The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has recorded an 84 percent loan repayment rate in the first quarter of 2026.
This translates into a 10.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, when the repayment rate stood at 73.8 percent.
Chairperson of the Economic Transformation and Job Creation Cluster Advisory Group under the National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC), Crusivia Hichikumba, noted that the figure surpasses the target set by the Cluster for the quarter.
He explained that to enhance citizen participation in the economy, the Advisory Group had set a target of 80 percent repayment for empowerment funds, among other initiatives.
Mr Hichikumba made these remarks during the quarter one National Development Committee meeting in Lusaka.
“We hope this trend will continue. What financial institutions have observed is that our credit culture hasn’t been as good as it should be, but this improvement is really encouraging during one quarter,” he stated.
Mr. Hichikumba, who is also Permanent Secretary for Investment and Industrialisation in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, further reported that 5,417 companies were registered in the first quarter, exceeding the target of 3,878.
He said this figure is a significant contribution towards the annual target of 15,146 of new companies expected to be registered in 2026.
Additionally, the Cluster set a target of 23,460 business names to be registered by December 2026, with 5,865 earmarked for the first quarter. The target was surpassed, with 6,252 business names registered.
And an Economist, Kelvin Chisanga, said the achievements were a sign of strengthened economic discipline and improved participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the economic structure.
Mr Chisanga emphasised that higher loan repayment rates enhance the sustainability of empowerment funds by allowing more resources to revolve, thereby benefiting more businesses.
He added that the improvement in repayment culture has the potential to boost lender confidence and expand access to capital for SMEs.
He further noted that increased business registration and compliance with annual returns demonstrate accelerated deformalisation of the economy, which broadens the tax base and ultimately improve economic planning.
“Overall, this development supports fiscal sustainability, creates jobs, and fosters inclusive economic growth patterns,” he said.
