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Tech

Ministry of Transport and communications has disclosed that plans of re-launching the National Airline are on course and that the project is on stage three of its certification process and awaits certification process from the Civil Aviation Authority before completion.

The Transport Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the ministry has already issued the air operators service permit and is yet to complete with the air certification process from the Civil Aviation Authority – CAA.

He added that the board has so far completed stage one and two of the process but that the third stage is stiff, as it requires more hence need guidance from stakeholders. He has mentioned that the ministry is a complaint state and will not use its office to push the launch without proper procedures and national regulations hence has no influence of making a quick decision as when the National Airline should start.

Lungu explained that the National Airline will make its first flight to Johannesburg in South Africa adding that the focus is also on domestic and regional flights hence will identify cities and towns with bigger markets.

“The ministry can’t say much at the moment because we are still in the process of certification and our role is to coordinate and give regulations, so we don’t want to use our power to issue the certificate hence will follow procedures of having it from the Civil Aviation Authority because it will help us tighten up, moreover aviation is about service and security”, he said.

The PS has further disclosed that Zambia will maintain its partnership with Ethiopia, as it owns 45% shares in the National Airline project while Zambia owns 55% hence returns of investments are to be made from both sides.

Meanwhile, in an open letter, which was obtained by the Zambian Business – ZBT last month, the Center for Trade and Policy Development – CTPD advised government to hold on the re-launch of the National Airline till Zambia is a better macroeconomic position.

CTPD researcher Bright Chizonde said a research conducted by the center indicated that relaunching the National Airline carrier was not prudent due to Zambia’s current financial and macroeconomic situation.

“Zambia has a vibrant domestic aviation industry which is dominated by private players hence the relaunching of the Zambia airways using proposed business models would crowd out the local  private sector since Zambia Airways is envisaged to have domestic, regional and intercontinental flights, therefore, Government should instead be seeking to support the private sector players rather than interfering with the market through pursuing investments which could be taken on by the private sector,” he said

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Ministry of Transport and communications has disclosed

Mining

Gemfields owned Kagem Mine in Lufwanyama district of Zambia’s mineral rich Copperbelt Province has been commended for realizing emeralds revenue of about $18.6 million in one auction saying the move shows an act of transparency. The number and spread of buyers for Zambian emerald is increasing with Chinese clients joining the list.

Kagem Mining is the world’s single largest emerald mine which is 75% owned by Gemfields and 25% by the Zambian government.Then Mines Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda confirmed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT an exclusive interview that the actual numbers by Kagem mining was confirmed by government, which he said, is a positive gesture to the mining industry and has since encouraged other emerald mining companies to conduct public local auctions.

He added that it is important to conduct auctions within the country as it shows transparency in accounting for the sales done in the sector, drive business tourism arrivals and puts Zambia on the world map. Buyers are encouraged to include Zambia as a destination for their supply chain activities and that where necessary, the auctions can be done outside the country.

“The auction which was conducted by Kagem is impressive and among the offered parcels, we had only two which went back to the mine while the rest were sold, so they met the price which was targeted by the company, we also witnessed the increase in terms of customers and clients who came to buy, initially we had no customers in china but this time we have a lot participating which is a good move,” he said.

Chanda indicated that aside Kagem the country also has other notable mines producing emeralds like Grizzly Mining, which is second from Kagem, but is 100% privately owned. Other producers are Gemcanton and small producers like Miku mining also found in Lufwanyama district whose owner is Zambian who has partnered with Chinese investors with an idea of increasing production and scale up their operations.

He further mentioned that Grizzly mining has also been auctioning publically since 2017 both in the country and outside the country and he has confirmed that the company is equally performing well adding that small producers have also shown growth in the sector hence will soon compete with the bigger mines on the market.

The Mines PS said that government has in this regard promoted an initiative of working with banks to extend loan to local miners in emeralds to enable them produce large quantities, stating that government has noted a lot of potential in Zambian citizens to but that are lacking capital. He said banks and other financial institutions are encouraged to extend credit to miners, but the demand for collateral cover draws back local potential investors into emerald mining.

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Gemfields owned Kagem Mine in Lufwanyama district

Companies

Business at South African stores dominated East Park Mall and Manda Hill in Lusaka was today interrupted and later closed after a group of the University of Zambia – UNZA students protested and blocked shoppers at mostly South African stores, following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa on fellow Africans including Zambians.

Some UNZA students peacefully protested to show their anger and displeasure against the attacks and killing of foreign nationals in South Africa hence targeted some South African stores which include Pick n Pay and Shoprite.

A ZBT analyst who rushed to perhaps the highest traffic malls in Zambia at both East Park and Manda Hill found all shops closed after the students descended on some shops damaging property while customers in Pick n Pay at East pack where locked inside in fear of having protesters break into the shop.

At East Park shopping mall, some shops were partially damaged and employees were seen turning back from their workplaces while the mall remained closed until further notice.And some shop owners talked to have stated that while they do not support the xenophobic attacks going on in South Africa, they are saddened with the protest which has resulted into the closure and loss of business.

“Am totally not in support of what is happening in South Africa but that doesn’t mean Zambia should equally do the same thing because this has an effect on not only South African business but Zambians as well,”.

The students later marched to the South African Embassy in Kubulonga were they demanded to be addressed by the South African high commissioner to Zambia. However their March to the embassy did not yield any positive results as students become unruly and demanded that they South Africa flag is brought down while the Southern African signage post was set on fire.

And some UNZA students talked to under conditions of anonymity have stated that their protect is an indications that Zambians are not happy with the happenings in South Africa and have condemned the act of not allowing the commissioner to show up adding that all they wanted was a peaceful dialogue with the commissioner.

“All we are doing is to make sure that Zambians are okay in South Africa, we are not happy that our people are being threatened and killed every single day, how many South Africans do we have living and doing business in Zambia?, So why should they kill our citizens for doing business there,”?

Meanwhile, Manda Hill Management has disclosed in a statement that the mall has been closed until further notice following the protests that occurred by some groups of UNZA students this morning.
The management has said that the protest was peaceful and that Manda Hill security team along with Center Management rapidly resolved the situation had has since called on its customers to remain calm while the team is still observing the situation.

Zambia was a key ally in the fight against the white apartheid government in South Africa. The country was home to exiled freedom fighters and has remained a home for some todate. The happenings in South Africa is widely condemned with Zambia’s foreign affairs Minister Joe Malanji falling on South African authorities to urgently stem the Xenophobic attacks on innocent foreign workers and residents.

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Business at South African stores dominated East

Tech

The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia – PTAZ has welcomed government’s move through the Ministry of Transport and Communications to implement a 50% quota of outgoing cargo to to be trucked by local transporters, in a moved aimed at supporting local businesses and retaining funds in the Zambian economy.

PTAZ in supporting the move have even called for a more courageous move were the government has been urged to put into motion a plan to soon move the country to 100 percent, for all outgoing cargo. Most countries have preference for their local transporters for outgoing cargo and Zambia should not shy away from building and boosting its local transporters.

Last year, government issued a new Statutory Instrument – SI to compel transporters of heavy cargo to move 30% of bulk cargo from road to railway leaving 70% on the road and government has since decided to move 35 percent to Local transporters while the other 35 percent has been said to remain for competition on the market.

The railway system has now been given a lease of life with both Zambia Railways and TAZARA recording improved business revenues. This is further expected to also support the operation of an efficient passenger services, expected to be the low cost travel option.

PTAZ Secretary General Benson Tembo has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that it is in support of government’s decision but that the ministry should consider moving the remaining 70 percent to local transporters to avoid situations of foreigner nationals posing as local transporters while depriving locals of the business opportunities.

Tembo has since urged government to quickly sign off the document to avoid any further delays as citizens are anxiously waiting to participate in the transportation of copper and cobalt concentrates, sugar, coal, cement, Sulphur, fuel among other heavy bulk cargo hence need protection and support for the local businesses to grow and start contributing to the economy.

“The decision is welcome and we are hoping the move will be implemented soon. Currently the beneficiaries are foreigners coming to Zambian and posing with over hundreds of tracks in Zambia whose source of funding is not even known but busy displacing most of the indigenous Zambians in the sector and this has been our concern for a long time hence hoping that this move will change the way things are conducted, “he said.

He added that Zambia should aim at giving 100 percent to its citizens who are fully registered and signed up transporters and not spare a share for foreign nationals suggesting that foreign national that want to participation in the transportation should be sub-contracted by a Zambian owned business.

And in a separate exclusive interview with ZBT, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said government is at a phase of sensitisation and in consultation with key stakeholders regarding that development and that, it is open to any suggestions made by the public and interest organizations.

He said the suggestion of moving 100 (70) percent to local transporters is a positive decision but that it is likely to affect Zambians who do business outside country hence the need to balance the act to avoid having the Zambian business closed by other countries.

Lungu further said government has noted the blocking on the market hence the consideration of putting up policies to enable Zambians have business and make money adding that it will sign off soon after consultations are done.

“70 percent is a good suggestion and will take it positively because it is the feedback that we want to get from the public and if government has suggested 50 percent but that 70 is what everyone wants then will go for 70 percent, so as at now we are in the consultation phase and will sign after we are done with the consultation process,” he said.

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The Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia –

Lifestyle

The Zambia Entrepreneurship Hub for Entrepreneurs and Skills Training – ZEHEST has called on government to form clear entrepreneurship and empowerment policies that will stimulate growth and directly help citizens have dignified and meaningful lives.

Speaking during an entrepreneurship empowerment symposium held in Lusaka on August 28, 2019, ZEHEST Executive Director Clarence Muziamba said there is need to expedite the construction of skills training centers across the country to enable youth’s access and acquire life survival skills adding that promotion and training is key to National Economic Growth.

“Government talks about leaving no one behind but we have seen that many youths have been left out as mare spectators in developmental matters and that must change for the better. We must also invest in research and development, we have to put up more manufacturing and processing plants locally in each province so that we stop exporting jobs,” he said.

Has noted that youth unemployment and poverty are the major challenges affecting the country hence the need to create an enabling environment for job creation and skills development and ensure youths are trained in various life survival skills.

“Today it is difficult to find a job or get employed in our country no matter how good or best your qualifications might be, hence leaving many youths languishing aimlessly in the compounds depending on government to employ them, so majority of people in our country work in the informal sector and only a few work in the formal sector,” he said.

Muziamba said in order to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product – GDP, issues such as youth unemployment need to be addressed stating that Zambia has over 60% of youths which should be a privilege for them to take part in the country’s development as they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

He has further requested government to fund entrepreneurship skills that have been set up for skill development to ensure many Zambians get necessary entrepreneurship skills so that they become self-reliant and contribute to the country’s GDP.

 

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The Zambia Entrepreneurship Hub for Entrepreneurs and

Tech

The University of Zambia – UNZA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding – MOU with University of Oxford aimed at collaborating in the field of renewable energy solutions.

The MoU will allow UNZA’s Solar Energy Center housed in the Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences and Smith School of Enterprise and Environment at the University of Oxford collaborate in the field of renewable energy solutions.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the University of Zambia main Campus on 26th August 2019, UNZA Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Enala Tembo Mwase, said the MoU signed will allow UNZA and University of Oxford to co-operate in finding solutions to the challenge of rural electrification in Zambia, where only 5% of the population have access to electricity.

The Acting Vice Chancellor added that the signing of the bilateral agreement between UNZA and University of Oxford reaffirms UNZA’s commitment to research around renewable energy solutions.
Prof. Tembo Mwase, emphasized that the agreement signed with University of Oxford is an exciting chapter in UNZA’s strategic objective of promoting mutually beneficial partnerships in the knowledge economy.

She further stated that UNZA is committed to contributing to Zambia’s attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number seven (7) that stipulates the need to ensure universal access to affordable, valuable, sustainable and clean energy by 2030.

And University of Oxford Research Associate, Dr. Susann Stritzke, assured UNZA of Oxford’s commitment in the partnership. She hinted that the co-operation agreement is of significance to University of Oxford as it accords the university a chance to learn and work with UNZA in an inter-disciplinary area of clean energy access and development in Zambia.

Dr. Stritzke, added that University of Oxford is happy to work with UNZA in designing a holistic and inter-disciplinary approach to solving the challenges of rural electrification through integrating various infrastructure based on identified community needs and opportunities.

“The MoU signed between UNZA and University of Oxford will promote co-operation between the two universities in finding solutions to the problem of access to electricity for the rural communities in Zambia,” She said.

Meanwhile, Dean in the School of Natural Sciences, Dr. Habatwa Vincent Mweene, said it is an honour for the School to collaborate with University of Oxford. He stated that UNZA has a lot of expertise in the field of renewable energy and that the two universities stand to benefit from each other through research, workshops and academic exchanges.

The Dean explained that the MoU signed, signifies the School of Natural Science’s resolve to undertake research around the field of renewable energy solutions. “Our strength can be seen in the success of the Solar Energy Center (SEC) which today is churning out cutting-edge research in the field of clean energy” Dr. Mweene said.

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The University of Zambia - UNZA has

Agribusiness

Premiercon Chief Executive Officer – CEO Lubasi Yuyi has disclosed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the starch company has so far attracted about 7400 farmers spread accross Northern Western, Copperbelt, Central, Western and Luapula Provinces to be engaged in supplying Cassava and sweet potatoes for starch extraction.

The company has set up a  70ton Per Day State of the Art Starch Plant in Kalumbila district of North-western Province. He stated that 6 hectares since been identified for cultivation of certified feedstock to be distributed to all communities and that the company will be buying the feed from. “The starch to be produced will be used in the pharmaceuticals for producing medicine, food processing industry and the production of custard and other food related products while the peals from cassava will be used for green charcoal,” he said.

Yuyi further said Premiercon in conjunction with CEC group has since trained about 6,000 farmers to be put on board for the next season which will be starting in the next two months. He confirmed that Premiercon Starch Company Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Copperbelt Energy Corporation – CEC for the supply of feedstock to be used for production of starch to be then supplied to FQM’s Kalumbila mine as a copper processing input.

The two-year MOU is designed to guarantee a market for the produce as well as the provision of technical support to the farmers for improved crop yields. The feedstock will be produced using cassava and sweet potatoes grown by Women’s Club supported by CEC in Mwinilunga district of North western province.

On challenges faced, Yuyi told ZBT that inadequate farm infrastructures remains a key challenge in farming, hence has called on government and other partners to pay attention to this critical issue as it does not only affect farmers but the industry at large.

He is hopeful that the sustainability of the project is assured because Mwinilunga district has good climate conditions which support cassava and sweet potato production. Cassava has been grown as a traditional crop but had previously suffered from limited industrial use which is now improving.

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Premiercon Chief Executive Officer - CEO Lubasi

Markets

Lusaka based economist Trevor Simumba has condemned the silence by Zambia Revenue Authority – ZRA and First Quantum Minerals Kalumbila – FQM over the denial to disclose the actual figure of tax dispute final settlement amount.

Last month, FQM group President Clive Newall had stated in a statement availed to the Zambain Business Times – ZBT that the company had reached a settlement amount with ZRA over the US$ 8 billion tax dispute saying the amount of the settlement was in line with FQM’s earlier made provisions but did not disclose the actual final settlement amount.

Zambia is currently grappling with austerity measures and a national external debt of about US$10.3 billion and a tax dispute of over US$8 billion is not something to joke about or sweep under the carpet. Ordinary citizens in Zambia get sentenced for for longer terms for much lesser crimes and tax dodging in other jurisdictions is considered a serious crime.

Simumba stated that being an issue of public interest, it has raised concerns as to why the two firms have gone mute on releasing the actual amount settled for when government had publically announced the agreement.

The Lusaka based economist has bemoaned the lack of transparency by both FQM and ZRA stating that the act of silence does not send a good signal to the public hence government should open up and discuss the actual amount settled to avoid speculations in the public domain.

He told the Zambain Business Times – ZBT in an interview that placing financial and public information in the public domain shows how transparent the country is to its people and it is a powerful element of good governance as it helps fight corruption.

“I think ZRA commissioner General Kingsly Chanda and newly appointed Minister of Finance Dr. Bwalya N’gandu should open up and disclosed the agreement because whatever money has been made in exchange will go to the treasury, so going mute on this issue when the agreement was made public is not a good move,” he said.

Meanwhile, ZRA Corporate Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda confirmed the settlement with FQM stating that this arrived at after the mining firm appealed on penalties through the Ministry of Finance.

And when ZBT reached out to the FQM Public Relations Manager Godfrey Msiska, he reacted angrily to the question and could not avail further information saying that the company was not in position of giving further information aside what was reported in the statement released earlier.

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Lusaka based economist Trevor Simumba has condemned

Tech

Topstar Zambia has announced that it will by end of August roll out an extra frequency for local TV stations which will favor TV stations that are licensed with the Independ Broadcasting Authority – IBA.

Speaking during a media breakfast meeting at Lusaka’s Mulungushi Conference Centre on August 21 2019, Topstar Chief Executive Officer Alex Jian said the company has also added three new channels to the platform namely KNC TV, Lumen TV and Loyola TV.

He said it is important to note that the new channels will be good source of news to the local TV stations and that content providers will be required to pay the ZICTA approved carriage fees for their channels to be distributed on the Topstar.

“I fully understand that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services – MIBS and IBA are currently experiencing the pressure regarding the fact that local TV stations licensed by IBA are being carried on our platform but that they are not getting income, this situation will be rectified as the expenditure is currently considerably high,” he said.

Alex further refuted allegations circulating on same media platforms stating that the Chinese team has been mistreating its local staff members. He said the company is focused to work with Zambians to discover the right way of increasing revenue and that everything is being done to protect the digital migration to be carried successfully.

He added that allegations that it has been mistreating its staff are false and has stated that Topstar is in Zambia to bond with local investors and that when the business grows, it will hand over the company to the local management team.

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Topstar Zambia has announced that it will

Lifestyle

The Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Development has registered 19,000 boreholes under the water verification exercise in Lusaka province aimed at ensuring safety of the water from domestic boreholes. The Ministry has also through the Water Resources Management Authority – WARMA register 100 borehole drilling companies in an effort to monitor their activities in the province.

Speaking at the borehole water verification exercise flag off in Lusaka on August 20, 2019, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Bishop Eddie Chomba said the verification exercises which has targeted 3, 000 boreholes in Lusaka is aimed at ensuring people have access to safe and clean drinking water.

He added that the Authority has since recruited 1,000 interns to supplement staff that will go round to collect water samples and inspect the quality of boreholes that are being drilled.

Bishop Chomba said the water exercise is a manifestation of government’s commitment through WARMA to regulate the management of water resources in order to distribute to the country and sustainably ensure that the development agenda anchored in the Seventh National Development Plan is adhered to.

He has disclosed that Zambian has currently lost about 3 cubic kilometer of water underground due to climate change hence the need to manage the resource and equitably distribute it to the people who require it.

“We cannot survive without water because we need it not only for humans but environment and wildlife. We are aware there is industrialization of infrastructure and roads around the country but at the wake of industrialization, environment is tempered with, trees are cut down punitively and dams are contaminated because of our activities hence the need to put in place regulations and laws that will be able to guide the way forward by ensuring people have access to clean and safe water,” he said.

He has since appealed to the members of the public to register their boreholes with the WARMA and have their water sources test for safety purposes and comply with the regulations and standards that will be given by the Authority.

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The Ministry of Water Development Sanitation and