COMESA Business Council Chief executive officer Sandra Uwera says the digital financial system has been identified as a focus area for improving the efficiency and performance of SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa.
And Save and Remit Services Managing Director Mrs Putty Muuka, said the digital platform such as the one launched Friday, would contribute to the growing of the economy not only through the empowerment of women but all Zambian entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the launch of Save and Remit Services in Lusaka, Friday, Uwera said digital banking and digital financing remained key to supporting women in the communities to save money.
She added that the launch was important because it provided government business with key aspects that promoted domestic trade and encouraged cross-border trade between Zambia and its neighbours.

“The digital financial system has been identified as a focus area for improving the efficiency and performance of SMEs in sub-Saharan Africa. The digital banking and digital financing is key to supporting women in the communities and in rural areas to a way to save money and to use cash to support household and small entrepreneurs growth for women and youth. I must say that this launch is important because it provides government business and business to business with key aspects that promote domestic trade and encourages cross border trade between Zambia and her neighboring countries,” Uwera said.

“Digital financial inclusion supports women inequality and should be made more accessible to women. It is important because it establishes financial independence, especially because money is power and such independence promotes the sustainability of many families and establishes the growth and competitiveness of the Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME).”

And Muuka, who is the founder of the Save and Remit platform, said women entrepreneurs were playing a key role in Zambia’s economy and therefore should be supported through digital platforms that would make their transactions easier.

“I grew up in a generation where Zambia had taken a leap to empower and promote the girl child, both in terms of education and skill. This approach has an impact on the strong, ambitious, fearless and successful female phenomenon we admire and look up to in today’s world. Thus, the female population of our country is contributing greatly to the Zambian economy, which makes providing women with services, such as we are offering, all the more important,” said Muuka.

Save and Remit services is a payable platform created to offer basic and affordable administration packages to savings groups, cooperatives and Zambian businesses, which cannot afford to hire a qualified accountant.