How does ZACCI lobby on behalf of its members?

Procedure a) A member first lodges a compliant to ZACCI and ZACCI then asks the member to substantiate the claim by way of providing full details on the matter. After further consultations and consolidation of the matter, an official compliant is then forwarded to the appropriate arm of Government for redress. b) If this does not work out to the full satisfaction of ZACCI and/or their client, other wings of Government are approached such as Parliament again through the appropriate committees. The success rate is 7 out of 10 cases bearing in mind that the success factor also largely depends on three main factors that is: the administration of the day, the quality of documentation of the case being presented and whether the issue being presented has a major impact on the economy overall.

How does a Chamber of Commerce and Industry accomplish these activities?

Chambers of Commerce and Industry usually accomplish their activities by: 1) having specific goals and objectives designed to meet the needs of the country; 2) having an organizational structure with policies and procedures for coordinating volunteers and programs of work; 3) having involved and dedicated leaders that are well informed and are willing to use their time and talent to accomplish meaningful activities; 4) having informed, interested and willing members to work on committees, to carry out programs of work and to provide necessary financing; 5) having the financial resources to undertake programs of work and to provide administrative responsibilities; 6) having skilled executive management dedicated to the chamber staff, to creative programming and to sound operations.

What are the main activities of ZACCI?
ZACCI’s activities reflect Zambia’s economic needs. They are undertaken by members to make the country a better place in which to live. Some of the most popular broad activities include: 1) Economic development: creating jobs; providing services and information to members; promoting retail activities; recruiting new businesses and industries; attracting tourists and conventions. 2) Community development: planning for growth; revitalizing the downtown retail area; promoting a modern transportation system. 3) Human resources development: conducting economic education and training programs; developing minority businesses; encouraging job training partnerships in businesses; helping to improve health and human services. 4) Public affairs/relations: communicating business and civic issues to local and national governments; helping citizens understand the legislative process and the free enterprise system of marketing; developing consumer affairs programs; conducting economic studies and surveys.

Why should I become a member of ZACCI?

ZACCI offers a wide range of benefits which include the following:

• Direct involvement in ZACCI’s activities related to representing the private sector in Zambia regarding identified priority areas (lobbying);
• Part of an active business network and access to seminars, workshops and business meetings (e.g. CEO’s breakfast event, annual general meeting, international business missions coming to Zambia, business-to-business networking events) at preferential prices;
• Priority access to the ZACCI Information Resource Centre (e.g. national, regional and international publications, directories and databases); 
• Ability to display information (e.g. annual report, newsletters, company brochures) about your organization or company in the ZACCI Information Resource Centre at no additional cost;
• Opportunity to establish a reciprocal link between your website and ZACCI’s online web portal;
• Access to ZACCI Publications (e.g. ZACCI Journal, How to Register a Business in Zambia, ZACCI HIV/AIDS Guide, How to Access Finance in Zambia) and free access to ZACCI Newsletter providing information about key economic indicators;
• Benefit from information, research and analysis provided by ZACCI regarding business topics relevant to the private sector in Zambia;

In addition the benefits listed above as a member of ZACCI you will be part of a network of business leaders from chambers of commerce, business membership organizations, private sector companies and academia who are actively involved in the key economic sectors in Zambia. ZACCI has also long standing relationships with key public sector organizations, chambers of commerce abroad as well as regional and international organizations.