Promoting smart money habits in Zambia
For Robert Kapasa Makasa Financial Education Memorial Trust, financial education is not just about money. It is about giving young people the confidence, habits and knowledge they need to make better choices for their future.
Based in Zambia, the organisation works to promote financial inclusion through financial education. Its focus is simple but urgent: reducing financial indebtedness and poverty through advocacy and practical learning.
Founded five years ago, the Trust has become an active voice for social and financial education in Zambia. It believes that many people, especially young people, need stronger financial knowledge to navigate daily life, make informed decisions and build more secure futures.
Partnering with Aflatoun
The Robert Kapasa Makasa Financial Education Memorial Trust partnered with Aflatoun International in 2022. For the organisation, the partnership was a natural fit because of its belief in learning, collaboration and teamwork.
Through this partnership, the Trust uses the AflaYouth+++ curriculum to support young people with social and financial education. This approach helps learners build practical skills while also strengthening confidence, responsibility and decision-making.
Why financial education matters
In Zambia, financial education is closely linked to inclusion, opportunity and long-term well-being. The Trust notes that many people continue to face poverty and financial exclusion, making social and financial education especially important.
By helping young people understand saving, spending, planning and responsible decision-making, the organisation contributes to a stronger foundation for financial independence. It also encourages young people to think about their goals and the choices that can help them reach them.
Building financial literacy clubs
One initiative the Trust is especially proud of is the creation of social and financial literacy clubs in schools. These clubs give learners a space to talk about money, practise decision-making, and explore real-life financial choices in a simple and engaging way.
During 2026 Financial Literacy Week, held from 16–31 March 2026 under the theme “Smart Money Talks,” the Trust helped bring financial education to life through youth-centred activities.
The campaign encouraged learners to ask practical questions:
Should I spend today or save for something bigger later?
How do small savings grow over time?
What does it mean to make a smart money choice?
These conversations are important because they make financial education feel real. They help young people connect classroom learning with everyday choices at home, in school and in their communities.
Learning that starts small
The Trust’s approach shows that financial education does not need to begin with complex concepts. It can start with a simple coin, a classroom discussion, a savings goal or a question about needs and wants.
This kind of learning helps young people understand that money gives choices. It also teaches them that the real power is in how those choices are made.
Through school clubs and community engagement, learners are encouraged to build smart money habits early. Over time, these habits can support better planning, stronger confidence and more informed decisions.
A growing movement for inclusion
Robert Kapasa Makasa Financial Education Memorial Trust is part of a wider movement to make financial education more accessible to children and young people.
Its work reflects Aflatoun’s belief that social and financial education can help young people become more confident, responsible and active in shaping their futures.
By promoting financial inclusion in Zambia, the Trust is helping learners understand that even small actions can lead to bigger change. Saving a little, planning ahead, asking questions and making thoughtful decisions are all steps toward a more secure future.
Looking ahead
As the Trust continues its work with schools and communities, its message remains clear: smart money habits start early.
Through its partnership with Aflatoun International, the organisation is helping young people in Zambia gain the skills they need to make informed choices, reduce financial risks and build brighter futures.
