THE scope of entrepreneurism in this country has enlarged since the country’s economy was liberalised in the early 1990s.
Many thanks should go to the Government which was responsible for opening up the economy to entrepreneurial ideas by individuals who seized the opportunity to do so.
Although the same period saw the employment levels in the Government’s operated parastatal companies dwindle due to the fact that most of these industries were closed to pave way for the privatisation programme, the entrepreneurship skills among the individuals who lost their jobs swung into place to create small businesses and fill the void instead.
During this time, the transfer of skills among the laid-off workers and others who resigned on their own, was seen through the establishment of small businesses.
Several prominent business persons who have established businesses today emanated from this platform of entrepreneurism.
Established businesses such as Bookworld, Auto world, Zambeef and others can trace their origins from this period.
However, looking at the landscape of entrepreneurship in the country today it is seen that it has swallowed the large part of unemployment that was brought about because of privatisation programme that saw experienced and professional workers spilled into the streets.
The skills that these workers carried on their shoulders and the enabling environment brought about by liberalising the economy, enabled them to immediately establish themselves by creating small businesses for economic survival.
One garage owner whom I cannot mention for some reasons, established his business during this period after tendering his resignation to his employers.
He took with him a number of workers who helped him establish his business which in turn became a stiff competitor to his former employer.
The wind of entrepreneurship has not only blown in Zambia, but also in several countries in Africa and beyond African borders.
One country beyond Africa’s borders that has recorded major success in the field of entrepreneurship is China.
Having moved away from the closed economy to the open economy in recent times, China has since ranked itself among the highest producers of domestic products recording the highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world.
It has further recorded major success in the exporting of the same local products abroad including Zambia.
Several government officials who have travelled to far-fetched counties like Malaysia have borne witness to the massive entrepreneurial skills that have transformed some of these countries from being third world countries into middle class status.
The economists have since identified entrepreneurship as the engine of economic growth in most third world countries like Zambia.
Driving along Katimamulilo Road which joins Great North Road at a junction where former Masiye Motel was and joining at the far end into the Great East Road roundabout near Arcades Shopping Mall on the other side, one is compelled to realise that the mushrooming of self-driven businesses is clear testimony of the scope of entrepreneurism enlarging.
Just 10 years ago the road, although famous by then for linking Great East Road to Great North Road, was just sandwich by houses and the bush but today it has become a prime area for small businesses.
Roadside businesses such as hardware shops stocking building materials, welders producing window and door frames, garages and auto shops are some of the businesses that have mushroomed powered by individual entrepreneurs.
The bulging construction industries have also in one-way or another given a boost to the emerging small businesses along this road.
This is so because the building materials that are sought after for erecting a building are found along this road.
For any information please contact 0950458228 or email wklpublications699@gmail.com