial experts who contribute greatly to the development of the country.
“Children should be prepared not just for academic exams but for life as well, we need to mould and cultivate a generation of better decision makers and future leaders”, she said.
