Small Business
Sponsoring rewarding and worthwhile initiatives.

• Micro Development
• Corporate Sponsorship
• Institutional Sponsorship
• Private Donations

Sponsorship differs from investment in that a sponsor makes no financial gain. This is basically a good will donation made to a specific project that has already been researched and documented and appeals to the philanthropy of individuals willing to donate to the cause - the cause in all cases being aligned to the overall objectives of SHAREAfrica, which is about promoting a better future for people living in impoverished conditions.

All of these opportunities revolve around the creation of work that will result in a fair financial return for those involved. In Zambia many have both the aptitude and ability to perform reasonably complex tasks. In the main these skills are self taught and are being used to earn a living by whatever means possible. Many so called entrepreneurs have excellent ideas and competencies but they do not have the money to buy the tools or facilities that would make them successful.

The education system in Zambia, which is based predominantly on British standards, also produces high calibre graduates in a number of disciplines. However, the increase in new investment in the country is insufficient to absorb the new talent; therefore many well educated people end up doing tasks well beneath their capability. Inevitably this forces the talent to move abroad leaving the country bereft of the knowledge most needed to grow the economy. It is also ironic that the investment that the country is making in education is being lost through the lack of opportunity. Therefore it is essential that the investment in education be matched by the investment in trade and industry so that the new talent can be employed for the benefit of the country.

One of the objectives of SHAREAfrica- Zambia is to identify the commercial potential in people’s ideas and to encapsulate them within a business framework to see what would justify financial support. This involves helping people to prepare and validate their business case and then to translate it into a proposal aimed at attracting suitable sponsors.

It is the intent that SHAREAfrica-Zambia will keep a controlling share in any sponsored business until it becomes profitable enough to be handed over to the other ‘shareholders’. This allows SHAREAfrica-Zambia to guide the new development through the start-up period and also to recover a small share of the profits to fund more R&D as well as other humanitarian projects undertaken by SHAREAfrica.

Education sponsorships, where foreign grants are given to high end achievers with the intent of ultimately employing them abroad, can only be justified if there are no equivalent opportunities within the country. Our aim therefore is to sponsor selected candidates through trade schools or universities so they can gain the qualifications needed for local employment. These may well become the people we sponsor in a small business.

Both the moral and ethical justification for supporting development in Zambia is also overwhelming. Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world with two thirds of the population living below the poverty line. The people caught in the poverty trap have relied on donor support which for the most part has come in the shape of humanitarian aid, particularly through programmes related to health and education. While these programs are most welcome they do not in themselves create wealth, and without investment coupled with employment, the products and services needed to kick start the economy will not materialise.

If you are interested in sponsoring a small project, typically ranging from a few hundred to fifty thousand pounds, then please do get in touch. Your contribution will be a great help.

Contact Details:

Email: info@shareafrica.com

or contact us at either of the following addresses:

SHAREAfrica Zambia,
P.O. Box 33234,
Plot 5047,
Kabundi Road,
Chinika, Lusaka,
ZAMBIA

Tel: 00260 1 286598 /4

Or

SHAREAfrica,
 PO Box 401,
Harrogate,
UK,
HG2 9LP

Tel: 01423873589 or 0044 (0)7889433979