Launch a business in Zambia

Launched in collaboration with Western Union and the United States Agency for International Development, the African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) will award up to 30 grants ranging from US $30,000 – US$50,000 to selected entrepreneurial business proposals forany of the following African countries: Angola, Benin,Botswana, Cote D’Ivoire, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya,Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda,Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia,Uganda and Zambia.

The grant program is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are members of the African Diaspora and who have a local business partner in the country of implementation. Applicants will need to have additional funds to contribute to the business plan.

Key Dates

• December 16, 2011 –February 3, 2012: Call for proposals closes at 6 p.m. ET
• April 2012: Announcement of Finalists Finalists will be asked to submit a detailed business plan. The exact number of finalists will be determined by the availability of total funds.
• May 2012: Submission of finalists’ proposals Finalists will be invited to the 2012 African Diaspora Marketplace (ADM) for a “face-to-face” interview with an international jury and the opportunity to showcase their ideas.
• June 2012: African Diaspora Marketplace Event, Washington, DC An independent jury will evaluate each proposal and conduct face to face interviews with finalists to select the winners.