The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has welcomed a new cohort of consultants into the Supplier Development Training and Accreditation Programme, reaffirming its commitment to building competitive local suppliers and advancing inclusive economic transformation in Zambia.

The training and induction of the second cohort of the Supplier Development Training and Accreditation Programme was held in Kitwe, Zambia, bringing together consultants, government representatives, private sector leaders, academics and development partners united by a shared vision of strengthening local supplier competitiveness and advancing inclusive economic transformation. The new group of consultants will embark on four months of intensive training.  

But beyond the training itself, the programme reflects something much larger: a growing national effort to ensure that local businesses are not left at the margins of economic growth but are fully integrated into the industries shaping Zambia’s future. 

Opening the programme, Ms. Muma Munansangu, UNDP Programme Analyst for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, described the initiative as part of a broader transformation taking place within Zambia’s private sector landscape. “Today marks not just the launch of a four-month journey of learning, growth and certification but the continued building of a transformative ecosystem for supplier competitiveness in Zambia,” she said. 

Her remarks underscored the evolving role of supplier development in Zambia’s economic agenda. As industries expand and value chains become more sophisticated, local suppliers are increasingly expected to meet higher standards in quality, efficiency, compliance, and reliability. Yet many small and medium enterprises continue to face barriers in accessing larger markets and formal supply chains. 

The Supplier Development Programme (SDP) seeks to bridge that gap. Through a globally tested methodology that has already been implemented across Africa, Asia and Latin America, consultants participating in the programme are equipped with practical tools to help businesses strengthen operations, improve competitiveness and build sustainable linkages with anchor companies. 

For UNDP, the consultants being trained are not simply programme participants. They are viewed as long-term enablers of inclusive economic growth. “As consultants you are not just participants in this program, you are catalysts of change,” Ms. Munansangu said. “You are the bridge between local suppliers and market opportunities. You are the enablers who will help small businesses meet standards, improve efficiency and ultimately become competitive players within complex value chains.” 

The programme builds on momentum already created through the first cohort of accredited consultants. Since the initiative’s pilot phase in 2025, supplier development interventions have been rolled out across strategic sectors including mining and agribusiness, generating early but promising results. 

In Zambia’s mining sector, the programme has supported artisanal and small-scale miners in transitioning from informal operations into formal suppliers. Some enterprises have successfully acquired mining licenses, strengthened compliance systems and increased order volumes through stronger engagement with large mining companies. 

Meanwhile, in the agribusiness sector, participating suppliers have expanded their market access significantly, growing from supplying only a handful of retail outlets to reaching wider distribution networks. Improvements in packaging, product quality and operational standards have also contributed to lower product returns and stronger supplier credibility. 

These outcomes are being driven through partnerships that connect suppliers with industry leaders and institutions capable of supporting growth. Anchor companies such as Mopani Copper Mines and Shoprite have already been onboarded into the programme, while financial institutions including Stanbic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank are helping improve access to finance for local enterprises. 

Academic institutions are also playing a critical role. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Professor Hangombe, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of Research and Innovation at the Copperbelt University, welcomed the collaboration between UNDP, academia and the private sector. “As Copperbelt University, we are very happy that UNDP has not left us behind,” he said. “You have tagged us together with the private players that are actually working in the industry and as academia, we will support all the programs in order to achieve the desired outcome.” 

The involvement of universities and innovation institutions reflects a growing recognition that supplier competitiveness today requires more than technical skills alone. Digital innovation, research, entrepreneurship support and access to knowledge systems are becoming increasingly important in helping local businesses remain competitive in evolving markets. 

Government representatives at the event also emphasized the programme’s alignment with Zambia’s broader development priorities. Representing the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Mr. Chikula Chinyanta, Assistant Director for Business Development and Grants, described the programme as an important contribution to Zambia’s economic transformation agenda under the Eighth National Development Plan. 

“This program is aligned with Zambia's developmental targets under the eighth national development plan for the economic transformation of our nation,” he said. He encouraged participants to fully engage with the programme and remain focused on the long-term impact of their work. 

“As you embark on this four-month journey, I encourage you to immerse yourselves into the programme, engage actively, challenge yourselves, learn from each other and remain focused on the bigger picture; building a more inclusive, competitive and resilient private sector in Zambia.” 

The significance of the programme was further highlighted by Mr. Anthony Kabaghe, President of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who noted the competitive selection process that brought the consultants into the programme.  “Out of 159 applicants, you have emerged among the top 35. Your presence here is a clear testament to your expertise, professionalism and commitment to excellence,” he said. 

Mr. Kabaghe described supplier development as a practical and necessary approach to strengthening Zambia’s domestic economy and ensuring local enterprises can compete within increasingly complex supply chains.  “The supply development model represents a powerful and practical framework for building resilient, inclusive and competitive local supply chains.” 

At the heart of the programme is a wider ambition to ensure that local businesses benefit more meaningfully from Zambia’s key economic sectors. Rather than remaining peripheral players, supplier development aims to position Zambian enterprises as capable contributors and competitive participants in regional and global markets. 

This vision is particularly important as Zambia continues to prioritize local content development and economic diversification. By strengthening supplier capabilities, the programme contributes not only to enterprise growth but also to job creation, resilience, innovation and broader economic inclusion.  As the consultants begin their four-month journey, expectations remain high. The programme’s success will ultimately depend on how effectively knowledge is translated into measurable improvements for local businesses and communities. 

For UNDP and its partners, however, the direction is clear. Supplier development is no longer viewed as a peripheral intervention. It is increasingly becoming a strategic pathway toward building stronger local industries, deeper market linkages and a more inclusive economy for Zambia.