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Who we are

REIZ was founded on the belief that communities possess the knowledge, resources, and potential to drive their own development when given the opportunity and support.

The Rural Enterprise Initiative Zambia (REIZ) is a community-driven development platform dedicated to transforming rural livelihoods through entrepreneurship, agriculture, and inclusive economic empowerment.

We exist to bridge the gap between rural potential and economic opportunity by equipping communities — especially youth, women, and small-scale entrepreneurs — with the skills, resources, and market access they need to thrive.

REIZ is a youth-led and youth-serving organisation that promotes transparency, accountability, participation, and practical community action.

The organisation emerged to address:

Rural poverty
Youth unemployment
Low economic productivity
Limited market access
Climate vulnerability

Background & History

Rural Enterprise initiative (REIZ) is a private non-political, non-profit organization created on the 17^th June, 2025 to sustain, strengthen, and promote socio-economic freedoms as the yardstick for pursuing the Sustainable Development.

REIZ was founded on the belief that communities have the knowledge, resources, and potential to grow ideas that determine their own sustainable development initiatives and therefore should be given the choice and freedom to pursue them.

REIZ emerged as part of broader efforts to address rural poverty, unemployment, and low economic productivity in the country. Since a large proportion of Zambia’s population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture, REIZ focuses on improving rural livelihoods, through the promotion of agri-businesses, entrepreneurship and financial access and prioritizes women and youth sustainable development

Rural Enterprise Initiative Zambia contributes to this belief by strengthening the capacity of local marginalized communities to explore and grow their ideas and venture into inclusive business through entrepreneurship development.

We facilitate entrepreneurship development by strengthening the capacities of local communities through provision of advisory and training services, facilitating knowledge development, networking, and advocating for policies and reforms that create an enabling environment for supporting the growth of ideas, fair business trading, and setting up of local entrepreneurship development facilities.

What Drives Us

Vision

To see commercialized rural communities who fairly take part in trading and inclusive business with increased production and incomes for enhanced household food security and sustainable livelihoods in Zambia.

Mission

To develop and build economic agency amongst rural communities through the implementation of gender and climate friendly inclusive business systems and pathways that initiate innovative smallholder commodity commercialization for rural transformation and economic development in Zambia.

Goals

To facilitate sustainable socio-economic development amongst marginalized communities through promotion of entrepreneurship.

Our Core Values

We are committed to empowering people to take ownership of their future and to creating spaces where everyone is valued, heard, and able to contribute. We promote equal opportunities and support innovation that strengthens livelihoods and drives sustainable economic growth. Recognizing our responsibility to future generations, we encourage responsible stewardship of natural resources and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. Above all, we believe that lasting change is achieved when individuals, communities, and organizations work together, harnessing their collective strengths to create a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.