The Digital Economy Starts With SMEs: Why Zambia’s Future Depends On Small Business Success
By Leah Kooma, Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia
Walk through any market in Lusaka, any trading centre in the Copperbelt or any small workshop in Livingstone, and you’re looking at the true engine of Zambia’s economy. Long before national growth targets are set in boardrooms, they’re being shaped by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) whose growth, resilience and innovation underpin Zambia’s economic future.
Yet many of these businesses continue to face barriers such as limited access to finance, uneven digital infrastructure, cyber security risks and uncertainty about where to begin their digital transformation journey. Given that Zambia’s digital future will be shaped by whether these businesses can grow, compete, and scale, addressing these challenges is critical.
At Liquid Intelligent Technologies Zambia, we see first-hand that many SMEs don’t need more technology. They need a trusted technology partner to help them identify the right digital solutions for their stage of growth. This thinking underpins initiatives such as Liquid’s SME Portal, which simplifies access to connectivity, cloud services and business tools, making digital adoption more practical and accessible for growing businesses.
Understanding the journey, not just the technology
Every SME is at a different stage of growth. A Zambian start-up has very different priorities to an established business looking to expand. A new business may simply need reliable connectivity, a professional email address and secure cloud storage rather than rushing into a full suite of solutions. As it grows, integrated accounting, customer relationship management and collaboration tools are valuable add-ons.
Digital transformation isn’t a single large project but a series of practical steps that support long-term growth. The key is choosing the right solutions at the right time.
Digital adoption is becoming a business necessity
Another important consideration is that digital transformation is now becoming a requirement for participation in the formal economy, a shift that’s being accelerated by government policy in Zambia.
For instance, Statutory Instrument 68, which requires mining companies to engage a defined number of Zambian-owned contractors, has begun to change the playing field for SMEs in that sector, and similar requirements are likely to filter into other industries in the years ahead. Also, the Zambia Revenue Authority’s smart invoicing requirement means any qualifying SME hoping to supply a large retailer needs, at a minimum, a device capable of running that platform. Compliance, in other words, is becoming a strong driver of digital adoption in the country.
Digital progress doesn’t always need significant investment. Sometimes it starts with solving simple business challenges. A missed call can be a missed opportunity. A professional email address builds credibility. Digital payment platforms make it easier for customers to transact, while cloud services, cyber security and AI-powered tools help businesses work more efficiently and confidently. Digital marketplaces then open the door to customers well beyond a business’s immediate community.
Partnerships that enable growth
None of this happens through any single organisation acting alone. It takes government departments willing to open genuine dialogue with SMEs, financial institutions prepared to rethink how they assess risk for small businesses, and technology partners committed to simplifying access rather than complicating it.
Many entrepreneurs know they need to modernise but aren’t sure where to start or which investments will deliver the greatest value. Practical guidance is therefore just as important as digital tools, creating an environment where SMEs can grow, innovate and compete. This is where technology partners like Liquid have an important role to play, not only by providing digital solutions, but by helping SMEs understand which investments will deliver the greatest value at each stage of their growth.
Zambia’s SMEs aren’t asking for shortcuts to success. They’re asking for practical pathways into the digital economy, supported by partners who understand that every business is different. Helping entrepreneurs take the right digital steps at the right time does more than strengthen individual businesses. It creates jobs, improves competitiveness and helps shape Zambia’s next chapter of economic growth.