The launch of the Sustainable Business Initiative marked an important moment for Zambia’s sustainability and innovation ecosystem. Beyond the event itself, it also created space to recognise the leadership, clarity of vision, and determination behind the initiative.
At the centre of this work is Rabecca Hichilo Silolezya, Executive Director of the Sustainable Business Initiative. Her leadership reflects a growing shift in how sustainability is being positioned in Zambia, not as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic driver for resilient and competitive businesses.
Rabecca is also a member of the BongoHive Co-working community, a space where entrepreneurs and professionals build, test, and refine ideas that respond to real market needs. For BongoHive, this makes the journey of the Sustainable Business Initiative particularly meaningful. It is a reminder that strong platforms are often built within ecosystems that encourage collaboration, learning, and bold thinking.
The Sustainable Business Initiative was designed as a practical response to the challenges businesses face as sustainability expectations increase. Its focus is on helping enterprises integrate sustainability into their core strategy and operations, rather than treating it as a separate or secondary activity. Through leadership engagement, capacity building, and collaboration across sectors, SBI aims to equip businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to become future-ready.
Building such a platform requires more than technical expertise. It demands persistence, the ability to convene diverse stakeholders, and a commitment to balancing ambition with practicality. These qualities have been evident in Rabecca’s approach to shaping SBI and bringing together government, private sector leaders, and the innovation ecosystem around a shared goal.
As BongoHive, we are proud of Rabecca and the work she is leading through the Sustainable Business Initiative. Our pride goes beyond the success of the launch. It is rooted in seeing a member of our co-working community build an institution with the potential to influence how business is done in Zambia.
Looking ahead, BongoHive is excited about continuing to support Rabecca and SBI as they grow and scale. This includes collaboration around sustainable innovation, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses developing climate-smart solutions, and strengthening linkages between innovators, corporates, and markets.
The journey of the Sustainable Business Initiative is a strong example of what can emerge when vision is supported by community and when leadership is grounded in purpose. It reinforces the role of local ecosystems in nurturing ideas that have the power to shape industries and drive long-term impact.