Empowering communities through enterprise development

A Village Savings and Lending Association Group in Katete, Zambia -Photo: Mubanga Kasuta
A Village Savings and Lending Association Group in Katete, Zambia -Photo: Mubanga Kasuta

The 2024 drought in Zambia’s Petauke and Katete districts has devastated livelihoods, with over half of crop production lost, intensifying food insecurity (CIF). Women and girls are particularly vulnerable, facing increased gender-based violence and economic disparities due to structural inequalities (UNCCD). Community resilience has been severely tested, with negative coping mechanisms becoming prevalent (The United Nations in Zambia). In response, the World Bank has approved a $208 million grant to assist over 1.6 million households across 84 drought-affected districts, aiming to strengthen social protection and resilience (Reuters).

Bridging gaps in existing interventions, the Handlooms and Textile Technologies Association Zambia (HATTAZ), with support from the Swedish Embassy in Addis Ababa through We Effect, is implementing the Women Economic Empowerment in the Cotton Value Chain (WEECVC) project. This initiative focuses on empowering women and youth in Zambia’s cotton sub-sector. The project enhances access to productive resources, leadership training, and value addition opportunities, equipping participants with weaving and spinning skills to create new income streams and access broader markets.

Through targeted interventions like Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), skills training, and value addition, the WEECVC project has transformed the outlook for communities in these districts. Individuals are leveraging small opportunities to establish sustainable businesses, sparking a wave of change that is uplifting the region.

James Nkonjela, a carpenter-turned-weaver, exemplifies the impact of these efforts. “When I saw the handloom for the first time, I thought to myself, ‘I can make this,’” James shared. Initially joining the project as a cotton farmer, his perspective shifted after weaving training. Recognizing the need for affordable looms in his community, James took it upon himself to create one.

James Konjela watching over a happy weaver using his newly made handloom. Photo: Mubanga Kasuta

Using savings from his VSLA, James purchased materials to construct his first handloom. “The VSLA savings were a game-changer for me. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the money to buy the wood and tools for my first machine,” he explained. His creation exceeded expectations, quickly drawing orders from local weavers. “I sold my first machine to a youth group for 5,000 Zambian Kwachas. Their feedback—that my loom was strong and worked perfectly—motivated me to expand the business. I realized I could become the district’s sole supplier,” he said.

Through HATTAZ’s entrepreneurship and business development training, James gained the skills to grow his enterprise. “I plan to build more handlooms and sell them to weavers in nearby districts. My business reduces dependence on expensive looms from Lusaka, creating a local supply chain,” he added.

Handloom machine made by James Konjela- Photo: Mubanga Kasuta

Beyond his business, James’s innovation has had a broader impact. “This is just the beginning. I hope the project helps us organize training programs for youths, especially women, so they can learn handloom making and add value to our cotton,” he concluded.

Similarly, Mary Banda, another VSLA member, has turned her dreams into reality. With her savings and a micro-loan from the group, she built a traditional clay oven and started baking bread. What began as a modest effort to support her family has grown into a thriving business. Mary now supplies bread to her village and neighbouring areas, inspiring other women to pursue entrepreneurship.

“The VSLA gave me the confidence and resources to pursue my dream,” Mary said. “Now, I can provide for my family and even employ others in the community. It’s amazing to see how one small step can lead to such big changes.”

Scarfs made by Mary using the Handloom James made – Photo: Mubanga Kasuta

The successes of James, Mary, and others accentuates the power of combining village savings, skill-building, and enterprise development in the cotton value chain. VSLAs have become a critical foundation, enabling members to transform skills and aspirations into viable businesses. These enterprises not only uplift individual families but also contribute to vital local economies, stimulating growth and resilience.

“This project didn’t just teach me weaving—it taught me to think outside the box and believe in myself,” James reflected, capturing the essence of the project’s transformative impact.

HATTAZ is a member-based organization committed to gender equity, democratic values, and best business practices. HATTAZ works to address the issues of women’s income generation, value addition, and job creation in the Zambian cotton sector. The Association seeks to promote the local production and use of locally woven fabric in Zambia and beyond thereby creating employment, reducing poverty and improving the living standards of the under privileged- https://hattaz.org/