The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with the Capital Markets Association of Zambia undertakes an Annual Essay Writing Competition as part of its regular activities aimed at raising financial literacy, enhancing investor education and protection by engaging the youth through essay writing as a platform to spark critical thinking around capital market issues.
The competition targets students enrolled in tertiary institutions across Zambia thereby empowering young people with investment knowledge that supports both individual growth and national financial inclusion. Each year, students are invited to submit essays focused on a selection of investment-related themes, reflecting their understanding of key concepts such as investor protection, investment basics, fraud and scams and other capital market developments.
Participants are expected to submit essays that demonstrate thoughtful analysis, backed by sound research. The essays should follow an academic structure, typically including an introduction, literature review, discussion, recommendations, and references in APA citation style. General guidelines regarding formatting, word count, and submission requirements are shared each year as part of the competition launch. These guidelines also include requirements for student identification, proof of registration, and digital engagement with the SEC’s platforms.
Essays are reviewed by a panel of experts based on relevance to the theme, originality, research depth, and writing quality. The top submissions are shortlisted, and selected authors are invited to orally defend their work before the judges panel to assess clarity, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
Winners of the competition receive monetary prizes, certificates, and internship opportunities with the Commission or partner institutions. In addition to being recognized during the subsequent World Investor Week commemorations, winning essays are published on the SEC Zambia website and may be considered for wider circulation through the Commission’s bulletin or international publications.
The Essay Writing Competition has become a staple of the SEC’s investor education efforts and continues to provide students with a platform to build their understanding of the capital markets. It reflects the Commission’s long-term commitment to building a financially literate society and nurturing future leaders in the financial sector.
In alignment with Zambia’s National Strategy on Financial Education and the activities under World Investor Week, which are designed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, including children, youths, and adults to ensure a cross-cutting approach that fosters financial inclusion and knowledge among all age groups, The SEC undertakes a Capital Markets National Debate Competition undertaken in collaboration with a range of stakeholders. These include Debate Associations, Academia, the Capital Markets Association of Zambia, the Lusaka Securities Exchange Plc, Stockbrokers, Fund Managers, Investment Advisors etc
The Capital Markets National Debate Competition engages students from tertiary institutions across all ten provinces of Zambia. Debate topics are derived from the prevailing WIW theme each year, encouraging participants to critically explore issues such as investments, digital, sustainable finance, digital finance, and fraud prevention—topics that resonate with both local and global investor education goals.
The competition begins with provincial inter-tertiary debate rounds, culminating in a national grand finale, where the top teams face off in a spirited contest of ideas and public speaking. This event not only builds students’ analytical and communication skills but also deepens their understanding of capital market concepts and their relevance to national development.
The growing impact and success of this initiative is evidenced by its past winners. In 2023, Solwezi School of Nursing from North-Western Province emerged as national champions, while in 2024, Northern Technical College (NORTEC) from the Copperbelt Province claimed the top spot. These milestones highlight the competition’s role in promoting youth engagement in financial literacy and in shaping the next generation of informed investors.
