Rural Enterprise Hubs

ZayoHub develops technology-enabled ‘enterprise and development’ hubs in remote rural locations in Zambia that aim to address short-comings in the enabling environment, and bring about sustainable, long-term change in last-mile communities

 Since operations began in 2018, ZayoHub has opened seven hubs in remote communities in the Southern, Western and Lusaka Provinces of Zambia. Each one serves a population of around 5,000 people, extending hub services to around 35,000 people in the most climate-vulnerable parts of Zambia. Two more will be open by mid-2021, and a further four are confirmed for late 2021-2022.

Our hubs offer a range of services and programmes designed to deliver multiple development goals to areas that are often beyond the reach of public or private organisations that may support the achievement of these goals. The areas in which we operate are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, further diminishing prospects for economic development.

ZayoHub has identified five pillars of support that strengthen the enabling environment and drive improvements in resilience and sustainable livelihoods:

• Resilient Livelihoods

• Financial Inclusion

• Renewable Energy

• Education and Training

• Connectivity

Existing livelihoods are strengthened through access to services that reduce costs of business, and increase access to information and opportunity. Community members access and combine different services over time, as needs change and develop. Training programmes address specific skills for selected livelihoods activities, and also strengthen individual capacities e.g., through IT, literacy, numeracy and business skills.

 Each ZayoHub is run by locally recruited Agents selected in consultation with the community, typically young people with secondary school education. More than half the agents are women. The first two years requires significant training and support, as few of the recruits have relevant skills and work experience at the outset. Despite this, working with locally recruited Agents is vital to success in building relations with the community.