Kayumba Tells Firm’s To Get Investment Ready

Presidential Advisor for Finance and Investment Jito Kayumba has urged Zambian businesses to strengthen financial records and corporate governance to attract foreign investment under the Grow Zambia Agenda.

Mr Kayumba said local firms risk being left behind by international investors due to limited capital, technological constraints and weak business structures.

He urged entrepreneurs to prepare their businesses for investment and use joint ventures (JVs) to access financing, advanced technology and wider markets.

“To be bankable, your business must operate with transparent financial records, be tax-compliant, and have clear ownership structures,” Mr Kayumba said in a post on his Facebook page.

He said businesses should approach potential partners with tangible assets, secured land, licences, established distribution networks and reliable supply chains.

Mr Kayumba urged entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, logistics and tourism.“If the goal is 10 million tonnes of maize and three million tonnes of soya beans, look at agro-processing, cold-chain logistics and fertiliser distribution,” he said.

He said tourism also offered investment opportunities in hospitality infrastructure and technology-enabled booking services as Zambia pursues a target of five million tourist arrivals.

Mr Kayumba cautioned businesses against focusing solely on securing financing, urging them to negotiate joint-venture agreements that protect local interests and provide for technology transfer.He said such agreements should clearly define equity ownership and dispute resolution mechanisms while ensuring local teams acquire technical expertise.

“The goal is not just to secure funding, but to ensure that operational knowledge and technological capability are permanently transferred to your local team,” he said.

Mr Kayumba said combining sound corporate governance and local market knowledge with international capital and technology would help Zambian businesses participate more effectively in the country’s economic expansion.