The Competitive Mindset That Drives Success in People From Big Population Nations

Key Takeaways:

1. Mentality matters more than population size when it comes to success.
2. Dependency on external help traps us in low productivity.
3. A resource curse mindset limits us from building a diversified economy.

One of the most common excuses we constantly hear when people compare Zambian's success and growth to that of East Africans, Nigerians, Indians, or Chinese is that "they come from larger populations."

While it’s true that these nations have bigger populations (implicitly larger markets to sell to), the real reason for the success of these people isn’t merely due to numbers. Yes, Nigerians, Indians, East Africans, and Chinese come from larger populations, but even when they come to small-population nations like Zambia, they still dominate and rapidly grow in the industries they engage in. This isn’t by chance.

The excuse misses a critical point about the mentality that people from larger population nations develop—a mentality that sets them apart when they come to smaller, and to be honest often more docile-minded nations like Zambia.

Look at Zambia’s manufacturing sector—75% of it is owned by Indian Zambians, many of whose grandfathers arrived in Zambia with nothing but the shirts on their backs, sleeping in packed houses, starting from scratch. Despite their humble beginnings, they’ve built wealth across generations in sectors we claim are not profitable in this nation.

A "Do or Die" Mentality

What we need to understand is that large population nations instil a "do or die" mentality in their people. When the population of a country is large, individuals quickly realize that neither their government nor their families can take care of them.

The sheer number of people and needs is overwhelming, and there's no guarantee that anyone will notice if you’re struggling and, to be honest, even if you die. You could starve to death, and life would move on.

In these high-population nations, the people also understand that millions of people are fighting for the same opportunities, sales, land and other resources and they know that they must compete for everything or face harsh consequences.

Now, imagine someone with that mentality coming into a nation like Zambia, where there are fewer people, abundant resources, and a general sense that "someone else"—whether it's the government, relatives, or donors—will eventually step in to help.

When individuals from these ultra-competitive environments arrive here, they see opportunities everywhere. While many Zambians may be focused on what their "rich uncle" or government can do for them, others are spotting openings and pouncing on them visciously.

?? The Comfort Trap

In Zambia, 90% of the conversation tends to revolve around the government, the IMF, or external investors. There’s a pervasive belief that eventually, help will come. But in countries like Nigeria, with over 200 million people, no one lives with the expectation that the government can provide for everyone. People resign themselves to the reality that if they don’t fend for themselves, they won’t survive.

?? The Resource Curse Mentality

The resource curse is often described as what happens when a poor nation discovers natural resources, and wealthier countries flock in to exploit them, leaving the local population impoverished. While this narrative holds some truth, the deeper problem is internal: the abundance of resources convinces us that all we need to do is dig them up and sell them. We become obsessed with trading raw materials instead of creating or processing anything ourselves, waiting for a good life to be imported to us in exchange for what we extract.

Take copper, for instance—it has become a focal point of conversation for a nation of 10 million able-bodied adults. 90% of our economic discussions revolve around copper, as if digging up minerals is the sole answer to our growth. But while we fixate on one industry, we leave countless other sectors untapped, ignoring the potential we could be building if we adopted a mindset of diversification and productivity. The focus on resources is a convenient cop-out for our low drive and low productivity.

?? Success Is Born From Mindset, Not Size

So yes, they come from bigger populations, but it’s not the size that matters. It’s the mentality that a larger population forces upon them. When resources are scarce, and survival is on the line, people develop a predatory instinct—one that allows them to thrive even in foreign environments.

Lions aren’t the biggest creatures in the jungle, and sharks aren’t the largest in the sea, yet they are the most feared because of their predatory mindset. Likewise, individuals from ultra-competitive environments come into Zambia with the same killer instinct—an instinct that propels them to dominate because they understand that waiting for someone else to solve their problems is a recipe for failure.

?? We Know What We Must Do

The comfortable and docile nature of many Zambians makes us easy to dominate by those with a more aggressive, survivalist mentality. While we are discussing government programs or donor support, others are strategizing how to make the most of the opportunities and wide open markets/industries available, and within months, they take over industries.

? Are We Ready

It’s time to break free from the comfort trap. Zambia may be a small country with a manageable population, but we can no longer afford to rely on the idea that someone else will save us. It’s the mindset of competition, survival, and seizing opportunity that determines success. Those who come from larger populations know this all too well, and that’s why they win. If we want to thrive in our own country, we must adopt the same mentality.

The question is: Are we ready to embrace that competitive mindset?