🇿🇲 BRIEFING | Kalaba Criticises 24-Hour Economy Plan as Online Backlash Mounts
Opposition leader Harry Kalaba has sharply criticised the government’s newly announced 24-hour economy policy, arguing that Zambia lacks the economic activity required to sustain round-the-clock commercial operations.
The criticism follows Cabinet’s approval of the policy earlier this week, which proposes allowing businesses, markets and transport hubs to operate throughout the day and night as part of broader efforts to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
In a post shared on social media, Kalaba dismissed the proposal in blunt terms.
“You can’t open an economy for 24 hours when there is no economy to talk about. Where the economy operates 24 hours, there is activity in that economy and people have money to spend. None of these exist.”
The remarks quickly triggered a wave of reactions online, with many social media users pushing back against the former foreign affairs minister’s position.
Several commentators argued that the policy is intended precisely to expand economic activity rather than wait for it to emerge on its own, noting that extended trading hours could create opportunities for small businesses, transport operators and informal traders.
Others pointed out that in many cities across Africa and beyond, informal economies already function late into the night, suggesting that government’s move could simply formalise practices that already exist in markets, bus stations and urban trading centres.
The debate reflects a broader national discussion about whether Zambia has the infrastructure, security and consumer demand necessary to support a fully functioning night-time economy.
Supporters of the policy say a structured 24-hour system could spread economic activity across longer operating hours, create new work shifts and improve service delivery in sectors such as retail, logistics and transport.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about issues such as security, electricity supply and consumer purchasing power, arguing that these factors will ultimately determine whether the policy succeeds.
For now, the government has yet to release detailed implementation guidelines, leaving questions about how and when businesses will transition into round-the-clock operations.
What is clear is that the proposal has already ignited a lively political and public debate, with the country weighing whether the concept represents a bold economic reform or a policy whose success will depend heavily on Zambia’s underlying economic realities.
© The People’s Brief | Francine Lilu
His always confused
Kalaba is so empty in the head. Capacity is built on already set structures and policies. You don’t ready. You pro act young man. Learn from economists if you have them in your party. Don’t just vociferate without thinking.
You are embarrassing yourself. KK made single lane roads and not a single flyover bridge or off ramps despite seeing and using them in RSA. He had the financial and material resource capacity to do it but he ignored this important step because Zambia had 5 million people. Look where we ended up! No financial muscle, depleted and heavily privatized gypsum deposits, over built private infrastructure, weak economy etc etc.
This Kalaba boy has the same Kaunda, Chiluba, ECL, Rupiah, Mwanawasa, and Sata mentality that landed us where we are.
We need modern and economic savvy politicians who are forward looking not eaters and thieves and dull minds.
Do far only Mudolo can speak in the same wavelength with HH….not time wasters like Kalaba.
Kalaba is so empty in the head. Capacity is built on already set structures and policies. You don’t react, you plan and pro act young man. Learn from economists if you have them in your party. Don’t just vociferate without thinking.
You are embarrassing yourself. KK made single lane roads and not a single flyover bridge or off ramps despite seeing and using them in RSA. He had the financial and material resource capacity to do it but he ignored this important step because Zambia had 5 million people. Look where we ended up! No financial muscle, depleted and heavily privatized gypsum deposits, over built private infrastructure, weak economy etc etc.
This Kalaba boy has the same Kaunda, Chiluba, ECL, Rupiah, Mwanawasa, and Sata mentality that landed us where we are.
We need modern and economic savvy politicians who are forward looking not eaters and thieves and dull minds.
Do far only Mudolo can speak in the same wavelength with HH….not time wasters like Kalaba
Yes, I concur with Twalumba. When I watched Kalaba ranting on a tv program, I felt pitty for Zambians who support this little bustard
Kalaba is a consistent nay-sayer, always sayig”It CANT” where HH has eventualy shown “It CAN” Kalaba, the same 24hour economy will spar hard working and business minded Zambians to surmount those fundametal barriers you erect in your head
When I was teaching my son to grow up, I instructed him to till a virgin piece of land for a vegetable garden. My son saw and complained that it was not possible as there were boulders and rocks all over. I insisted that I should find work done,no matter what. Upon my return,I was amused to find my son had worked and tilled around the boulders and finished the hard work. Now, we eat from the same land and the boulders are covered with pumpkin leaves
Now, Kalaba, imagine if had agreed with my son that the land was useless because of the rocks and boulders.
My son learnt that life ia not a straight line. Sometimes your work around challenges, that life is seeig challenges and meeting them headon, sometimes, without thiking or questions, that life is about thinkig about the future to draw motivation and persistence
Kalaba, you are not a leader, Your negativity and tunnel vision will only lead Zambians into abject poverty
I agree with Hon Harry Kalaba’s sober views on Hakainde’s so called 24 hour Economy.
We live in times where Praise Zealots praise anything as long as it comes from Mr Hakainde Hichilema..
Sobriety is lacking in this group of people, and their unhinged praise and lack of objectivity is taking this country into the abyss.
Most of the so called Policy pronouncements Mr Hakainde Hichilema makes is just Noise… empty noise, and when you look deeper, you see how hollow
they are. One wonders what has happened to Professional Institutions like the Economic Association of Zambia, Zambia Marketers Association, Zambia Association of Manufacturers, Chambers of Commerce etc.
What really goes on in Hakainde ‘s Cabinet??
Let’s look at the facts as to the Obtaining Situation in Commerce and Industry, and across all Sectors of the economy.
1. MINING
All mining Operations are done 24/7.
There are 3 shifts, namely Day, Afternoon, Night Shifts…It has been like this from the time I was born. 24 Hour Economy!
2. MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Most of the manufacturing Companies schedule their operations on a 24 hour Working day.
– Breweries Plants – 24 hours
– Bakeries – 24 hours
– Oils, Agro Processing – 24 hours
– Drinks and Beverages – 24 hours
– Petrochemical – 24 hours
– Plastic Industry – 24 hours
– Heavy/Light Mechanical engineering Based – Schedules dependent on Customer Orders – Can be 24 Hours. Ask a student or graduate in Operations and Production Management, and they will tell you how they schedule operations.
3. ENERGY
Energy Generation – 24 hours
Fuels Sub Sector – 24 hours
3. HOSPITALITY Industries
Hotels, Lodges and Guest Houses – 24 hours
4. MEDICAL
Hospitals, Clinics etc – Mainly 24 Hours for both Private and Public
5 . TRANSPORT
Attempts were made to have public transport for 24 hours, and to allow Trucks on roads 24/7.
A lot of lives were lost due to Road Traffic Accidents.
RATSA identified the reasons for this… Poor state of the Roads, Lack of Lighting along highways, Fatigue on the part of drivers , Driving under the influence of Alcohol, etc.
It will be interesting to hear from RATSA in Hakainde ‘s Zambia, and their take on Hakainde’s 24 hour Economy.
6. RETAIL INDUSTRY
Retailers in Zambia are mainly Shop Owners, Vendors, Street Hawkers, Utusido, Utuntemba, Marketeers selling Vegetables , Tomatoes and Onion, Salaula, Fritters, Dondos, Cassava and Ground nuts…and the seasonal Roasted Maize.
If this is the Target for the 24 hour Economy, am at loss to wrap my head on the feasibility of selling Fritters at 02:00hours.
7. BANKING
The banked population is very small in Zambia. Most of the clients in Banks are just Civil Servants, and they use the Banks just as a pay point. Banks are daily collapsing every day..or being closed for lack of business.
I wonder what a 24 hour Economy will look like for Banks in Zambia.
… besides, we now have mobile Banking, 24 hour ATMs , Mobile Money which in essence is a 24hour Banking Sector. Unless may be some one wants to open a bank account at 03: 00Hours.
8. BARS and RESTAURANTS
The only business which will be extremely happy with a 24 hour Economy is the bar industry…Drunkards will be starting Drinking at 06: 00hours and sleeping in bars.. Dancing to ” Salt Saana”.
All in all, the Critical Sectors of our Economy already operate under a 24 hour Economy.
What Mr Hakainde Hichilema is saying is just noise…Him is synonymous with Propaganda. Just like he talks about free education, as if he is the one who brought it.. when Pupils from Grade 1 – 7 were not paying anything from 2011.. Primary Education has been largely free in Zambia from 1964.
Iwe ka One Hundred Fimo Fimo
Notice how shallow your arguement is. Ka Kalaba is saying 24/7 economy is not feasible, and you ka supporter says most of the critical economy is already 24/7
You try to hide your facts by using the word MOST. The mining sector, for example is not just copper mining and so are the other sectors that you think are monolithic. A 24/7 economy will enable a variety businesses and business models that will cause a chain reaction that will double the national GDP
The hospitality and tourism could even be allowed controled use of cannabis for recreational purposes, for another example. Try for once and think out of your tunnel vision
@ MuZambian
I have with facts presented that most of the Sectors in Zambia already operate on a 24hour Economy. 80% of the Contribution to GDP is done by Sectors in Zambia which already operate 24/7.
What is Mr Hakainde Hichilema trying to Pronounce as a new Policy?
Go to Intercity Bus Station, and you will find
Traders operating 24/7.
What really is Mr Hakainde Hichilema proposing? 24 hour Operations of all Markets in Zambia? This is not making sense.
Even in developed countries, it’s not in all areas where you will find 24/7 operations.
What Business Models are you looking at which will spur Zambia ‘s GDP growth, even doubling it, by opening Markets 24/7 selling Chibwabwa, Lumanda , Tomatoes, Fritters and Dondo ??
Further, a market is made up of a Seller and a Buyer.
Can you,MuZambian, in your right frame of mind , move from say Ndeke Township in Kitwe at 02:00 Hours to go and buy Chibwabwa or Lumanda at Chisokone Market? You will be lucky to come back alive with a Plastic Bag of your Lumanda!
Yes we are going towards Elections.But let our Leaders try to be reasonable. We are not fools.
Ka One Hundred Fimo Fimo
It is foolish to think that the same things you see today will always be the same forever businessea can grow organically as well as by design 24/7 economy will strive to change your mindset as a Zambian.
Ok, to make porridge for you:Most people in Zambia, including yourself sleep by. 22hrs. Suppose deliberate laws or rules makes it possible the sleeping to join the people you mentioned who are awake to do business mosty in the service sector, would the Zambian economy not register positive changes.Because business plans will cease to be just for 12hrs otherwise,you loose customers if you wait for daybreak
Lots of people in town and townships at night will even dicourage you from urinating and defecating in public places. Junkies will also disappear
Of course 24/7 economy will have its teething problems but unfortunately those are what ka kalaba is amplifying. A nay-sayer