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Sport

World soccer governing body FIFA has partnered the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the African Union (AU) in the quest to clean the African game. African football has in recent years been blighted by controversy that range from bribery to mal administration. But the problems of graft also saw the change in top leadership at FIFA and UEFA and followsed through into the regional and country associations.

Last year saw former CAF vice-president, Ghanaian Kwesi Nyantakyi being banned from soccer activities. This year has also witnessed CAF Executive Committee member Musa Bility accusing the president of the continental football governing body Ahmad Ahmad who hails from a non African soccer powerhouse country of running down the sport in Africa.

But FIFA president Gianni Infantino has joined hands with CAF and the AU by signing a memorandum of agreement (Mou) in a bid to what was termed as ‘cleansing African football’. “The MoU, signed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki and Confederation of African Football president Ahmad Ahmad will see FIFA, the AU and CAF implement common strategies and programmes with a focus on the areas of education, good governance and the fight against corruption, as well as safety and security at football matches,” said CAF in a statement seen by the Zambian Businesss Times – ZBT.

There has also been controversy on the Africa Cup of Nations hosting rights for the 2021 and 2023 editions. With FIFA president pledging to help clean African football, CAF have already confirmed support for Infantino to serve another term at the helm of FIFA. However, even the European game was mired in the same controversy as the head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter was ousted on allegations of graft. The in line to succeed Blatter, Frenchman Michell Platini was also passed over and removed on similar charges.

Just last month, on February 27, 2019, FIFA banned for life former Zambia Football Association former treasurer and later Vice President, Boniface Mwamelo, who later confirmed he intends to appeal his life ban imposed by FIFA. He was adjudicated as guilty of “having accepted bribes in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics. Mwamelo was also fined $10,015. FIFA stated that Mwamelo is banned from all football-related activities following an investigation which started in October 2017.

The probe surrounded the participation of Zambia’s Under 23 team at an international tournament in July 2010, with Mwamelo accused of collaborating with the convicted Singaporean match fixer Raj Perumal. Mwamelo, who confirmed receipt of FIFA’s decision, denies any wrongdoing. “I am glad it is an appealable case, I will do everything within my means to clear my name,” said Mwamelo in a statement.

However, soccer analysts and fans accross Africa have accused local football admistration rivals of using FIFA to settle their local political scores. What one should think of is that all these associations have disciplinary committees, why is it that all decision are comming from FIFA? If indeed these allegations hold water, the bans would have started from the local associations disciplinary committees. It’s actually an indictment on the local and country committees charged with this responsibility to wait for FIFA, when this very evidence they are sending is generated locally.

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World soccer governing body FIFA has partnered

Sport

Merifin Capital of Belgium has signed a US$ 200, 000 sponsorship extension deal with the Olympic Youth Development Centre – OYDC to fund the “Teulings Youth Sports Challenge” for the next two years which will resume on the 23rd February, 2019.

The Teulings Youth Sports Challenge was initiated in 2011 with competition in Basketball, Football, Tennis, Hockey, Volleyball and support academy sport.

OYDC Director Dr. Fredrick Chitangala announced that the newly signed sponsorship deal will now include Swimming, Netball, Taekwondo, Hockey and Beach Volleyball as some of the sports disciplines which young talented athletes will be competing in.

Coen Teulings, Chairman of the Merifin Capital in Belgium has been an all weather supporter of the OYDC and his sponsorship has helped the centre in discovering some of the great talents that are even representing Zambia.

Merifin Capital is a European private investment group with offices and executives operating in Brussels, Geneva, New York and London. The firm has successfully invested in traditional and alternative asset classes for a period of over twenty years. At the present time, Merifin Capital and its affiliates manage a substantial investment portfolio and maintain an active investment program.

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Merifin Capital of Belgium has signed a

Tech

Following the recent Trans Kalahari Fiber project that was built between the West Africa Undersea Cable System – WACS landing station in Swakopmund – Namibia and the Zambian Sesheke border, Paratus Africa has activated additional capacity between(WACS) and Lusaka, Zambia.

The company now carries this capacity as far north as the town of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Within the Group, Paratus Zambia is the first to take full advantage of the Trans Kalahari Fiber project.

“Our primary focus has been to establish our own infrastructure and this is vital to ensure that our operations are able to provide the best customer experience. We view the extremely volatile economic conditions as an opportunity to further invest in Africa, Paratus Group CEO Barney Harmse has said.

This project shows that investment in telecoms infrastructure does have its benefits and it allows Paratus Africa to solidify its position as a leader in quality connectivity across Africa.

“Joined with the backhaul network through Namibia, we are now able to provide more options to our client base.” Paratus Zambia country manager Marius van Vuuren has said.

Vuuren says the g the group being able to provide backhaul, metro and various access options; this makes the company more competitive and more ready to service the pan-African client base.

“We have already earmarked various infrastructure investment projects and are stringently investigating the viability thereof. We are confident that by continuing our investment strategy, Paratus Africa will become the preferred pan-African operator,” concludes Harmse.

Trade between Zambia and DRC is set to boom following the so far peaceful transition of power in DRC. South Africa and other neighboring countries also transit their trade through Zambia.

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Following the recent Trans Kalahari Fiber project

Tech

Liquid Telecom Zambia has partnered with Sigfox to demonstrate the uses of the ‘Internet of Things”- IoT as a key tool to drive smart business and economic development by increasing its accessibility and reducing maintenance cost of the technology.

Liquid Telecom Zambia Chief Executive Officer Susan Mulikita said the internet of things is indicative of strides that have been made in the ICT world which have greatly shifted the use of the internet from a people dominated sphere to one that relies on machines working together to produce a smart network.

She was speaking at a workshop which took place at Taj Pamozi Hotel in Lusaka attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT.

Mulikita said in order to embed connectivity and intelligence in a range of devices, the internet of things has increasingly been used to collect large quantities of data which when analyzed will help businesses make smarter decisions and operate more effectively.

‘’During the workshop held on 6 March 2019, Sigfox will showcase a variety of use cases which demonstrate how our partners and customers can effectively utilize the internet of things in diverse sectors as banking, the transport sector, agriculture and the fisheries industry.” She said.

And Sigfox vice president Nicolas Andrieu said its partnership with Liquid Telecom is to accelerate the roll out of the IoT network in order to present and introduce what technology can bring to the ICT sector in the country.

The vice president said the internet of things is beneficial as it will help people achieve their focus on a smart Zambia.

Speaking at the same event, Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority – ZICTA Director General Patrick Mutimushi said IoT as well as big data have the potential to bring about enormous social and economic benefits which will help organizations target products, deliver services, develop policies and personal peoples online experience.

Mutimushi addded that ZICTA is committed to contributing towards government’s strides to achieve its industrialization strategy and stand to promote the facilitations partnership to innovate ICT products and services.

“Iam encouraging all of you to embrace the technologies and use it productively, remember, the development of the ICT sector in Zambia relies on you and me”. He said.

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Liquid Telecom Zambia has partnered with Sigfox

Lifestyle

The Kitwe District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that it will hold this years award giving gala. The chamber says the award giving gala is very important to the business community in enhancing value and encouraging companies to perform better.

Kitwe is Zambia’s second biggest city by population and the Chamber President Anthony Kabaghe told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the event is equally important to the chamber calendar as it is held annually and deserving companies are awarded in different categories.

“As you know the chamber comprises of different companies and categories, we have got these annual events were we bring all these companies. We will have our 2018 event at newly opened Garden Court hotel, on the 7th of December at 19:00 pm and we are expecting Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry Christopher Yaluma to grace the occasion.

Companies are going to be recognized and encouraged to do even better,”he said. In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Kabaghe added that professional bodies have been engaged to assist and assess companies short listed and the categories.

“For instance will be giving an award in Occupational Health and Safety so we have engaged our friends at Occupational Health and Safety department to do the assessment, so we give them that assignment they assess for us and they give us to say the best in this category is this. For the mines, its the same, we also engage the Chamber of Mines to assist us to assess,” he explained.

“Our members are included, we send these categories to them to say can you choose best companies, say in the category of bank of the year award who are the best. You know as a Chamber of Commerce we also work hard to give value to our members.

So as a Chamber we have to make sure we give value to our members, as you you know this is a voluntary organization, we do not force any one to belong to the chamber. We make sure that who ever comes in as a member the Chamber gives and get value from the other members,” he said.

He highlighted the fact that, in organizing the event donations were made from its members. “So like the Garden Court hotel itself, they are giving some subsidies on certain things because they are our members. In terms of sponsoring the event, we have asked for Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsorships.

As people are coming to the event and as our members are coming in, they will see the brand name’s as part of our marketing activities and also in terms of an advantage for sponsoring they is just that recognition because we have to display this event has been sponsored by this company and so on. That is also good corporate social responsibility, “ he stated.

Kabaghe further disclosed that the Chamber also organises monthly Breakfast meetings for its members to discuss various topics of interest in the industry. “We invite our members to come to together and discuss on a topic of interest and a speaker is called for that particular topic.

The last meeting at Garden Court we invited the speaker from Lusaka to talk about nuclear energy. Zambia has signed an MoU on nuclear energy for scientific purposes. So it is an important topic that we thought our members should come and hear and see how they can prepare their businesses or organizations they work for.

The Chamber is a must join organization for a business to appreciate the business environment they operate in, the more we are the better we share ideas,”he narrated.

The occasion will comprise of 19 categories which include:
Mining Company of the year in Occupational Health and SafetyPresidents Award of the year, Most Innovative Company, Commercial Supply Company, Industrial Company of the year.

Other categories include Bank, Insurance company of the year, Tourism and Hospitality Company, Mining Company, Mining Contractor, Consumer Manufacturing Company, Accounting Company, Most Outstanding Corporate Company, Service Company, Business Executive, Most Popular Radio Station and Broker of the year awards

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The Kitwe District Chamber of Commerce and

Lifestyle

The Copperbelt’s Bwana Mkubwa Constituency lawmaker Dr. Jonas Chanda has called for increased funding to the education which he said would lead to production of high quality human capital which is the most important source of competitive advantage for a nation to achieve economic growth and development.

Dr. Chanda, a medical doctor by profession said this when he was speaking in parliament as he advocated for increase budget allocation to the education sector in the 2019 budget. He stated that Zambia had lagged behind in school infrastructure as the population grew, leading to demand for school places outstripping supply, a situation which has created a “funnel-shaped” education system.

Dr. Chanda further stated that “this funnel shaped system had led to a situation were about 500,000 children start school in grade 1 but only 100,000 (which is 20%) completing grade 12, representing an 80% drop out rate”.

“While international conventions recommend spending 20 to 26% of the national budget on education, in Zambia, only ZMW13.3 billion (about USD1.1 billion) which is 15.3% of the budget is allocated to education for both Ministries of General Education and Higher Education” the lawmaker stated.

The first ever global Human Capital Index (maker HCI) published by the World Bank in Bali, Indonesia this year urges countries to prioritize investment in people by simultaneously investing more financial resources in education, health and economic development.

Zambia, with 82% of the population below the age of 35, must invest more in its young people. Results of HCI shows the highest scoring countries are all East Asian – Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, while Britain is at number 22 and the USA is at number 24, but African countries are at the bottom of the list,” he said.

The Lawmaker further said any good education system consists of quantitative expansion, qualitative expansion and equity. “The Patriotic Front – PF government has embarked on quantitative expansion of school infrastructure by constructing hundreds of primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities to close the “infrastructure gap” which was created over so many years due to previous governments low investment in school infrastructure.

Consequently, Zambia lagged behind in school infrastructure as the populationRuling Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament for Bwana Mkubwa Constituency Dr. Jonas Chanda has said increased funding for education leads to production of high quality human capital which is the most important source of competitive advantage for a nation to achieve economic growth and development.

He reiterated that the quality of education in a nation determines the quality of human capital produced, which drives economic development. He has commended government for removing all 743 Teachers with forged certificates from the education system but says they must be prosecuted, and no teachers with forged certificates must be employed. He also thanked government for acting against rampant examination leakages which compromise the quality of education.

Meanwhile on need for equity in an education system, Dr Chanda said education is a universal human right for all, and universal education must be for all with no pupil left behind. He thanked government for increasing school enrollment for both boys and girls. He says more needs to be done for children living with disabilities in public schools, including recruitment of specialized teachers for children with special needs like blindness, deafness and mental impairment.

Dr. Chanda further urged government to ensure that the 2-Tier Educational System in secondary schools which offers academic and vocational options to pupils, is more industry-based so that pupils can acquire “industrial skills,” than the current situation where it is confined to learning institutions.

He has also called for increased government support to community schools which emerged as the 4th-Tier of the Education System in the 1990s due to “infrastructure gaps” in the public school system.

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The Copperbelt's Bwana Mkubwa Constituency lawmaker Dr.

Lifestyle

AB InBev local unit, Zambian Breweries, has applauded the Zambian Revenue Authority – ZRA for its recent action to thwart smuggling of almost ZMW1 million worth of alcoholic beverages at border posts.

The company’s Country Director Jose Moran said, it is commending ZRA in its continued effort to curb the rising trend in smuggling of alcoholic beverages at border posts.

We were pleased to learn of the recent action by the ZRA in confiscating smuggled alcohol worth almost K1 million.
“This is a step in the right direction in curbing the colossal sums of evaded tax and ensuring a level playing field for businesses and consumers. This commendable action by ZRA confirms the existence of smuggling being rampant in our border posts and boundaries. Concerted efforts by all stakeholders are cardinal in curbing this scourge.”

In October Zambian Breweries launched the 2018 Euro monitor market analysis of illicit alcohol in Zambia, which catalogued an appalling fiscal loss of US$103.7 million compared with US$38 million in 2014 through the smuggling of ethanol and finished alcoholic beverage products into Zambia.

According to the report, smuggled alcoholic goods range from premium spirits, sparkling wine, cider and clear beer brands usually sold cheaply at wholesale markets and also distributed directly by smugglers through trade channels.

“Throughout the ages, wherever there are borders and taxes, there has been smuggling, as unscrupulous traders attempt to dodge duties and procedures in favour of a quick profit. It’s a simple formula: if you can avoid paying customs duties and taxes then you can undercut the market price of goods at the market price and pocket the difference,” said Moran.

And according to the recent 2018 Euro monitor report it explains the different categories of organised smugglers including small traders who bypass border checkpoints completely and represent the majority of smuggled alcohol volume originating mainly from Namibia, Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa.

The large-volume smugglers mainly cross from Namibia at the Katima Mulilo border. The large illicit traders are said to falsely declare their merchandise at Customs and may proceed into Zambia using cartels that organise them, according to industry sources cited by the report.

The report names townships such as Matero, Mandevu and Chilenje in Lusaka as competing with COMESA Market in distributing smuggled alcohol and other illicit products. The cholera clean-up conducted by the authorities from September 2017 to January 2018 resulted in many open stalls around COMESA Market, the largest wholesaler market, being removed.

Unfortunately, large amounts of smuggled alcoholic beverages are substituted or refilled and some of Zambian Breweries’ regional and global brands have been affected on the pretext of importation.

In a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Moran further added that as a responsible brewer, Zambian Breweries has backed the National Alcohol Policy, which calls for targeted action in solving alcohol issues.

The brewing company pledged support by encouraging licit business along the value chain and partnerships with its stakeholders in providing well-researched and informed pragmatic recommendations to the authorities to ensure the complete removal of smuggling.

“ZRA’s action is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to ensure a change in the public’s mind-set about smuggling and smugglers. We recommend deregistration of businesses involved in smuggling as the tax evaded has the potential to derail the nation’s development. There is an emphatic need for the stakeholders such as ZRA, the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), security wings, representatives of the private sector and other partners to formulate a taskforce to curb smuggling,” he said.

Moran also emphasised the need for private and public partnerships to help solve the problem, under which government and industry can pool resources, expertise and intelligence to develop workable solutions. Public and private partnerships can be leveraged to address other issues, such as collating robust data on smuggling, he explained.

 

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AB InBev local unit, Zambian Breweries, has

Agribusiness

The European Union – EU, through the Southern African Development Community – SADC Trade Related Facility – TRF Project, has given Zambia a grant of € 800,000 to implement trade related interventions in the Gold Mining and Agro-base local communities.

“Preceding this, the government received an initial grant of €420, 000 which was used in setting up the project management unit and implementing start up interventions on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS), Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Trade Facilitation and Promotion among others,” Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame said this in a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT.

She therefore disclosed that € 800,000 funding will build on the specific activities which have been embarked on the aforementioned intervention areas.

“Among the specific activities implemented include formalising twelve Mining Cooperatives in Rufunsa and Petauke districts, an exercise which was undertaken in partnership with Ministry of Mines, Procurement of Gold Panning and Mining Equipment for the Mining Cooperatives. The equipment includes four Gold detectors; one Microscope, Two Shaking Tables.”

“And the procured equipment is expected to be officially handed over within this month. The equipment which is yet to be procured include four Sluice Boxes and twelve Panning dishes. The contracted Supplier who was engaged to supply this equipment failed to deliver and the contract was, therefore, cancelled. The Ministry is expected to relaunch the tender, she explained.

Siame highlighted other interventions made hinged on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). “The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Veterinary Medicine and Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) working in collaboration with other Associations in the aforesaid agro-based target sectors were engaged to build food safety management systems based on industry needs.

I can confirm that the Needs Assessments were undertaken in the sectors and thirty two module have been developed for the sectors. Given the funding received, therefore, UNZA and ZABS are expected to finalise the modules and provide training and mentorship sessions to selected farmers and processors. Once the trainings and mentorships sessions are conducted, the selected farmers and processors will be certified in Hazard Critical Control Point (HACCP) and Good Agriculture Practices (GAP),” she noted.

The ministry is optimistic that these and other interventions earmarked in the project will make meaningful impact and considerably compliment results ensuing from interventions of other projects, the permanent secretary added.

The SADC Trade Related Facility (TRT) project for Zambia is being implemented with the aim to assist Zambia implement commitments made under the SADC protocol on Trade. It has been funded by the European Union (EU) though SADC at cost of €1,400, 000.

With the main objective of attaining higher level of compliance and implementation of commitments made thereby contributing towards sustainable growth and trade development in the country.

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The European Union - EU, through the

Agribusiness

The role that Zambian Breweries plc is playing in adding value to local agricultural products has impressed the Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – ZACCI who toured the company’s Lusaka plant this week.

The company’s contribution in job creation, local agro-processing and manufacturing through production of its iconic Mosi and Castle clear beer and affordable Eagle Lager was key in supporting local enterprises through sourcing its main ingredients such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize from local producers.

“What you see in a beer bottle is much more value addition to the economy,” said ZACCI executive committee president Michael Nyirenda after touring the Mungwi Road plant.

“Zambian Breweries’ value addition draws government’s effort in creating a Zambian owned economy where we use our raw materials from locally produced crops such as cassava, maize, barley, and sorghum to produce products for the local market as well as for export. This is a huge investment to Zambia,” said Mr Nyirenda.

ZACCI, along with colleagues from the Zambia Association of Manufactures – ZAM were thrilled with the value addition, mechanisation, safety and quality of production that the brewing company has put in place at its plants. The tour gave the visitors an insight into the value addition the brewing company adds to the Zambian economy.

And Zambian Breweries corporate affairs director Ezekiel Sekele said, “The brewing company through its Agro-processing is supporting small to large-scale enterprises through sourcing of its main beer ingredients, such as barley, cassava, sorghum and maize locally.”

“We are grateful to all our key stakeholders, the government of Zambia, ZACCI and ZAM for the commitment in supporting ventures that grow and develop the lives of Zambians,” he added. As an agro-processor, Zambian Breweries is boosting agricultural production, enhancing productivity and increasing earnings for the local farmers.

Through its wide sourcing of agricultural raw materials, the brewer makes agriculture a sustainable business venture even for small-scale farmers with its cassava and maize purchases.

In 2018, Zambian Breweries bought 7 million kilograms of cassava, worth about K10 million, from local farmers. Further, this has added value to the entire value chain, impacting positively on small and medium sized enterprises.

Photo below is Zambian breweries malting plant in Lusaka South Multi-facility economic Zone

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The role that Zambian Breweries plc is

Agribusiness

Zambia is considered a big country, especially when you look at the population in relation to the available land. If you also consider that the country is projected to have 17.9 million people by 2020, and a population growth rate of 2.9% and land of over 750,000 square kilometers.

But the country in terms of economic activity is just concentrated in about four regions. Today, we know that Lusaka province, because of its political capital status has attracted a huge population and government resources.

The province also has all foreign diplomats and other multilateral organizations offices and residences. This in itself gives the province an assured level economic activities. As a result, Lusaka has the higher regional population of about 3.1 million people, contributing about 26.9% of Zambia’s GDP by 2016.

The Copperbelt province is the countries mining and industrial hub, the home of the first copper mines to be opened in Zambia is even the highest GDP contributor with 29.3%. The red mental and emerald rich region has a population of about 2.5 million people.

For this region, what may be the missing link is some kind of regulatory support for the participation of local businesses in the mining value chain, there has been a talk of 20% subcontracting to local businesses but there is no obligation on the mining companies to give a specific share to locals. This can be sorted out by an SI and the local economy can get back to business.

Southern Province ranks third with GDP contribution of 11.1%. The region is home to most large scale commercial farms such as Nakambala sugar estates, major hydro power generation facilities at Kariba and Victoria falls which also is a major tourist attraction.

The region has population of 2.1 million people. Due to its heavy reliance on Agro and livestock activities, opening up of export opportunities for farmers to cash in oh higher margins as well as getting the minimum wage for farm labour can be some of the quick wins to shore up the incomes.

North Western province comes in as the fourth most economically active region. Since this region is equally endowed with rich copper deposits and boasts of new large scale mines such as Kalumbila, Kansanshi, Lumwana and others that are currently under exploration and development.

This region is poised to contribute well over 10% to GDP. By the CSO 2016 data, the region was already contributing 8.2% and by now, its expected that its over 10%. It has a low population of 902,000 people but the jobs that have been created is bound to push this number up to to job seeking migration.

This now leaves us with six (6) regions that need urgent development and core business activity set up. These regions in no particular order include Eastern, Luapula, Western, Muchinga, Northern and Central provinces. These regions are all under performing as they are contributing under 10% to the country’s GDP.

All these regions have provincial ministers, who are ideally expected to ensure they land large deals of foreign direct investments that can then spur these regions other side industries. As we stand today, they have some industries which are not significant. As a result, even the quality of infrastructure, housing, education and other social-economic amenities lag behind.

When you check the history books, you will see and appreciate that first republican President, Dr. Kaunda attempted to solve this economic inequity problem. He tried with banana plantations, cashew nut production, mass Cotton and groundnut industries, fish farming ventures etc.

Of course the results were not that successful or maybe it was the privatization that cut their lifespan short? We are sure there are more questions than answers. We have noted that there are genuine attempts to hold provincial investment expositions. These are welcome and should be targeted at these regions were economic pulse is almost non existent.

Of course the times are now different, the first attempt to have tangible economic activities in each region may not have been highly successful, but this time can prove to be the right time. Building a public university in each region was a good start, but the program seem to have been derailed.

We have a society we’re being born in certain regions offers more economic opportunities than in others, which need to be corrected to have a more equitable society. Though an ideal, it’s one that the country can continuously aspire for.

They say education is the greatest equalizer, so maybe, just maybe, build or distribute an equitable number of schools, colleges and universities and pro-rata the number of teachers allocated to each of the ten regions of Zambia based on population needs to even out the chances of economic success for every child.

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Zambia is considered a big country, especially