LISWANISO LISTS UPND ACHIEVEMENTS, CHALLENGES AS PARTY CLOCKS 2 YEARS

AS UPND clocks two years in power, the party’s national youth chairman Gilbert Liswaniso has listed the successes as well as the challenges of the New Dawn government.

Appearing on Lusaka’s Pan African Radio yesterday, Liswaniso acknowledged the economic difficulties the country was facing due to the huge debts left behind by the previous regime but emphasized that positive steps had been and were still being taken to change the face of Zambia.

He says under the watch of President Hakainde Hichilema and his UPND, the country was experiencing unprecedented peace in market and public places for the first time in more than a decade.

He said peace was an an important ingredient for national development and with the recent debt restructuring deal, government had some breathing space to stabilize the economy and improve the foreign exchange rate.

He said government’s focus now lay in working on mining policies and improving agricultural practices to boost the local economy and exports.

Liswaniso also addressed the issue of escalating food prices, attributing it to the actions of cartels who sought to frustrate the government’s efforts by exporting food to neighboring countries.

However, he assured the public that the government had intensified border patrols to prevent such actions and promised that those found wanting would face the law.

He explained that government had also addressed the concerns of farmers, particularly regarding the pricing of Soya Beans.

Liswaniso said the Ministry of Agriculture was actively seeking external buyers who would purchase soya beans at a good price, with the government facilitating the entire process.

Liswaniso acknowledged that fuel price adjustments were controlled by the international market, which influenced both increases and reductions while noting that this allowed the people to plan based on international market prices.

He said government also faced challenges in the health sector but had taken steps to rectify the issues.

He also said government had cleaned up the all procurement process by removing middlemen who frustrated and overpriced medicines.

“The responsibility for drugs procument and distribution has now been vested in the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority, ensuring fair access for all hospitals across the country,” Liswaniso said.

He emphasized that education was a priority for the UPND government, which had reintroduced free education, slashed or reduced school fees, and reinstated university student meal allowances.

Further, Liswaniso said government was in the process of revisiting the school curriculum through the Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA).

Liswaniso also addressed concerns regarding labor laws, stating that the government was working on fine-tuning the existing legislation.

Additionally, Liswaniso said government had returned money to the people through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), enabling communities to plan and implement projects according to their needs and priorities which has never happened before .

Kalemba

Former Postmaster asks court to quash jail sentence

FORMER Postmaster General Macpherson Chanda and two others have pleaded with the Economic and Financial Crimes Division-High Court, to set aside the two years jail sentence passed by the lower court, contending that there was no evidence adduced to prove that they fraudulently benefited from the Social Cash Transfer funds.n July last year, Mr Chanda was jailed together with two former ZamPost directors, Mr Best Mwaichi and Mr Isaac Kamwimba, by the Ndola subordinate court under the Financial and Economic Crimes Division on 13 counts of theft by public servant involving over K300 million.

Ndola Magistrate, Kaunda Sakwanda ordered the Attorney-General to recover, on behalf of the State, the K335 million Social Cash Transfer funds, which the three unlawfully diverted.

The three challenged the conviction and sentencing in the superior court raising seven grounds of appeal.

At the hearing of the appeal held yesterday before Judges Ann Malata-Ononuju, Pixie Yangailo and Vincent Siloka, the appellants’ lawyers argued that there was no relationship between the 13 counts levelled against the trio and the evidence produced by the prosecution (State).

They argued that the State failed to prove how the ex Post Master General and the other two benefitted from the accrued interest from the principal amount which was deposited in the said fixed account.

It was further contended the record showed that there was no amount of money that had left the coffers of ZamPost into the pockets of the appellants.

Counsel Jonas Zimba contended that their clients were subjected to an unfair procedure making the proceedings a nullity.

“I wish to stress the point that there is no witness on record that established any fraudulent conduct on the part of the appellants now before you. In the absence of such an element, it is my submission that failing to prove the key element of an offence should not result in a conviction. Sitting at the centre of the offences the appellants were charged with was an element of fraudulent conduct and that element was never proved,” he submitted.

Counsel Lawrence Matibini earlier also argued there was in fact tampering of witness by the State which undermined the integrity of the trial, but surprisingly the lower court was passive about it.

He explained that a witness, legal counsel Mulao Mwaba, who was subpoenaed to testify in the case by the lower court was interviewed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officer before he did so.

But deputy chief state advocate Ms Chipanta Mwansa submitted that the superior court tampers with the sentence upwards as the 24 months simple imprisonment was inadequate.

“The appellants sat in that meeting and decided to open another fixed deposit account where the Social Cash Transfer funds could go and earn interest before disbursement. It showed the intention to deprive the beneficiaries of that fund as they made profit out of that which was not in the interest of the public,” she said.

She argued that the indictment gave sufficient reasons as to the nature of the charge and the three took plea with legal representation and were convicted, therefore it was too late in the day to challenge it.

The court reserved judgement in the matter to November 1, 2023.

UPND MUST TAKE A SOBER REFLECTION

…. as it clocks two years in office and how it has performed more especially in the mining sector

Lusaka… Saturday August 12, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)

As the UPND clocks two years in office today, they should take a sober reflection on how they have performed in addressing national issues more especially in the mining sector, charges Zambia for Unity Peace and Development President Ronnie Jere.

Mr. Jere says as the party in power celebrates some of their achievements in areas such as education, social programmes, they should also take time to reflect on how they have faired in resolving challenges in the mining sector.

Mr. Jere says in the coming few months, the UPND must focus on addressing challenges that are hindering the growth of the mining sector that is at the center of national growth.

“All of us are aware that the mainstay of our economy is mining sector. And so, we should be seen channeling our energy in addressing challenges in this industry. Therefore, as the UPND clocks two years in office today, they should sit down ad take a sober reflection on their performance more especially in the mining sector. They should be able to identify areas they should focus on going forward,” charged Mr. Jere.

“We expect nothing less than progressive ideas concerning our natural resources. We have key mining firms that are limping which if they were productive, we could have earned something as a nation. Our humble appeal to President Hakainde Hichilema is that please address the challenges at Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines on the Copperbelt. Stakeholders have voiced out enough on the need to revamp this important sector, now is the time to see results.”

He said the same energy the UPND government has exhibited in implementing programmes such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF), is the same energy they should show in revamping the mining industry. The same energy they exerted in making sure that our debt was restructured is the same effort we want to see in the mining sector.

“We are failing to understand why this important sector should be neglected in this manner when it should be in the driving seat in economic development. We should draw lessons from other countries that are also blessed with mineral resources and how they are taking advantage of them to develop their countries. We have been mining for many years and by now, we should understand the value of these resources and how we could use them to our advantage. This is the sector that can transform our country hence the need to deal with all the loopholes in the sector,” he concluded.

IT’S NOT GOVERNMENT’S WISH TO SEE STRUCTURES GET DEMOLISHED – PRESIDENT HICHILEMA

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and other stakeholders to help in establishing settlements that have all functionaries as opposed to demolishing such as is the current situation.

President Hichilema said it was not the government’s wish to see structures put up on land without proper regulation and then later on get destroyed.

The President wondered how the country cannot experience disasters where floods affect areas in unplanned settlements and areas not suitable for human habitation.
“The rule of law must always be held. Let us improve unplanned settlements and put up infrastructure. If there is a need to compensate some affected families let us do so,” the President stated.

The President who officiated at the 8th National Planners Conference organised by the Zambia Institute of Planners called for consolidation of skills among planners in order to respond to the current challenges.

“I am asking you as planners to consolidate plans and not work in isolation. You will fail if you narrow yourself,” said President Hichilema.

The Head of State urged the institute to grow the organisation and come up with holistic plans which the government is ready to support.

“Let us integrate plans which are rational and consolidated. We must not do things in a lazy way, “he pointed out.

Mr Hichilema reminded the meeting that his administration wants to inculcate a culture of planning that was encompassing.

The President stated that with the availability of increased resources such as the Constituency Development Fund, there must be efficiency and effectiveness in approaching development.

The Head of State also called on the planners to work with the government in combating corruption at every level.

He further urged them to uphold professionalism so that the institute contributes to the development of the country.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo thanked the President for gracing the occasion saying he was the first Head of State to attend the institute’s conference.

Mr Nkombo said that the presence of the President underscores government’s commitment to working with everyone in bringing development.

He pointed out that planning was a very important process which no government cannot do without if it is to succeed.
The Minister also reiterated his resolve to uphold the law in ensuring that there was sanity in the country.

And Zambia Institute of Planners President, Busiku Sulwe appealed to the President to set up an office of the special advisor to the president on planning if development is to be enhanced.

He said this will help the Government in scrutinizing plans and ensure they correspond in achieving the country’s development objectives.

Mr Sulwe said uncoordinated planning in the past has resulted in poor development in the country.

He said integrated planning was the main solution to unlock development.

Mr Sulwe stated that despite the country having a number of planners, many of them worked in isolation.

President Hichilema was in Livingstone today where he officiated at the National Planners Conference whose theme is “Unlocking barriers to social economic development” at Radisson Blu Hotel.

Zanis

Chiyeso Lungu U-turns on having her graft case dismissed for irregularity

FORMER president Edgar Lungu’s daughter Chiyeso has now backtracked on her request to the Economic and Financial Crimes Court, to have her ‘corruption’ case dismissed on a technicality.

Lungu’s daughter informed the Court that she will wait on the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to serve her the notice of motion so that she can fight it out with the State and prevent it from depriving her of her possessions.

Chiyeso asked Court to throw out the case in which the State wants to grab her properties worth K9.3 million on suspicion that they were amassed through graft.

She said the Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has instituted an action against her yet he fas failed to serve her the court documents.

In her affidavit in support of summons to set aside proceedings for irregularity Chiyeso stated that she is ignorant about the reliefs sought by the State because she has not been served the originating notice of motion relating to her ‘graft’ case.

But in an affidavit in support of summons to set aside proceedings for irregularity, Emmanuel Khondowe a senior investigations officer at the Drug Enforcement Commission said when effecting service of the Court documents he notified Chiyeso about the nature of the application to alert her so that she can prepare defense.

He said there was no neglect to serve the notice of motion.

Khondowe said Chiyeso was was fully aware of the law suit and equipped to offer a valid response.

When the matter came up for a status conference the Court indicated that it could not endorse Chiyeso’s summons as the particulars of the notice contained issues to do with a similar case involving her brother Dalitso.

According to the documents the parties in the summons indicated the State and Chiyeso but the particulars of the same indicated Dalitso and his company.

Chiyeso’s lawyer indicated that the former plot one baby had a change of heart in having litigation ended on a technicality.

She said she is eager to take on the State and prove that her two farms with a high-cost house, four chicken runs, Crest lodge and three flats in Lusaka’s State Lodge area, worth K9, 375, 438.62, which was acquired between 2013 and 2021, were not amassed through grand corruption when her father served as the republic’s sixth president.

In this case the DPP has moved a motion of a non conviction based forfeiture order in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court seeking a relief that Chiyeso’s property be forfeited to the State.

Khondowe on behalf of the DPP argued that the former president’s daughter has assets that are disproportionate to her income neither did she have viable sources of income.

By Mwaka Ndawa

Kalemba

HICHILEMA HAD NO PLAN TO FIX ZAMBIA, IT WAS ALL RHETORIC

What’s the problem with KCM and Mopani? What’s troubling Mr Hichilema’s government?

We would like to remind them that the delayed capitalisation of the two mining operations has been and is too painful for Zambia, especially for the residents of the Copperbelt Province. Statements to the effect that the delay is “because the government wants to safeguard the interests of Zambians” are hollow and deceitful because it is clear that Mr Hichilema and the UPND had no plan to “fix” any challenges Zambia was facing before they were elected, and now the problems have grown bigger.

On KCM, the trouble is that Vedanta has spent money and promised to be given back the mine based on agreed terms, including some Key Performance Indicators that Mr Hichilema’s government has included in the draft agreement.

The Key Performance Indicators include the following:

1. An investment of more than $1 billion to develop KDMP;
2. Salary and wage increments for KCM staff;
3. Assume and pay-off debts owing to suppliers and contractors to KCM. These will be mainly debts incurred by the Provisional Liquidator and may be upwards of $300 million, excluding the electricity bill.

Should the Key Performance Indicators not be met, Vedanta will be compelled to offer its shares in KCM to ZCCM IH at a price. It would appear it is the asking price from Vedanta that might now be delaying the conclusion of the deal.

Vedanta is asking for upwards of $2.75 billion should the government invoke the Article to takeover the mines if Vedanta fails to attain certain Key Performance Indicators. It is incomprehensible that such an Article would even be considered because one wonders what safeguard measures have been put in place to safeguard GRZ/ZCCM IH/ and the people of Zambia, who are the ultimate beneficial shareholders in ZCCM IH, from Vedanta should Vedanta deliberately underperform so that ZCCM IH triggers the Articles for the Vedanta shares to be sold to ZCCM IH in the name of not meeting KPIs for Vedanta to automatically be owed $2.75 billion by ZCCM IH.

Should this information we have be true, then this imminent deal between Mr Hichilema’s government will surpass the Lungu government’s $1.5 billion deal with Glencore over Mopani.

Noticeably, there is something fishy about this deal and it can only be because Vedanta may have parted with some money to allow for such a bad deal against Zambians to be tabled for finalisation.

It cannot be wrong to assume that this deal might have an upside for some government officials pulling strings to make it happen. Your guess is as good as mine as to what level such deals are given the go-ahead.

As for Mopani Copper Mine, it appears that after almost concluding with a Chinese group, the government has reopened the bid process by allowing a possible last-minute entry to be considered for its acquisition.

Whatever the reasons, it is now two years since Mr Hichilema was elected into office to manage Zambia with the promise that “Bally will fix it”. It appears Mr Hichilema either underestimated the challenges Zambia is and has been facing, or that may be “Bally” had no plan even after being given 16 years to prepare for the job.

Fred M’membe
President of Socialist Party

By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba

Corporate Governance Under atrack

Board Members are usually persons of high caliber professionals with requisite industry and corporate experience, and are distinguished non-partisan persons with personal good record and help bring supervisory role to Chief Executive Officers and their management and staff.

President Hakainde Hichilema didn’t take the above as necessary consideration when he proceeded to dissolve and flush out all boards of state-owned enterprises and state agencies as soon as he assumed power.

He could be forgiven as he was expected to put up his own teams.

The previous members were deemed or accused of being members of the Patriotic Front.

It is therefore interesting that those he since appointed are now being fired or are resigning just a few months into their roles.

I can guarantee you that there is probably nothing wrong with the board members.

It’s with the President who is usually reported to interfere, meddle, encroaches, undermines, micro-manages and ignores reporting structure and corporate hierachy in the name of attempting to bring efficiency.

Just note the Energy meeting he personally hosts especially with investors, probably meetings that should be done or held by his boards or CEOs at the Ministry of Energy, or ZDA, IDC, or ERB, or ZESCO, or REA and others.

It is no wonder that there has been dismissals or resignations in such a short period.

Those that recently resigned or fired include;

1. Perry Mapani-CEO-IDC.
2. Arthur Ndhlovu -IDC.
3. Nitesh Patel-IDC
4. Dolika Banda-ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson.
5. Jack Kalala -ZNBC Board Chairperson ( ratified by Parliament).
6. Brenda Likonge Makai Mulenga -Rural Electrification Authority( REA) Board Chairperson.

Clearly this is a worrying trend.
We must ensure that we provide for statutory security of tenure and insulate such members from executive embarrassment if we are to secure the investment and roles that agencies and state-owned enterprises play in the growth of our economy.

Contact: UPND Media Director, Ruth Dante 0976503165/ 0975704808

Email: info@upndzambia.org

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

DIFFERENTIATE MATTERS OF MANAGING AN ECONOMY AND ENFORCING RULE OF LAW – DANTE

Lusaka (10.08.2023) The suggestion made by Mr. Emmanuel Mwamba that President Hichilema should arrest the economy rather than the opposition leaders raises significant issues that demand careful consideration. This is so because managing an economy is not equal to maintaining the rule of law.

It’s a pity that, Mr Mwamba whose political party led to economic predicament, faced today wants to use every opportunity to vent his bitterness of the loss of 2021 general elections on President Hakainde Hichilema by combining two different issues dealt by separate institutions.

While it is reasonable that people may have different opinions on how to handle economic difficulties, The task of managing an economy can still not be compared to that of maintaining the rule of law through law enforcement.

It is crucial to understand that the economy is a complex system affected by many local and international elements, including long-lasting policies and foreign market dynamics. Making the transition from a difficult economic condition to a road of recovery takes serious leadership, consideration, commitment and teamwork.

Additionally, the claim that the President should “arrest the economy” may ignore the crucial responsibilities played by policymakers, economists, and international financial institutions in coordinating economic growth and change. Even if President Hichilema’s administration is actively tackling economic concerns, their complexity prevents them from being reduced to a single course of action.

It’s critical to distinguish between issues involving economic management and law enforcement. The President’s duties include managing the country, formulate right policies and engage other stakeholders to direct the nation’s economic recovery.While the Law enforcement agencies are responsible of upholding the rule of law.

We as members are happy that, President Hichilema and his government have so far made progress on recovering the economy by facing it head on and are now working towards reducing the cost of living.

Mr M’membe’s recent detention for words that could instigate unrest as noted by police highlights a thin line between freedom of expression and societal cohesion.

In conclusion, any administration has various issues to deal with but as a leader, the President is committed to addressing economic problems through wise and calculated policy choices, with law enforcement agencies maintaining the rule of law

Credit: UPND MEDIA TEAM

IG Musamba a mere cadre doing his master’s bidding, charges Makebi

Lusaka lawyer Makebi Zulu has described Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba as a political cadre inserting himself in political matters to the service of his masters.

Speaking with Daily Revelation on the arrest of Socialist Party (SP) leader Dr Fred M’membe, Zulu, who started his response by jokingly asking if he could first send a bill for offering his legal opinion to buy a meda of mealie given the very high cost of living as “things are hard in the new dawn”, told Musamba to sober up as he is now playing politics.

“I hope he sobers up and knows that his job is to serve and protect the citizens. And serving the citizens and protecting the citizens also means protecting the personal whims from our leaders. He can’t say you go and arrest that one and he gets up to go and arrest. He must be able to protect citizens,” Zulu said, adding that Musamba does not necessarily have to agree with citizens but it’s his job to protect them.

He said one may not agree with what Dr M’membe said, but he has the right to say what he said.

“He has a right to say it in whatever context he said it, he has a right to say whatever opinion and views he holds. So this offence of wanting to arrest someone for having a contrary view or a view that endangers your stay in power is unconstitutional to say the least. So he must be able to express himself freely, and he must be able to stomach the view whether you like it or not,” Zulu said. “So if he’s going to liken it to the issue in Niger or anything, that is not the basis of it all. The basis is saying that okay, the mealie meal prices have gone up. You said we were going to be buying at K50. All these things you have failed to govern. In the event that you have failed to govern, what should happen? Obviously, it’s clear to tell that it is in M’membe’s best interest that we have… http://dailyrevelationzambia.com/ig-musamba-a-mere-cadre-doing-his-masters-bidding-charges-makebi/

GOV’T EMPOWERS CHAVUMA YOUTHS.

August 10, 2023

Chavuma: Minister of Youth, Sport, and Arts Elvis Nkandu has empowered over 200 youths with loans, while 10 others have been boosted with 10 motorbikes in the Chavuma district of North Western Province.

Mr Nkandu said it was with great honour to hand over empowerment of such magnitude to youths who have shown interest in venturing into different businesses in the province.

He charged that unemployment remains a huge concern for youth across the country.

Mr Nkandu, who is also a Kaputa Member of Parliament, said high levels of unemployment signified the government’s huge task of providing for a highly dependent population, adding that it was vital to accelerate interventions aimed at supporting the youth.

He further added that the New Dawn government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, was cognizant of the pivotal role played by young people in national development.

“I would want to assure you, our youths of Chavuma, that the UPND Government has prioritized the need to harness the potential of our youthful population towards Economic development. This is the reason why I have come to empower you so that you help the government achieve the economic transformation agenda,” said Nkandu.

The lawmaker said the government remains committed to creating opportunities for jobs and wealth, especially for youth in high-yielding sectors, through various youth empowerment initiatives.

Falcon News Reports that Mr Nkandu was speaking during a handover of motorcycles, loans, and jerseys to successful youth beneficiaries in the Chavuma district of North Western Province.

Speaking at the same event, Chavuma district commissioner Geoffrey Kasonda hailed the government for empowering Chavuma youths.

Mr Kasonda said the gesture has come at the right time when the country is suffering unemployment setbacks, adding that the empowerment will help a lot of families in the district.

The District Commissioner has challenged loan beneficiaries to prudently utilize the given empowerments so that they yield the intended results.

(C)THE FALCON

HH’S SILENCE ON KCM, MOPANI WORRIES CSO LEADER

… President HH should unlock the mining sector without any further delay, says Samuel Banda

Lusaka… Thursday August 10, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)

The silence from President Hakainde Hichilema over the future of Konkola Copper Mine and Mopani Copper Mine is worrying, says Advocates for National Development and Democracy Executive Director Samuel Banda.

Mr. Banda notes that despite the failure by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Hon Paul Kabuswe to revamp the mining sector, the Head of State has kept quit and failing to give direction on the future of the two mining firms.

Mr. Banda has demanded that President Hichilema should promptly handover KCM back to Vedanta Resources who are the legal owners in order to increase economic activities on the Copperbelt.

He further notes that any further delay may result in a worse situation as the poverty levels on the Copperbelt are increasing sharply.

“President Hakainde Hichilema should address and update the nation on the two status of KCM and Mopani mines. We are appealing to him (President Hichilema) in the interest of revamping the mining sector, he should update the nation and tell us how far the negotiations have reached with Vedanta Resources regarding KCM. And he should also update us on when exactly he will engage an investor to operate Mopani mine. Even as his government is engaging the investors to run our mines, President Hichilema should prioritize the interest of Zambians,” he said.

“It is clear that his Minister of Mines, following several disappointments regarding the official announcement as in when government will handover KCM back to Vedanta Resources, his Minister has disappointed us. It is clear that his minister is not in a position to revamp the mining sector and to successfully engage investors. Therefore, President Hichilema being the head of state and considering what he promised the people of Zambia that he will revamp the mining sector, he should honor his promise and engage investors as soon as possible. The non functionality of these two mines, they have continued to impact our economy negatively.”

Mr. Banda stated that government should also ensure that local contractors and suppliers are prioritized when it comes to business.

“The people of the Copperbelt depend on mining as their mainstay business. Students are looking up to the mines for school scholarships, suppliers, contractors are looking up to the mind for business opportunities. As this continued delay by the government is inflicting poverty on the people the Copperbelt and the people of Zambia. Today our national currency is not stable because we are not exporting Copper at a huge volume because of the non – functionality of these two mines,” he added.

“We are worried that his government may not even achieve the three million metric tones copper production target by 2031 which his government set because of the continued delay to unlock in KCM and Mopani Copper Mine. Therefore, we are demanding that President Hichilema should promptly handover KCM back to Vedanta Resources who are the legal owners of the mine because they are the major shareholder as they hold 80%. Otherwise, this delay is not just affecting the Copperbelt economy but is also affecting our economy.”

He said stakeholders do not expect any further delay to handover KCM back to Vedanta and subsequently finding a partner to run Mopani Copper Mine.

ISRAEL BUSINESS FORUM GENERATES US$800 MILLION DEALS

… key sectors that generated the deals included among others agriculture, energy, technology and innovation, and financial services

Lusaka, 9th August 2023

The Israel – Zambia Business Forum recently organised by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem, has generated deals worth over US$800 million.

The forum was held on the side lines of the State visit by His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema President of the Republic of Zambia.

Over 100 Israeli high tech companies in innovation, energy, financial services and agritech participated in the Business Forum together with their Zambian counterparts from agriculture, construction, financial services and innovation.

Key sectors that generated the deals included among others the agriculture, energy, technology and innovation, and financial services.

Specifically the deals included the following:

• USD 5 Million- investment of Technology Incubator in Zambia
• USD 50 Million-Investment of a deposit-taking financial Institution in Zambia
• USD 645 Million investment into trade credit insurance and project guarantees
• USD 100 Million investment of 71 Mega Watt Solar and wind energy plant

During the forum, a number of Israeli companies were impressed with the investment environment in Zambia and committed to partner with the Zambian companies on agriculture technology and innovation to increase productivity on crop yields for maize, wheat, avocados and mangos.

In this regard the Zambia Development Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Israel, Export Institution of Israel and the Israel Chambers of Commerce agreed to host a Business Forum in Zambia to actualise partnerships and joint ventures with Zambian companies.

Speaking at the forum, His Excellency Mr Hichilema announced visa waiver for Israeli nationals coming into Zambia to fast track promotion and facilitation of investments from Israel into Zambia.

Israel ranks among the top three countries in the world in innovation with per capita income of USD 54,000.00 and therefore Zambia will greatly benefit from the Israel success and breakthrough in the space of innovation particularly technology and agriculture.

The business forum was held on 02nd August, 2023 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Issued by
Mr. Albert Halwampa
Director General
Zambia Development Agency.