Prospero Zambia

What Prospero Zambia does

Prospero Zambia is a Lusaka-based, non-profit organisation founded in 2014/2015 that supports Zambian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through donor programme implementation, technical assistance, market system development, and MSME investment facilitation. The organisation operates four thematic hubs — Agriculture, Mining, Energy, and Sustainability — and pursues an integrated approach under the Prospering Zambia Platform (PZP) framework, with pillars spanning Digital Reach, Coordinated Clusters, Access to Finance, and Strategic Partnerships. Its primary beneficiaries are growth-oriented Zambian SMEs, while its primary revenue sources are development donors (including the European Union, the African Development Bank via AFD, and corporate partners such as First Quantum Minerals) and institutional partners.

Prospero's underlying technology consists of owned digital distribution channels rather than proprietary software. Core platforms include the SME Portal (prospero-sme.com), the Nyamuka Learning Portal (learn.prospero-sme.com), and an upcoming One Stop Shop hub currently under development. Service delivery is modularised through programmes such as the Nyamuka-SDP Curriculum and the Nyamuka Dynamic Working Capital Facility (mining supplier development), the Coordinated Cluster Farming Model (agriculture), and a menu of business services (Pitch Deck Prep, Proposal Writing, Financial Statements Prep, Investment Facilitation, IT Support, Strategic Plan Development). Distribution is delivered through a combination of self-serve portals, direct SME engagement, and a 30+ partner implementation network.

The business model is that of a development-sector non-profit implementing partner. Prospero does not charge commercial fees; instead, it monetises through donor grant implementation fees, overhead recovery on managed programmes, investment facilitation referrals, and donation income (ZMW 100–5,000 suggested tiers plus custom amounts). As of the most recent disclosures, the organisation directly supports 500+ SMEs and reaches 34,000+ MSMEs more broadly, has deployed ZMW 50M+ in funding, and works with a ~15-person team based at its Lusaka headquarters.

Name

Prospero Zambia

Legal name

Prospero

Website

https://prospero.co.zm

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Prospero Zambia is a Lusaka-based non-profit that supports Zambian MSMEs through donor programme implementation, technical assistance, market development, and investment facilitation across Agriculture, Mining, Energy, and Sustainability hubs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)

Keywords

• SME business support
• MSME development services
• Market system development
• Supplier development programs
• Investment facilitation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Programme Implementation: Prospero operates as a non-profit implementing partner for donors, implementing grant programmes and technical assistance for MSME development.
2. MSME Investment Facilitation: Connecting growth-oriented SMEs with impact investors and commercial financing, building a robust impact investing ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Prospero Zambia is a non-profit organization that supports Zambian MSMEs through donor programme implementation, market system development, capacity building, investment facilitation, and grant management. It delivers business support services including pitch deck preparation, proposal writing, financial statements preparation, strategic plan development, and IT support, organized around four thematic hubs: Agriculture, Mining, Energy, and Sustainability. Digital access is provided through the SME Portal and Nyamuka Learning Portal.

Product overview

Prospero Zambia operates as a non-profit MSME support organization offering a multi-platform portfolio of services across four thematic hubs: Agriculture, Mining, Energy, and Sustainability. The core offerings include the SME Portal and Nyamuka Learning Portal for digital access, the Nyamuka-SDP Curriculum and Nyamuka Dynamic Working Capital Facility for supplier development in mining, the Coordinated Cluster Farming Model for agriculture, and business services (Pitch Deck Prep, Proposal Writing, Financial Statements Prep, Investment Facilitation, IT Support, Strategic Plan Development). The Hubs serve as thematic program categories under which capacity building, financing solutions, and technical assistance are delivered to MSMEs across Zambia's key economic sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SME Portal A comprehensive digital platform providing SMEs in Zambia with access to business support services, resources, and learning tools to grow their enterprises.
• Nyamuka Learning Portal An online learning platform offering educational resources, training modules, and skill development programmes for entrepreneurs and SMEs in Zambia.
• Pitch Deck Prep Business support service helping SMEs and entrepreneurs prepare effective pitch decks for investors and funding opportunities.
• Proposal Writing Professional proposal writing support to help SMEs create compelling funding proposals and business plans.
• Financial Statements Prep Preparation of financial statements and documentation for SME business planning and investor readiness.
• Investment Facilitation Service connecting growth-oriented Zambian SMEs with appropriate impact investors and commercial financing opportunities.
• IT Support Technical IT support services for SMEs to enhance their digital capabilities and operations.
• Strategic Plan Development Development of strategic plans to guide SME growth and long-term business objectives.
• Nyamuka-SDP Curriculum Comprehensive capacity building programme designed to strengthen supplier capabilities, enhance business operations, and improve competitiveness within mining supply chains.
• Nyamuka Dynamic Working Capital Facility Innovative and affordable working capital solutions providing mining supplier SMEs with financial resources needed to fulfill contracts and scale operations effectively.
• Coordinated Cluster Farming Model Programme aimed at scaling up food production by bridging farming practice gaps between commercial farmers and smallholder/emergent farmers through coordinated clusters.
• GreenTECH for Circular Economy (GreenTECH4CE) Project promoting circular economy principles through green technology adoption, sustainable business practices, and environmental innovation for climate-resilient communities in Zambia.
• Zambia for Agroforestry, Biodiversity and Climate (Z4ABC) Project advancing sustainable land use through agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, and climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security and environmental resilience.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ SMEs Supported
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Government of the Republic of ZambiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership supporting national economic development objectives through MSME support programmes
• First Quantum MineralscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMining company partnership for supplier development and local sourcing initiatives
• Self Help AfricacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for GreenTECH4CE project promoting circular economy through green technology adoption
• CIFOR-ICRAFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImplementation partner for Z4ABC project (Zambia for Agroforestry, Biodiversity and Climate)
• Zambia Association of ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership for manufacturing sector MSME support
• Imani DevelopmentcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment consulting partner for programme implementation
• Mercy CorpscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development organization partnership for programme implementation
• World Vision ZambiacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNGO partnership for community development and MSME support
• WWF ZambiacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEnvironmental organization partnership for sustainability initiatives
• SolarAid/Solar RepubliccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean energy partnership for solar solutions and renewable energy access
• Zambia Chamber of Commerce and IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness association partnership for private sector development
• Rural Electrification Authority (REA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partnership for energy access initiatives
• Zambia Development Agency (ZDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestment promotion and development agency partnership
• PFAN (Private Financing Advisory Network)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerClimate and clean energy finance network for investment facilitation
• ZCGS (Zambia Carbon Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon market development partnership for climate financing

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TechnoServe: Global non-profit that works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. Directly comparable as an MSME development organization delivering market systems, capacity building, and supplier development in similar emerging markets, including Zambia.
• FSD Africa: Financial Sector Deepening Africa is a specialist development agency that works to reduce poverty by building inclusive financial markets across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable to Prospero's Financial Inclusion & Access to Finance pillar and investment facilitation work, with overlapping banking and impact investor partnerships.
• GroFin: GroFin provides finance and business support to small and growing businesses across Africa and the Middle East. Comparable as a hybrid SME finance + capacity building provider operating in similar emerging markets with a focus on underserved MSMEs.
• Business Partners International: Business Partners International supports SME growth in Southern and East Africa through tailored finance, mentorship, and premises. Comparable for combining investment facilitation with non-financial business support aimed at growth-oriented African SMEs.
• Self Help Africa: International development NGO focused on sustainable livelihoods and enterprise in sub-Saharan Africa, including the GreenTECH4CE partnership with Prospero. Directly comparable as an agriculture and SME-focused NGO with overlapping donor-backed programme design in Zambia.
• Imani Development: Specialist development consulting firm delivering programme design, M&E, and implementation support in Southern and Eastern Africa. Comparable as a niche consultancy/implementation partner working alongside major donors on economic development programmes in Zambia.

Broad incumbents

• Palladium Group: Global implementation firm that manages large donor-funded development programmes across agriculture, mining, energy, and governance. Comparable as a larger-scale implementer of donor programmes targeting MSME growth and market systems development in emerging markets.
• Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian and development organization with active operations in Zambia. Comparable as a major INGO implementing donor-funded programmes on MSME support, food security, and economic recovery — and a confirmed Prospero implementation partner.
• World Vision Zambia: Large INGO implementing community development and economic empowerment programmes in Zambia. Comparable as an established partner organization delivering MSME and community economic development programmes through donor funding.
• WWF Zambia: Conservation organization with active Zambia programmes on sustainable livelihoods, including the Sustainability Hub partnership with Prospero. Comparable for integrating environmental and SME/sustainable industries programming with funding from major international donors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/prosperozm
• Facebookweb.facebook.com/prosperozm
• Instagraminstagram.com/prosperolimited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Prospero Zambia