The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission has officially launched the 2026 Call for Applications under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund, a major national funding initiative aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, SME growth, and inclusive economic development in Zambia.
This government-backed empowerment programme invites targeted citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, and eligible institutions to submit business investment proposals scheduled for implementation in 2026.
The application deadline has been extended to 27 February 2026.
Purpose of the 2026 Empowerment Funding Programme
The 2026 CEEC funding round is designed to stimulate sustainable economic growth and expand citizen participation in key sectors of Zambia’s economy. The initiative aims to:
Strengthen citizen-led business participation
Promote sustainable enterprise development
Expand job creation opportunities
Encourage inclusive economic growth
Increase productivity across priority sectors
The Commission places strong emphasis on youth empowerment, women-owned businesses, and persons with disabilities in line with Zambia’s national inclusive economic transformation agenda.
Available CEEC Empowerment Loan Products for 2026
Applicants can apply under multiple structured loan products designed to support diverse industries. Some of the key empowerment products include:
Presidential Irrigation System Support Loan Product
Graduate Loan Product
Borehole Drilling Equipment Loan Product
Tourism Loan Product
Waste Collection and Recycling Loan Product
These loan categories span agriculture, manufacturing, mining, energy, infrastructure, tourism, education, and environmental sustainability. The broad coverage ensures that entrepreneurs across high-growth sectors can access financial support.
Application Process and Submission Methods
For the 2026 funding cycle, applicants may submit their proposals through two official channels:
Online application via the CEEC Empowerment Plus System at www.ceec.org.zm
Physical hard copy submission through:
CEEC Provincial Offices
District Cooperative Offices under the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Applicants must ensure that their proposals are fully completed and aligned with the specific product guidelines before submission.
Important Requirements for 2026 CEEC Applications
To ensure eligibility and smooth processing, applicants must:
Follow the correct submission procedure for the selected loan product
Submit complete and accurate documentation
Ensure there are no adverse Credit Reference Bureau reports linked to the applicant, business, or directors
Provide confirmation of salary deductions through employers for salaried applicants
Incomplete, inaccurate, or incorrectly submitted applications will not be processed.
Eligibility and Priority Groups
The 2026 Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund particularly encourages applications from:
Youth entrepreneurs
Women-led enterprises
Persons with disabilities
Cooperatives and MSMEs
Citizens seeking to scale sustainable businesses
This empowerment call directly supports Zambia’s long-term economic diversification and citizen-driven growth strategy.
About the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission
The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission is a statutory body established under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act No. 9 of 2006. Its mandate is to promote broad-based participation of Zambian citizens in the national economy through structured financing, enterprise development, and capacity-building initiatives.
Through targeted loan products and empowerment programmes, CEEC continues to strengthen local business competitiveness and economic inclusion nationwide.
Prospective applicants are advised to consult the official CEEC website or visit the nearest provincial office for detailed product guidelines and application specifications.
Eligible applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute technical or documentation challenges.
