FRENCH BUSINESS CIRCLE IN ZAMBIA

Business network for success

01. Strategic

Bring together influential people from the business world

02. Professional

Build and establish a climate of trust within the circle

03. NETWORK

Help get joint projects between France and Zambia off the
ground and forge ties between leading figures in Zambia and France

What we do

The FBC

The FBC is an association established in October 2020 in Lusaka. It is a network of French and local leaders and decision-makers whose vision is to become an influential and leading business platform in Zambia. Its primary mission is to bring together influential people from the business world, to build and establish a climate of trust within the circle with the aim of generating value and wealth for all its members.

The role of the FBC is also to help get joint projects between France and Zambia off the ground and to forge ties between leading figures in Zambia and France.

The FBC brings together entrepreneurs, leaders of MSEs, SMEs, French multinationals as well as influential Zambian decision-makers from different sectors and from the
political and diplomatic world.

The members gather around the same desire: to develop their business. Several times a year, they meet around a chosen event and activities to discuss, establish
contacts and consider new collaborations.

Who we are

Board of directors

Eric Rambeloson

Executive Director

• Owner and founder – Tradcoms Company
• Board Director – Ilog Zambia and Kasanka Trust (2018-2023)

LinkedIn

Eric started his career in Europe and the US for an international consultant firm as a specialist in productivity and re-engineering. Early 2000’s, he was hired to restructure one of the biggest agri-industry group in Zambia for couple of years. He then worked for different organizations in Zambia and accumulated experience in various sectors. Previously Commercial Director at Bolloré Transport & Logistics Zambia, Eric has recently made the choice of entrepreneurship.

“ French resident in Zambia for 20+ years, I am involved with the FBC to share my dynamism, ethics and network. I truly believe that FBC is a great way to connect with like-minded people and expand business. ”

louis Eddy bijoux jr

Executive Director

• Owner and CEO– IMMERSIUM – Photography and Virtual Tours.
• Board Member – SOCOJEB S.A Pharmaceutical Wholesale Sector
• Co-owner – VIZUALIS Motion Graphics & Live Event Production
• Board member –ED2 CONTRACTORS Logistics and Distribution.

LinkedIn

Louis-Eddy has more than 15 years of management experience in various
industries including telecom, pharmaceutical, Broadcasting media, transport, warehousing

and distribution. Professional photo-journalist, photo-graphist specializing in Bespoke
360° virtual Tours, Portrait and commercial photography, helping
businesses across the continent boost their SEO, marketing and get more
leads and enquiries.

“ “People do business with people they know, as a serial entrepreneur,
partnering with like-minded people is key. I wanted to become actively
involved in preparing, developing and promoting our Franco-Zambian
community for economic growth. I have decided to join the FBC because
the chief reward is the opportunity to be involved with a unique and
professional organization which contributes to its community_ _with its
involvement and visibility.”

HARRIET MDALA

Director

• Partner – MAY & Co
• Board Member – Instapay Africorp Limited
• Board Member – Rainbow Capital Limited
• Board Member – Tradcoms Limited

LinkedIn

Harriet is currently a Partner at MAY & Co and has over 11 years’ experience in various corporate and commercial law related matters in Zambia. Her areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions, energy and infrastructure, real property, regulatory and compliance matters as well as corporate governance. Harriet has vast experience with structuring, negotiation and completion of merger, disposal and joint venture transactions.

“ I have always shared the sentiments of Robin Jones Gunn who said that if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with others. This is why I joined the FBC. Also, I believe that through the FBC, we would be able to enhance the development of economic and cultural relations between French and Zambian entities and individuals. ”

ERNEST K. MFULA

Director

•International Retail Trainer – TotalEnergies Marketing

LinkedIn

Ernest is a seasoned business manager currently working as International Retail Trainer covering English speaking countries in Africa where TotalEnergies MS branch has a presence, with over 20 years experience in the Petroleum industry. He has expertise and experience in fuel service station development and operations as well as sales and marketing, with business management skills and human capital management and development

“ The French Business Circle has created an opportunity and platform for business people and professionals to share experiences and ideas on dynamic subjects and I am happy to share my experiences and also learn from others. ”

François Goldblatt

Honorary member

French Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia

François Goldblatt was appointed French Ambassador to the Republic of Zambia and Special Representative of the French government to COMESA, on 30 September, 2020.

“ As a strong believer in the necessity for the French business community operating in Zambia to rely upon a dynamic institution, the Ambassador has been keen to support the French Business Circle since its inception.

Hence, the French Embassy has been closely associated to a number of events and activities organized by the FBC.

As a result, the French Embassy and the FBC work hand in hand on all issues related to the promotion of French business interests in Zambia. ”

CELIA SEKANI

Attaché

Legal Innovation Lead – MAY and Company

Celia, MAY and Company’s Innovation Lead and her team work on innovative solutions to legal work. This includes brainstorming, testing, and training of the MAYbot, an AI chatbot available on the firm’s website. MAYbot provides easy access to preliminary legal information on Zambian law, enhancing legal literacy in the community and connecting users with relevant professionals at MAY and Company.

Membership

Inclusive Club

FBC is a strictly inclusive club system. It only accepts new members based on the recommendation and invitation from FBC current members and founders, in order to further ensure the build-up of an exclusive and high standard business circle for our members.

We currently have over 40 member companies

FBC members come from very diverse sectors. FBC attaches particular importance to ensuring that each sector of activity is represented in order to guarantee exchange, cross-functionality and business for everyone. Ultimately, the FBC would like to respect the following proportions in the allocation of its members: 1/3^rd members (entities or individuals) of French nationality, 2/3^rd members (Zambian companies or nationalities other than French).

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