By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

TOTAL Zambia has launched a K390, 000 entrepreneurship competition to reward the youths with the most innovative business plan.
Under the competition coined “Start-upper of the Year by Total Challenge”, Total will provide support to the best business creation and business development projects that would promote social economic benefits for the country.
Managing director Damien Ricour-Dumas said the competition was also targeted at identifying and supporting upcoming entrepreneurs in the country that demonstrate potential to uplift communities.
“Entrepreneurship continues to create social and economic benefits for communalities across Zambia and supporting start-ups will encourage more youth participation in economic growth,” Mr Ricour-Dumas said.
He was speaking at the launch of competition at Roma Park in Lusaka on Monday night.
To qualify, an enterprise need to be less than two years and each of the three winners of the challenge will receive individual coaching, on completion,  Total will provide financial support for their project.
The competition is open to individuals up to 35 years of age at the submission of the application.
The youths should either have plans to start business that has to be implemented within six months after selection of winners or have a business under development that is less than two years.
An official ceremony to announce the results and award the winners will take place late in April 2016 ,with the value awards equivalent to the  first prize at K190,000,  the second prize winner will go away with K120,000 and the third prize is pegged at K80,000.
The competition is currently underway across 34 African countries where Total operates and the company will celebrate 65 years of operating in Zambia.
Meanwhile, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe who officiated at  the launch said,  ideas deserve support especially great ones.
“Ideas need to be supported; especially great ideas and promising  ones,  deserve a helping hand. Our young people need this kind of support to accelerate the development of their projects,” Ms Mwanakatwe said in a speech read for her by department of foreign trade acting director, Lillian Bwalya.