LUSAKA – Zambia’s Mfumu Nkazi Multi Purpose Cooperative has etched its name in the history books after winning three Platinum Awards at the 2026 Southern Africa Brand Quality Awards and emerging as the most voted-for brand in this year’s competition.
The cooperative also became the first cooperative in Zambia to be nominated for the prestigious regional awards, highlighting the growing influence of Zambia’s cooperative movement and the competitiveness of locally manufactured products.
Founded in June 2023 and led by founder and chairperson Julie Chisuta, Mfumu Nkazi was established with a mission to manufacture quality cleaning products while empowering women through financial inclusion and community development after Chisuta left the banking sector to pursue entrepreneurship with a social impact.
Julie Chisuta is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a professional banker with specialised expertise in Risk Management, Retail Banking and Credit. Her strong background in finance, governance and business development has played a key role in the cooperative’s rapid growth and commitment to high-quality standards.
Recently, Julie and members of the cooperative attended an export readiness training organised through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The programme equipped participants with practical knowledge on international trade, export procedures and market access. With the skills acquired and the regional recognition the cooperative has now achieved, Mfumu Nkazi is well positioned and ready to begin exporting its products to regional and international markets.
At the awards, the cooperative received Platinum honours in all three categories it entered:
• Quality Excellence Award – Best SME Manufacturer of Homecare Products (Detergents & Powders) in Southern Africa
• Quality Excellence Award – Most Preferred Cleaning Brand in Southern Africa
• Quality Excellence Award – Most Preferred Degreaser Brand in Southern Africa
According to the organisers, the 2026 awards attracted 2,210,698 registered voters, with 1,566,206 votes cast, representing a 70.8 percent voter turnout—the highest participation rate recorded across all 2026 survey categories. Voting took place over 41 days, from March 30 to May 10, 2026, with winners determined through a 60 percent public vote and 40 percent expert panel assessment.
The cooperative’s recognition as the most voted-for brand reflects the growing confidence consumers across Southern Africa have placed in its products.
What started as a grassroots initiative has rapidly grown into a recognised manufacturer of household and institutional cleaning products, producing a wide range of items including dishwashing liquid, degreasers, bleach, toilet cleaners, oven cleaners, scouring powder, handwash, car shampoo and other homecare products.
Beyond manufacturing, Mfumu Nkazi has positioned itself as a women-led enterprise focused on economic empowerment. Its vision is to become Zambia’s leading women-led cooperative recognised for quality products, sustainable practices and social impact. The cooperative also aims to train more than 500 women in financial literacy and entrepreneurship by 2030 while expanding its market across Zambia and the region.
The cooperative has already received national recognition for its achievements. In 2025, it was selected by Ecobank as one of the most active women-led cooperatives under the Women Elevate Programme. It has also participated in regional trade fairs, established strategic partnerships with suppliers and distributors, and launched community programmes that equip women with entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills.
Mfumu Nkazi has also embraced modern production methods, digital record-keeping and mobile payment platforms to improve efficiency and transparency, while introducing environmentally friendly packaging solutions as part of its sustainability agenda. The cooperative reinvests much of its profits into production and community empowerment initiatives to support long-term growth.
Speaking on the achievement, the cooperative described the awards as a celebration of vision, resilience and the belief that locally manufactured Zambian products can compete successfully on the regional stage.
The historic recognition is expected to further strengthen Mfumu Nkazi’s position as one of Zambia’s leading homecare manufacturers while serving as an inspiration to cooperatives, entrepreneurs and young innovators across the country. With the knowledge gained through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives export training and its latest regional accolades, the cooperative is now preparing to expand beyond Zambia and establish its products in international markets.
The cooperative also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs, students and professionals never to stop learning, believing in their dreams and pursuing their passions with determination. It noted that continuous education, acquiring new skills and remaining committed to one’s vision can open doors to opportunities that may seem impossible today. “You never know where your passion, dedication and willingness to keep learning might lead you,” the cooperative said.