The Zambian Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) represents over 350 member firms across various sectors, including fabrication, food & beverage, textiles, and rubber products. Many are also members of the Proudly Zambia Campaign (PZC) which promotes the production and consumption of high-quality Zambian-manufactured products to spur local job creation and foster domestic economic development. The purpose of this technical assistance project was to increase awareness and understanding of current ESG and sustainable business practices among ZAM/PZC members and other public and private sector stakeholders and strengthen their capacity to incorporate sustainability into their products and business operations.

Delivered through its role as a technical partner of the Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund, Imani Development was contracted to support increased awareness and understanding among PZC/ZAM members and key stakeholders of the current ESG and sustainable business practices, and opportunities and constraints faced. 

Key Activities conducted by Imani Development:

1. Preliminary interviews:

  • Conducted in-person interviews with ZAM, PZC and Zambian businesses to inform the key issues for the study.

2. Survey: 

  • Survey design: Developed a questionnaire for a survey to assess Zambian businesses’ current understanding of ESG, perception of ESG, basic sustainability practices and reporting, and training interests.  
  • Survey roll-out: Conducted a survey of 36 Zambian businesses (largely ZAM and/or PZC members) using an online platform. 

3. Case studies:  

  • Selection: Based on preliminary interviews and survey results, selected 4 key issues and 10 appropriate institutions to develop case studies around. 
  • Interview guides: Developed key discussion topics for each targeted organisation across case study themes.  
  • Case Studies: Developed 4 case studies based on literature reviews and in-depth interviews. The case studies covered integrating sustainability into competitive strategies, accessing sustainable finance, inclusion of MSMEs in value chains, and sustainability reporting requirements. 

4. Awareness raising:  

  • Initial workshop: delivered an initial awareness-raising workshop based on findings from similar continental study.  
  • Material: Based on survey results and case studies developed a set of awareness-raising and sensitisation material for ZAM/PZC to share with their members