ZAMBIA National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving K180, 000 for the implementation of financial education and entrepreneurship capacity building. ZAMBIA National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) and the University of Zambia (UNZA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving K180, 000 for the implementation of financial education and entrepreneurship capacity building.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at UNZA, Zanaco managing director Martyn Schouten said the MoU would specifically benefit the University’s School of Agricultural Sciences.
Mr Schouten said Zanaco’s focus on agriculture is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its business.
“Gratitude goes to the University of Zambia for being willing to partner in the delivery of financial education and entrepreneurial training to students,” he said.
He further said that with the training, students will have a greater chance to identify opportunities for income for building wealth through the agricultural chain.
He added that the bank was interested in supporting sustainable community focused initiatives.
In the past five years, the bank had focused on financial fitness programme reaching more than 30,000 people, children, adults, farmers and Small Medium Enterprise across the country.
He said financial fitness was a major focus of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility and there was interest in reaching both urban and rural communities with financial education, to improve financial capabilities regardless of the social and economic status.
Meanwhile UNZA acting vice-Chancellor EnalaMwase thanked Zanaco for investing in the rehabilitating programme, mainstreaming financial education and entrepreneurial training in the curriculum 4003 courses and facilitating student field trips.
She said with the numerous challenges facing UNZA, the gesture by the Zanaco was timely and would go a long way in assisting the institution.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the rehabilitation of a field station and development of financial education module to be mainstreamed in one of the courses at UNZA.