Mercy Chikungu

My name is Mercy Chikungu, the first born child in the family of seven. I come from a small village called Mbala in Northern Province, a province located in the Northern part of Zambia. Coming from a poor family and being the eldest child has shaped my perspective and responsibility to take on leadership role to my siblings. Poverty has been my driving force to work hard not only in academics but also in entrepreneurship. Growing up I saw my Mother struggle to find money not only to pay for my school fees but also to take care of the family at large through small businesses she owned, this really inspired me at that tender age. 

Through all financial constraints, I managed to complete my Bachelor degree in Environmental Health at Rusangu University. I struggled securing a job to appoint of thinking that entrepreneurship is the way to go, having stayed two years without securing a job, I decided to venture into business but I didn’t have capital to set up something tangible although I was helping mum with her businesses which indeed kept me moving. Two years down the line I managed to secure a job in line with my profession which motivated me to save up for business ideas I had in mind. 

I started with an idea of giving out soft loans because initially, my colleagues and few friends would approach me for financial assistance and I would lend them and they would pay back without any interest on it so I thought to myself that this could be a business venture that won’t require a lot capital and that’s how MERCLUSE SOLUTIONS was born. Putting it to test for some months my friends, workmates and my family were really supportive and it was yielding something. 

Seeing the progress, I decided to register MERCLUSE SOLUTIONS in 2022 as sole proprietor but later on I brought my partner on board. As time went by and the business was growing and being an environmental Health practitioner, we decided to incorporate other services such as pest control, waste management and supply of PPE to mention but a few. Being the founder and Director of MERCLUSE SOLLUTION my biggest dream is to see my company grow to a point of providing employment not only here in Zambia but also known internationally. As an entrepreneur driven by the desire to create meaningful impact, I am eager to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit to connect with visionary leaders and innovators from around the world. 

My journey began with a simple idea and has evolved into a relentless pursuit of solutions that address real-world challenges. Through hands-on experience, I have learned that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business, but about fostering collaboration, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and building bridges across cultures and industries. I believe that entrepreneurship thrives on action and shared experience, not just academic wise. My ventures have taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the courage to take the first step—even in the face of uncertainty. 

By attending the Congress, I hope to exchange insights, forge partnerships, and contribute to the dynamic global ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to drive positive change. The Global Entrepreneurship Congress represents a unique platform to learn from diverse perspectives, share my story, and gain exposure to innovative approaches that can help scale my impact. I am committed to leveraging this opportunity to not only advance my entrepreneurial journey but also to inspire and support others in their pursuit of transformative ideas. I am excited to engage with fellow entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors at the summit, and to be part of a movement that champions creativity, collaboration, and sustainable growth on a global scale.