ABOUT US

 

The Zambia Credit Guarantee Scheme (ZCGS) is a limited company incorporated in 2017 and wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning pursuant to the Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act Cap 349 of the Laws of Zambia. It was established following a pronouncement by the Minister of Finance in the 2016 National Budget address to create a credit guarantee scheme that would enhance access to finance Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Zambia. 

MANDATE

 

The mandate of ZCGS is provision of partial credit guarantees to enable viable and eligible Zambian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with inadequate collateral, have increased access to affordable financing from lending financial institutions thereby promoting their growth and development.

PHILOSOPHY

 

Vision: A credible and dynamic credit guarantee institution that promotes the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Zambia.

Mission: To facilitate increased access to financing for MSMEs in Zambia in order to promote their growth.

Core Values:  Integrity, Respect, Transparency, Innovation, Collaboration and Accountability.

BACKGROUND

 

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of most developing countries’ economies and capital is fundamental for MSMEs to grow and become competitive. However, they are typically limited in their capacity to access credit due to lack of collateral, limited credit history, capacity to do business and, often, lack of expertise needed to produce reliable financial records. As a result of the information asymmetry that exists between the MSME and the potential lender, the lender attributes a high risk of default to the borrower. Many viable projects do not, therefore, get funded on account of either lack of or inadequate collateral.

There is however an opportunity to tap in this market given the political will and policy direction on MSME support. Guarantee funds come in as a risk mitigation solution that can motivate lending financial institutions to explore new market segments. The difficulties faced by small enterprises in obtaining access to credit justify the Government of the Republic of Zambia’s intervention through this scheme. ZCGS is here to help MSMEs access finance for working capital, fixed assets and investments at reasonable conditions negotiated for with Partner Financial Institutions (PFIs) by sharing credit default risk with the financial institutions.

ZCGS has a deliberate affirmative policy of providing guarantees to underserved groups such as the women, youths and those in rural areas which is in line with Government agenda thereby embracing inclusivity, diversity and promoting non-discrimination in service delivery. The scheme’s aim is to increase MSME’s participation in the socio-economic development of the country. Through strategic partnerships, ZCGS aims to contribute positively to financial inclusion, employment creation, poverty reduction and economic development.