The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Zambia, in partnership with the Ministry of Technology & Science, has officially launched Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Zambia 2025, with TEVET institutions across all provinces championing transformative innovation and entrepreneurship activities nationwide.
Launching the week at Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka, the GEN Zambia – Managing Director & GEW Zambia Country Host Mr. Edwin Zulu applauded the Ministry of Technology & Science for its critical leadership in mobilizing TEVET colleges to drive provincial and local GEW activities. He emphasized that without this national coordination effort, the week would not have achieved such unprecedented national coverage and participation.
“This year’s GEW theme, Together We Build, calls us to unite as an ecosystem; education, industry, government, private sector, communities and development partners to build a future where innovation transforms communities and entrepreneurship expands economic opportunities,” said Mr. Zulu.
TEVET Colleges Demonstrate Outstanding Leadership
Evelyn Hone College commenced the week with:
- Industry expert talks across academic schools and technical fields.
- Student - led innovation and entrepreneurship showcases.
- Research - to-enterprise conversion workshops featuring business leaders and
technologists. - Innovation exhibitions and pitching competitions scheduled for 20 November 2025,
officiated by the Director – VET on behalf of the Permanent Secretary.
Nkumbi International College (Mkushi) and NORTEC College (Ndola) are also leading regional GEW activities, with more TEVET institutions joining throughout the week. Mr. Zulu encouraged all public and private TEVET institutions yet to begin GEW activities
to engage GEN Zambia and the Ministry for program support and technical guidance. Pathway to Global Representation
GEN Zambia also announced that:
Top - performing innovators and participating institutions will be considered for Zambia’s delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress + Africa, scheduled for September 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, and to the full Global Entrepreneurship Congress upon publication of final hosting announcements.
Mr. Zulu called on TEVET institutions, TEVETA and the Ministry to prioritize annual budgeting for entrepreneurship development and GEW activities, ensuring sustainability and stronger national competitiveness.
Expanding Zambia’s Global Innovation Footprint
Global Entrepreneurship Week began in 2008 and today runs in over 200 countries, mobilizing millions of young innovators. Zambia joined GEW in 2008, then implemented under ELIF Business Solutions and the COMESA SME Toolkit Project, with an early focus on youth and student entrepreneurship.
The movement has since evolved into a national platform aligned to five strategic pillars:
- Policy
- Ecosystem
- Inclusion
- Education
- Encore Entrepreneurship
Mr. Zulu emphasized Zambia’s vision to become Africa’s Global Hub for Entrepreneurship and MSME development, powered by youth, women, and retirees transitioning into enterprise.
A Call to Action
“This is a national movement. We invite all provincial administrations, district leaders, universities, youth groups, private sector institutions, and development partners to join us in building a stronger, job-creating innovation economy for Zambia,” said Mr. Zulu.
Mr. Zulu thanked the Ministry’s call for all TEVETs to be the centers of innovations both for their students and community of operations and the call to enhance the academia – Industry linkages and partnerships, for also calling upon all TEVET institutions to be budgeting annually for the GEW activities, starting with the Ministry of Technology & Science itself. Mr. Zulu also appreciated the Dr. Agripa Hamweendo the Evelyn Hone College for his earlier pledge to support quarterly GEW activities starting 2026 and the Guest of Honour’s ending with the statement that yes we can build.
About GEN Zambia
The GEN Zambia is an official affiliate of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, a global organization operating in more than 200 countries that builds entrepreneurial ecosystems, supports startup growth, and drives innovation policy and economic transformation.