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Companies

First National Bank Zambia Limited – FNB has announced the appointment of Bydon Longwe as a new Chief Executive Officer to take over from Leonard Haynes who has served in the position for the last four years.

FNB Chairman Renatus Mushinge announced the appointment of Bydon Longwe as CEO designate for FNB Zambia and that will take over the reins as CEO effective 13 July 2020.

Commenting on Longwe’s appointment Renatus Mushinge said the Bank is thrilled to announce Bydon Longwe as incoming CEO of FNB Zambia with great confidence in the depth of talent and management experience in the banks’ business, which allowed the board to replace Leonard from within the Executive team.

FNB has confirmed the appointment to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on May 12, 2020 that this appointment also marks another milestone in the 11-year history of the bank to have a Zambian citizen as an incoming CEO.

“We are confident that his leadership capabilities, coupled with his astute and prudent financial management expertise, will enable the Bank to build on the successes recorded to date.” Mushinge said

Longwe has over twenty (20) years of financial services experience which spans across the South African Region (including: Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique). Prior to this appointment, he was the Chief Financial Officer of FNBZ, in charge of the Bank’s overall finance portfolio.

He is the holder of an MBA (Herriot Watt University) and a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (UK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), Association of Corporate Treasurers (UK) and the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (Zambia).

“I am privileged to be afforded this opportunity to lead the business toward even more success on the back of the robust legacy built by my predecessors. I have inherited a gifted team of executives and staff at FNB Zambia, whose expertise and commitment to delivering innovative products and excellent service I am confident of.

I also welcome the opportunity to make even greater contributions toward the growth of the Financial Services sector in Zambia,” Longwe commented.

“It gives me great pleasure to express my earnest congratulations to Bydon on his appointment as CEO. He is a respected leader within the business, and I look forward to Bydon leveraging his wealth of experience as Chief Financial Officer, which I believe will be instrumental to his leadership artillery, as we navigate this challenging economic period.

In the same token, I would like to thank Leonard for his service as CEO and his tangible contribution to FNB Zambia. Bydon, I wish you good luck in cementing our position as a relevant, profitable bank in Zambia,” added Johan Maree, CEO FNB Rest of Africa.

The FNB board has since wished Leonard the very best on his return to the FirstRand Banking Group in Johannesburg and has thanked him for his invaluable contribution towards the growth of FNB Zambia over the last four years.

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First National Bank Zambia Limited – FNB

Mining

The total Copper production at Konkola Copper Mines – KCM two Mines located at Nchanga in Chingola and Konkola at Chililabombwe has dropped by about 24%.

Permanent secretary at the Ministry of Mines Barnaby Mulenga has disclosed that there has been a reduction in production at Konkola Copper Mines – KCM following its pending liquidation process with Vedanta.

Mulenga said the company has not been operating on a full scale capacity as normal production which includes underground mining has not been resumed hence affecting its production volumes.

He told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview on May 8, 2020, that KCM had in the first of quarter [Q1] of 2020 produced a total of 15,715 tonnes of copper compared to 20,596 produced in the first quarter of the previous year 2019 attributing the decrease to the current incomplete operations at the mines.

“Production at KCM has gone down because the company is still under the liquation process. In January KCM produced 5,406 tons, February production was 4,496 tons and 5,800 tons in March 2020 while April reports have not yet been submitted. All these figures have recorded reductions and once production gets back to normal things will stabilize again,” he told ZBT.

He added that the Konkola deep mining project is also pending and once full operations resume the company is expected to starting mining ore at Konkola deep.

Concerning the remitting back of export proceeds which the former owners Vedanta were accused of not doing, Mulenga said export proceeds under the current liquidation team will be remitted back to Zambia to enable KCM properly run its operations and pay salaries to its workers.

When asked for the current update on the case with Vedanta, Mulenga could not share more information stating that the matter is still in court hence awaits final update.

Meanwhile, commenting on the current economic challenges and the threat of Covid -19, Mulenga said the mining sector has not been spared from effects of the pandemic as seen from some mining companies who are reviewing their production level for the year 2020.

He said Zambia being a player on global market is among the affected countries due to lock downs in some countries, hence government has put in place measures to enable the mining sector mitigate the negative impacts being faced amidst covid – 19.

“We do not know how long this [covid 19 pandemic] will take and some companies have complained to us on how they are even failing to get supplies, however we are in discussions with the ministry of commerce on the matter to ensure the private sector is given a lift and that we support them in this crisis,” He added.

The government of Zambia through its mining investments arm, ZCCM IH instituted liquidation action that saw Indian firm, Vedanta lose its ownership of KCM. Vedanta, who had claimed that they had never made any profits in over 15 years of their operating the two mines however turned back and are currently legally contesting the loss of their ownership stake.

The move to liquidate KCM and get rid of Vedanta was welcomed by local mine suppliers, employees and the powerful mine workers union who accused the Indian owners of failing to run the copper mines.

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The total Copper production at Konkola Copper

Agribusiness

The concept of driving Agribusiness in Zambia via the concept of establishing farming blocks may seem rosy on paper and viable academically, but the practical aspect of attracting a credible private sector anchor investor to drive the Agro processing and connection to global Agro value chain has its own special challenges.

Agriculture Minister Michael Katambo has disclosed that the 110,000 hectare Nansanga farm block located in Serenje District of Central province has to date not been able to secure any viable anchor farm investor as the Zambia development Agency – ZDA is still scouting around for a core investor to drive the core activities in the farming block.

The Agro minister told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview on May 8, 2020, that the Zambia National Correctional Service under the Home Affairs Ministry is currently doing farming activities with 9 Centre pivots but that an anchor investor for major activities has not yet been found.

He said government notes the delay in finding an investor for the land but that no potential or viable applicant or investor has shown interest yet, hence the government is still looking around to find one to manage and become the core venture and drive the farming processes.

When asked about which farming and processing activities are targeted to take place at the Nansanga farm block, Katambo said details of the processing activities will be availed once an anchor investor is found. It’s the anchor investor who will lay down the type of Agro investment to venture into at the core or the main farm.

Katambo further confirmed that roads or other support infrastructure has not been set up yet because these are activities to be planned by the anchor investor. Our plan is to develop the area and the anchor operators should ensure all the facilities at the farm block are put in place and these include infrastructure as well as the decision on what types of farming activities to take place such as perishable vegetables or other Agro activities,” He told ZBT.

The Agro minister has since called for experienced citizens with the capacity to manage the farm block to make their submissions to the Ministry of Agriculture, stating that farm blocks are key in enhancing national food security and enables the country to grow more, become self-reliant and export to earn the country the much needed foreign exchange.

He said farm blocks could also enable the country become the next big exporter of multiple agricultural products, hence he urged Zambian farmers to venture into all categories of farming at both small, medium and commercial scale in order to increase production.

Zambia has had plans to set up at least one productive farm block in each of the ten provinces. Nansanga farm block is part of governments programme to open up viable farm land in various parts of the country to be involved in not only primary production, but connect the local farmers who would become out-growers to the lucrative global Agro commodities value chain.

One of Zambia’s most successful farm blocks with an active out-grower program for local farmers is Illovos Zambia Sugar, located at Mazabuka in Southern Province. It’s has resulted in Zambia being self sufficient in Sugar and sugar related products, and is able to bring in notable export dollars into the copper dominated economy.

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The concept of driving Agribusiness in Zambia

Agribusiness, Lifestyle

Zambia’s staple food, mealie meal (corn meal) prices have dropped by about K15 despite the overall cost of living going up, this is according to the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection – JCTR’s Basis Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) data.

JCTR has stated that the effects of COVID – 19 on the health sector and the economy at large cannot be over emphasized as the cost of living for many Zambians has continued to go up with many responding that they are failing to meet their basic needs.

According to JCTR’s Basis Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) which is a measure of the monthly cost of living for a family of 5 and conducted in 16 towns, the April 2020 basket stood at K7,159 for Lusaka with an increase of 2 percent or by K145 from K7, 015 in March 2020.

The noted slight increase in the food basket cost has been attributed to increases in food items prices such as fruits, which increased by K66 from K365 to K426, Kapenta which increased by K58, up from K164 to K221 and onion which increased by about K21 from K59 to K80.

Other items such as chicken, vegetables, soya pieces and beans price increases were between K10 and K16. Some items from the non-food essential items also recorded price increases. Charcoal price increased by K14 from K344 to K358, washing paste increased by K6 from K49 to K55 and while toilet paper moved by K6 from K23 to about K29.

JCTR’s Programme Manager for Social and Economic Development Chama Bowa said in a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on May 8, 2020 that the basket also recorded decreases in the prices of items such as tomatoes which reduced by K25 moving from K91 to K66, potatoes which reduced by K19 down from K49 to K30 and mealie meal which reduced by K29 from K279 to 251 for two (2) 25kg bags.

She added that for the April 2020 basket, a considerable number of both food and non-food essential items recorded price increases and that this comes at the backdrop of current income challenges due to job losses and reduced incomes in the wake of COVID-19.

JCTR has since called on Government to take urgent measures to cushion households that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 adding that with the projected close to 20% loss in revenue, Government faces significant challenges ahead therefore the need to put in place measures to especially protect the poor and vulnerable.

“We recommend that Government through its relevant agencies develops a clear roadmap and budget for “victims” of COVID-19 similar to the one being used for households hit by the 2020 floods. For example, vulnerable homes whose livelihoods depend on hand to mouth small scale businesses, may have been badly hit by the pandemic as their business activities have now reached their lowest ebb due to, among others, the stay at home preventive measure,” She added.

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Zambia’s staple food, mealie meal (corn meal)

Lifestyle

The University of Zambia (UNZA) Acting Dean in the School of Health Sciences Dr. Sody Munsaka has been appointed to the World Health Organization (WHO) board of experts that will develop guidelines and ethics consideration for issuing of immunity passports in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Musanka joins a team of scientists involved in antibody testing that will be used as a measure to give people an immunity passport to move across borders.

Dr. Munsaka who is also a Lecturer and Researcher in Immunology, Virology, Molecular Biology, Research Methods and Biostatistics in the School of Health Science is the only African board member among the 10 member scientists from the United States, Europe and Asian region.

He sits on a number of national committees that include the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and Higher Education Authority (HEA). Dr. Munsaka’s research interests include patho-immune mechanisms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and interactions with drug abuse and other infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis.

According to a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times- ZBT by UNZA Head of Communications Dr. Brenda Bukowa, Dr. Munsaka is a Neuroimmune and Infectious Diseases Scientist at the University of Zambia School of Health Sciences. He holds a Master’s and PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences-Tropical medicine from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

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The University of Zambia (UNZA) Acting Dean

Companies

TopStar has launched StarTimes GO, an integrated e-shopping platform of premium selections only, offering access to no-contact e-shopping experience with special offers and fast home delivery.

StarTimes provides multiple interactive e-shopping methods featuring the “TOP” shopping experience, through the integrated services available via TV, Online and Phone-call. The newly born e-shopping service will cover the whole Zambia.

With the slogan “Better Life, Let’s GO”, StarTimes GO frequently displays smart products such as TV sets, solar power systems and decoders, and the category will be expanded gradually.

The hosts of the programme of the same name, which will be on air on Diamond TV, Power TV and ABN channels will explain the feature, quality and usage of each product thus the audience shall know the specific information without risky physical contact (#covid 19) with the salesperson.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Topstar has indicated that aside from the safety considerations, it is possible for the customer to select affordable products available such as a decoder, solar power system and a TV set.

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TopStar has launched StarTimes GO, an integrated

Mining

Mine Workers’ Union of Zambia – MUZ President Joseph Chewe has commended the decision by Mopani Copper Mines – MCM and its holding company Glencore for its decision to resume operations while it continues to engage with government on potential solutions to its current challenges.

MCM has indicated in a statement released on May 3, 2020 by its Public Relations Manager Nebert Mulenga that the company is to re-start operations and issue a notice of its intention to place the mining operations on care and maintenance after 90 days.

And when reached out for further information as to when Mopani will exactly resume operations, Mulenga told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview on May 5, 2020 that the company has already started calling back employees to work provided they go through a health induction before operations fully begin but he did not clearly indicate the date that operations will fully resume.

“We started calling back employees on Monday and we have so far had an overwhelming turnout of over 80% and we are hoping to have over 100% turnout tomorrow then later fully resume operations,” He added.

Meanwhile, in a different exclusive interview, MUZ president Joseph Chewe has disclosed to ZBT that the company is set to resume full operations on May 6, 2020 as they give a notice to put the mines on care and maintenance.

Mopani Copper Mine was last month abruptly placed under care and maintenance by its parent company Glencore which resulted to sending over 11, 000 workers on force leave. This decision was however disapproved by government and Mopani had since rescinded its decision to put its copper mines under care and maintenance.

Chewe said putting the company under care and maintained is not a wrong decision provided the law is follow hence Mopani’s rejection by government was due to it not following the law and not involving the union in its early decisions to give room for interrogations.

“Mopani has the right to put the mines under care and maintainance provided they follow the law which requires them the give notice to government and the unions so that interrogations as to why this decision has been made are done,” He added.

Chewe has also assured mine workers that while dialogue between Mopani and Government is ongoing, the union will ensure no jobs will be lost as it will further meet with Mopani to discuss the way forward.

The Zambian authorities have challenged Glencore to hand back the license if they are not willing to arrive at a win win situation. Mopani is the anchor company of two major towns in Zambia, these are the city of Kitwe which is Zambias second largest city by population and the mining town of Mufulira were the Mopani has its underground mines.

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Mine Workers’ Union of Zambia – MUZ

Tech

Liquid Telecom Zambia has installed free Wi-Fi at Covid-19 quarantine centres to help patients stay in touch with friends and family while also enabling healthcare workers to share vital information and data without delay.

The company is supporting the Ministry of Health with free internet connectivity at COVID-19 quarantine centres.

Speaking as the company made a symbolic handover of equipment to the Ministry of Health last week, Mark Townsend, CEO, Liquid Telecom Zambia commended the government in its fight against the COVID-19 virus.

As a result of COVID-19, fast, reliable and accessible internet is now more critical than ever, especially amongst frontline workers who can now use digital collaboration tools across Liquid Telecom’s free WiFi to share and access vital data.

In a press release made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on May 04, 2020 Townsend said the gesture is about supporting those who are in quarantine with wireless connectivity for internet calling and entertainment.

“Our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by the virus, especially the patients and healthcare workers at each of the COVID-19 quarantine centres. By connecting the quarantine centres with free WiFi, patients and healthcare workers can stay in touch with friends and family by connecting their smart devices to the free WiFi for voice, video calls, messaging and entertainment. We hope that Liquid Telecom’s free connectivity will go a long way to help to reduce the feeling of anxiety and isolation amongst patients, but also the staff treating them who can now exchange vital information and data more easily across our network,” he added.

Meanwhule, Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya thanked Liquid Telecom for its support and said: “For us to ensure we manage the war against COVID-19, one key fundamental is data management.

With a spike in internet usage in the past weeks owing to the partial lockdown that has forced many Zambians to work remotely, Liquid Telecom Zambia has adapted to further enhance its reliability and connectivity, Mr Townsend added.

He encouraged Zambians to follow health guidelines from government of social distancing and staying home and urged customers to take advantage of Liquid Telecom’s online self-service tools in the wake of COVID-19.

Liquid Telecom’s free access to Netflix is also available with Liquid Telecom’s Fibre and Data on the Go packages for home and enterprise consumers. Fibre and Data on the go are consumer products.

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Liquid Telecom Zambia has installed free Wi-Fi

Mining

First Quantum Minerals – FQM has cut its capital expenditure and reduced operating costs for 2020 as it braces itself for the impact of the COVID-19 on the mining sector.

The virus has brought unprecedented challenges to communities, industries and the global economy, and that First Quantum’s priority is the health and safety of its employees and communities, said the company in its financial results statement for the first quarter of 2020.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to communities, industries and the global economy. Our priority continues to be the health and safety of all of our employees and the communities where we work,” said Philip Pascall, FQM’s Chairman and CEO.

He added that the company is managing the restrictions and protocols implemented in Zambia and in each country where it operates, to help protect all, particularly those most vulnerable

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, FQM Director Philip Pascall explained that the reduction in capital expenditure included moving construction work on the fourth crusher at its Sentinel mine in Kalumbila into 2021 and deferring development project capital expenditure and some process improvement and sustaining maintenance program at operations.

He said that underlying sustaining capital expenditure was expected to be approximately $200 million in 2020, adding that supported by the mining firm’s banking group, the company had improved its flexibility and liquidity, and would continue to make the changes necessary to deal with the global crisis.

However, despite Sentinel achieving record throughput in the first quarter of 2020, copper production was down 2% compared with 2019 due to lower grade and recovery.

“Kansanshi achieved higher copper production for the quarter compared to 2019. However, Kansanshi smelter processed 329,946 dry metric tonnes of copper concentrate, produced 80,280 tonnes of copper anode and 315,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid,” he continued.

The mining firm has also revealed that with the closure of the South African and Zimbabwean borders, the export of the company’s copper from Zambia was currently being managed through alternative routes,” He added.

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First Quantum Minerals - FQM has cut

Tech

The University of Zambia – UNZA has locally designed and developed a “Walk-Through” body sanitizer in response to its mandate of providing intellectual and practical services aimed at generating interventions that support the national COVID-19 contingency emergency plans.

The University through the Technology Development and Advisory Unit (TDAU), has embarked on an ambitious project to develop the Body Sanitizer that is built as a full body sanitization mechanism, utilising the misting technology under a high pressurized liquid/fluid supply system.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT by the university’s Head of Cummunications Dr. Brenda Bukowa, UNZA’s prototype is suited for places and spaces where the one meter social distance rule is violated or not possible such as malls and markets aimed at killing viruses that maybe carried on clothing or body surfaces.

Meanwhile, the University of Zambia (UNZA) in addition to the “Walk Through” body sanitizer, has designed three virtual prototypes through technology adaptation. These designs include; a Ventilator, a retractable Wheel Chair and Isolation centre Beds: all aimed at equipping health centres in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ventilator designed, will cushion the country’s supply needed in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory distress.

And in order to convert the three virtual designs into physical prototypes, the institution is inviting stakeholders to sign MOUs with the university in order to partner in actualising the designs from virtual prototypes to physical ones.

Meanwhile, University of Zambia Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Tamala Kambikambi who is also the Board Chairperson for the Technology Development and Advisory Unit (TDAU) says UNZA is committed to developing, adapting or adopting technologies to assist in preventing or minimising transmission of COVID-19 infections and render assistance during treatment and care.

Kambikambi adds that UNZA’s prowess is demonstrated through UNZA’s provision of intellectual and practical services such as the state of art level three (3) biosafety testing lab housed at School of Veterinary Medicine and various research undertakings by UNZA experts for the benefit of Zambia and its people.

She has thanked all staff at the institution of higher learning whom she says have worked tirelessly to ensure UNZA provides solutions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The University of Zambia - UNZA has