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he Securities and Exchange Commission – SEC has clarified that it can only regulate cryptocurrency and other related digital assets that meet the definition of a security as defined by the Act.

SEC Chief Executive Officer – CEO Philip Chitalu in a statement availed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT stated that “whether any digital assets or products fit the description of a financial security in accordance with the Securities Act No. 41 of 2016, it will be assessed on a case by case basis focusing primarily on each product’s characteristics, features and uses”.

Chitalu stated that crypto currencies are numerous with their ever broadening form spanning from the famous Bitcoin, alternative coins, Initial Coin Offerings – ICOs to other products that are emanating from block-chain technology. Their market has grown rapidly with more and more people opting to use or invest in them.

The SEC CEO confirmed that his commission has received queries on whether these crypto currencies are safe to invest in and if they fall under the Commission’s ambit. Chitalu stated that currently these products are not regulated by the Commission unless they meet the definition of a security as defined by the Act and this, as indicated will be considered on a case by case basis.

Chitalu stated that the Commission would also like to advise investors, both current and potential, to observe extreme caution when dealing with self-proclaimed cryptocurrency educators, trainers and advisors as the credibility and accurateness of their teachings and advice are unverified.

He further cautioned those that are operating any systems and platforms within Zambia that effect or facilitate transactions for the various crypto currencies to ensure that they are not in any way abrogating any part of the Act and that those that meet the description of securities in accordance with the Act are registered with SEC.

Last month, the Bank of Zambia – BOZ issued a press statement on the regulatory winding down of local crypto currency company, Heritagecoin Resources Limited (HRL) which had accumulated deposits of the K15.3 million (about US$1.3 million). The Anti Corruption Commission – ACC ceased the deposits from the company in various bank accounts.

BOZ in 2018 declared that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are not legal tender, warning that those conducting transactions in the cryptocurrency would have nobody to turn to or blame in the event of market failure. However, some international critics of the institution and promoters of crypto currency Bitcoin accused the central bank of issuing the decree solely because it wants to promote its consistently depreciating fiat currency, the kwacha.

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Featured

Your premium business paper, the Zambian Business Times – ZBT Newspaper print edition is out today!

In this edition, get to understand why the copper price surge to over US$6,500 per ton has cheered the private sector and how it affects you and your business decisions, an analysis of why a dividend if K10million dividend from IDC, a business with a portfolio of over 34 companies exposes underperformance of some SOEs.

Also read about how Kagem raised US$10.8 million in a lusaka auction, why the Under 23 soccer team under Beston Chambeshi is Zambia’s best bet and read our editorial on the urgent need to attend to the cost of borrowing by BOZ and Ministry of Finance.

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Companies

The recent exit of two top directors within one month is raising questions on what is really happening at Zambia’s top Agri business company, Zambeef. The company within the month of February has just lost two key directors, who between them were the erstwhile key staff leading the management team.

Effective February 4, the company announced that its long serving Executive Director and Board Member, Yusuf Koya had resigned from all Group Companies. Koya had served the integrated Agro company for over 13 years, having joined Zambeef as Group General Manager in May 2005.

A few days later, on 12 February, the company announced the resignation of Craig Harris as Chief Financial Officer – CFO, of Zambeef Products PLC and all Group Companies, this time with with immediate effect. On Koya’s announcement, the board chairman, Dr. Jacob Mwanza who is former Bank of Zambia Governor had stated that he would remain and serve the company, without specifying the exact role he would play

In a stock market brief seen by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, the Zambeef Board announced the appointment of Walter Roodt to the Board of Zambeef. Walter is currently the Deputy Managing Director the CEO designated once the incumbent (Francis Grogan) retires at the end of 2019.

Zambeef Chairman, Dr Jacob Mwanza stated that Koya has been a valued member of Zambeef for many years, “I would like to thank him for the tremendous contribution that he has made to Zambeef since he joined the Company almost 14 years ago. Koya has played and continues to play a valuable role in supporting the growth of Zambeef through his vast knowledge and experience of banking and corporate finance.”

Koya is credited for his work ethic and having contributed to the growth and development of the Company. He is also credited with overseeing the stock exchange listing in London and that he was instrumental in successfully implementing a significant number of corporate transactions as well as successfully raising debt finance of over USD100 million over the last 14 years.

On Harris, Dr. Mwanza stated that “the Board wishes to thank Craig for his dedication and contribution to the company since his appointment in 2012 and wishes well in his future endeavours.”

Zambeef Group is one of the largest integrated cold chain food producers in Zambia. The company is involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, dairy products, fish, flour and stock feed.

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Mining

Kansanshi & Kalumbila-Trident copper mines have raked in US$3 billion in 2018. Canadian listed First Quantum Minerals (FQM) group with operations at Kansanshi and Kalumbila-Sentinel in North Western province of Zambia in 2018 produced a total of 606,000 tonnes in total production with the two Zambian based operations contributing 79% (about 80%) of the global copper mining giants total production.

In a conference call attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT analysts, FQM president, Clive Newell presentation stated that the group recorded improved copper production, up 6% from 2017. Kansanshi contributed 252,000 tonnes while Kalumbila-Trident contributed 224,000 tonnes. The two Zambian mines together delivered 476,000 tonnes in 2018 alone.

In terms of capital expenditure, FQM spent about US$1.3 billion in 2018 investing in its Copre Panama project. This is perhaps the groups diversification drive to water down the 80% copper production concentration coming from Zambia. However, the new Panama mine is projected to produce about 175,000 tonnes at most in 2019.

The projected copper production for FQM group in 2019 700,000 to 735,000 tonnes and the two Zambian operations are expected to contribute about 560,000 tonnes which would be about 76% of the groups overall copper production.

FQM projects 18% growth in Copper Production from Zambia
This projection for Zambian operations is a growth from 476,000 tonnes in 2018, an upsurge of about 18%, a show of confidence in the Zambian mining industry and its production capacity. Since the projection is that its copper production will jump up to 560,000 tonnes from non-panama copper production, it signals confidence in the Zambian operations.

However, Newall stated that the Zambian government is yet to advise the Goods and Sales Tax – GST rate which is expected to come into place by 1 April 2019. The impact of GST which replaces the erstwhile Value Added Tax, which the mines were zero rated and hence a net claimer of VAT has not yet been included, perhaps a signal that FQM expects to negotiate exemption.

Zambian mines rake in US$3 billion in 2018

Taking the London Metal Exchange – LME average 3 months copper price of US$6,123 per tonne, FQM generated average revenues of about US$2.9 billion (about US$3 billion) in 2018. The company posted total group revenue of US$3.966 billion, meaning that Zambian mines on copper alone excluding other by-products like Gold contributed about 74% (2.9/3.9) to overall revenue for the FQM group.

The Zambian government recently revised upwards its tiered mineral royalty tax band rates for copper mining companies by 1.5% and introduced another tier that would see a mineral royalty tax rate of 10% when global copper prices as depicted by the benchmark LME crosses US$7,500 per tonne price tag.

The revised tax bands for mineral loyalty on Copper produced in Zambia for 2019 will be: If international copper prices are less than US$4,500 per tonne – 5.5%, if between US$4,500 – US$6,000 – 6.5%, US$6,000 – US$7,500 – 7.5% and a new upper band introduced for 2019 of greater than US$7,500 at 10%.

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Agribusiness, Highlights

Zambia’s inflation rate for February 2019 has recorded a decline of 0.1% for the first time in three months after recording a two months flat inflationary rate at 7.8% from December last year to January this year.

The year on year inflation rate as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February 2019 decreased to 7.8% down from the 7.9% recorded in January 2019 and December 2018. This inflation rates means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 7.8% between February 2018 and February 2019.

The year on year (Annual) food inflation rate for February 2019 has also recorded a decrease of 0.5 percentage points, this is the greatest decrease in four months and has been attributed to price changes in bread, cereal , meat products and vegetables. These decreases are as a result from early harvest that have started to hit the market.

Acting Director of Census and Statistics Ivan Sikanyiti stated during the monthly bulleting presentation on Thursday morning attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that on the other hand, that the annual non-food inflation rate for February 2019 has recorded an increase of 0.2 percentage point from 7.7 recorded in January 2019 to 7.9 recorded this month.

The Acting Director attributed the increase in this non-food inflation to the price changes of items in the transport CPI main group. Following the last increase of fuel pump prices effected by the Energy Regulation Board – ERB, there has been a rise in transport costs especially in the major cities by commuter bus services.

The increases seen in bus commuter services in major cities of Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola is expected to see some reversal in March following ERB’s announce fuel price cuts following relative stability of the Kwacha at the new elevated levels and reduction in internal crude oil prices.

Meanwhile the month on month inflation rate for February 2019 was recorded at 0.7% indicating a decrease of 0.4 percentage point compared to 1.1% recorded in January 2019. This month on month reduction means that on average, the price of goods and services decreased by 0.7 percent between January and February this year.

The decrease in the month on month inflation rate is mainly attributed to the price change in the transport main CPI group such as prices of Toyota Hilux, Toyota corolla and Nissan Sentra, based on relative stability of the Kwacha at the new elevated levels. There is also stiff competition among car companies which is currently playing out.

Fresh vegetables and fruit products helps cool off inflation

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Zambia’s inflation rate for February 2019 has

Companies, Tech

Liquid Telecom South Africa, a unit of the leading pan-African telecoms group, Liquid Telecom, has secured its first major customer MTN, to offer 4G roaming to millions of South Africans.

This includes LTE services to fuel the growing demand for high speed mobile broadband. The wholesale roaming service will be made available across Liquid Telecom’s network nationwide.

In an emailed press statement made available for the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Reshaad Sha, CEO of Liquid Telecom South Africa stated that “with MTN as a customer we have an opportunity to utilise our existing spectrum assets, so more people than ever will have access to fast and reliable mobile internet – and across Liquid Telecom’s network nationwide for the first time”.

Sha further stated that “this builds on our vision to give everyone the right to be connected by bringing high-speed broadband connectivity to all. The benefits are massive, particularly for organisations keen to fully embrace ‘digital transformation’ to improve productivity, customer service and performance.”

MTN South Africa CEO, Godfrey Motsa said “this sort of infrastructure sharing deal is good for the industry, as it reduces the need for excessively high capital investment and it is also good for customers, that immediately benefit from even greater access to fast and reliable mobile data”.

Motsa further stated that “MTNs focus is offering the very best experience to our millions of customers and by roaming on Liquid Telecom, we are deepening our commitment to continue to be the Best Network in South Africa, through our consistent and reliable network performance.”

This is one more step towards Liquid Telecom ‘Building Africa’s Digital Future” following December’s announcement to offer wholesale 4G roaming services in South Africa.

Liquid Telecom has been investing heavily across the continent where it operates Africa’s largest independent fibre network that is almost 70,000km in length and linked to more than 660 towns and cities in 13 countries. This includes the recent completion of Liquid Telecom’s award winning ‘Cape to Cairo’ network which represents the first direct land-based terrestrial fibre link from Cape Town to Cairo.

Liquid Telecom which has an operation in Zambia is a leading communications solutions provider across 13 countries primarily in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa that serves mobile operators, carriers, enterprise, media and content companies and retail customers with high-speed, reliable connectivity, hosting and co-location and digital services.

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Companies

Zambia Airports Corporation Limited – ZACL whose mandate is to develop, maintain and manage the four international airports, namely Kenneth Kaunda in Lusaka, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Livingstone and Mfuwe and three Strategic and seven provincial aerodromes has continued to score notable progress with the launch of Air Tanzania flights into Zambia.

The results may have been long coming following the Zambian government investments of over $1.7 billion in airport infrastructure such as Livingstone’s ultra modern Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport – HMNIA, the under construction Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport -KKIA, the recently Flagged off construction of Copperbelt’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport – SMKIA. Some provincial airports are also under various stages of infrastructure uplift.

According to a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, acting Minister of Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya who is Minster of Works and Supply, on Friday when he officiated at the launch of Air Tanzania’s inaugural flight into Zambia that took place at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport said that tourism to Zambia is very important and the coming into the space by Air Tanzania was most welcome.

“Zambia boasts of one of the Seven (7) Wonders of the World which is the Victoria Falls and anyone wanting to view it must visit Zambia and the Republic of Tanzania is not just a good neighbour to Zambia but a key strategic partner in promoting both economic and social development, a relationship that can be exemplified by some of the assets co-owned by the two countries such as TAZARA, and the pipeline”, Kafwaya said.

The Minister added that the direct route that was being launched are going to make sure that the travelling public get the maximum benefits of an enabled environment. He further noted that the launch of the airline was going to make people’s lives in both countries much better.
“Zambia’s aviation connectivity improves by way of many carriers choosing to fly into “Destination Lusaka”, the aviation sector is poised for significant growth and this would also answer to the new transport policy pronouncement of transforming the country into an inter-model transport and logistics hub for the Southern African Region”, he said.

Kafwaya re-iterated that during the 2018 period, the aviation industry recorded a positive growth of 11% in general passenger movements and international passenger numbers grew by 8%. The domestic market grew even more by 23% indicating a shift in the traveling pattern as people are now choosing to travel by air than by road as it has been traditionally in the past.

He said that in order to support the aviation sector and to ensure sustainable growth of the industry, the Ministry of Transport and Communication approved incentives for the new airlines to ensure the attraction of more airlines in to the country. He said that the move is the promotion of the people and the services to be rendered were for the benefit of the people and better their lives.

And his Tanzanian counterpart, Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Isaac Kamwele said that the launch of the flight into Zambia brings a solution of flying quickly and affordable between the two countries and that it would smoothen and accelerate business activities. “The direct flights would promote tourism, agriculture culture and other business activities as it would also support the strategies of the income increase and contribute towards economic growth of both countries. And Air Tanzania is here to stay in serving Zambians and this would be its home”, said Kamwele.

ZACL has a unique chance to go for and grab the coveted position of being a transport hub for the Central and Southern African region. With Zambia having the geographically central position, warm and welcoming people, the security concerns in Kenya and the relative slow down of the South African economy coupled with reported troubles with the state owned South African Airways – SAA, ZACL is well positioned to take an aim and become the regional air transport hub.

There is need for a clear competitive scan and setting of strategies objectives that could bring the major airlines into Zambia. When the talk of diversification is discussed, the focus is usually on Agriculture, but the transport sector which has relatively higher margins and can support a high end value chain for food, tourism and engineering services can be harnessed to become a main economic earner for the country.

 

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Agribusiness

Zambeef Ltd has exceeded its Novatek feed production capacity target by 14% in 2018 leading to a production capacity of 44.4% compared to 30% projected target. Zambeef Deputy Managing Director Walter Roodt says its new US$10 million Novatek plant in Mpongwe District which opened in 2017 is already operating at 44% production capacity bringing the total monthly production capacity to 25,000 metric tonnes of feedstock.

“Our target at the time of opening was to achieve 30% capacity but that has been exceeded as we are currently at 44.4% capacity. We produced 200,846 tons of feed in 2018 compared to 155,795 tons in 2017. There is still much room for growth and we aim to maximize production at the plant over time,” the director said.

Roodt has also reported that the company is seeing immense growth in the demand for feed for the livestock sector particularly in poultry which is considered to be the more affordable source of meat-based protein in comparison to others such as beef, pork and goat. The proximity of Novatek’s Mpongwe plant to markets on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo will not only increase efficiencies of service in those markets but also led to reduction in distribution costs that farmers stand to benefit from.

Opportunities in the form of outlets in border towns such as Nakonde and Kasumbalesa have allowed Novatek to tap into the region’s neighboring countries growing markets thus providing both local farmers and those from surrounding areas to access feed tailored to their livestock.

Increased capacity at Novatek also entails increased demand for inputs for one of the country’s largest buyers of soybeans and maize. In 2018 alone, 164,724 tons of material was procured from small and medium scale farmers in the stockfeed operations.Nearly 25% of Novatek’s production is consumed by its internal livestock divisions within the Zambeef Products Group with the remainder channeled to the external market both within and outside Zambia.

As livestock production regains popularity in farming communities across Zambia, affordability and access to stock feed becomes increasingly important. This also leads to other linkages such as growth of demand for Maize and Soyabeans which local small and medium scale farmers can benefit from.

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Companies, Tech

Liquid Telecom Zambia, a leading communications solutions provider last week donated electrosurgical unit accessories for equipment critical in the treatment of cancer to Zambia’s largest hospital, the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).

The URO ONCOLOGY equipment will be used to treat all types of Cancer cells (especially prostate cancer). The donation of the advanced Equipment will enable UTH to provide practical training to medical students for specialised cancer treatment.

“It is indeed a great honour to make this contribution to the University Teaching Hospital. A University Teaching Hospital is a vanguard in the medical community due to its nature of developing new and better ways to care for patients through outcomes-based research and the utilisation of new technologies,” said Liquid Telecom Zambia Managing Director, Susan Mulikita.

The equipment will enable UTH to conduct cancer treatment operations with minimal blood loss. The new equipment will help UTH to be more efficient and treat more cancer patients as it reduces the surgery period from six hours to three hours. With this equipment, patients in Zambia will no longer have to travel outside the country for this high-end medical procedure but obtain the services locally.

Although the number of people who are getting screened for cancer has increased over the last number of years, this new development also comes with its own challenges. Treatment centers are disadvantaged when it comes to accurately diagnosing patients and proceeding to treat them with the appropriate technology.

The donation of the advanced Equipment will enable UTH to provide practical training to medical students for specialised cancer treatment. Liquid Telecom Zambia’s commitment is to support the education sector as it ties in directly with the overall ambition of “Building Africa’s Digital Future”.

The handover of the electrosurgical unit accessories is a demonstration of this commitment by Liquid Telecom to improve the quality of education in all areas of learning and offering technological support where necessary.

“I am happy to announce that this is only the beginning of our collaboration with the University Teaching Hospital,” the Liquid Telecom Zambia Managing Director revealed.

Liquid Telecom Zambia continues to work relentlessly to build a network like no other in Zambia; one that delivers benefits to all customers, from the largest corporate to the one man with his phone on the street.

The company provides leading cloud-based services, such as Microsoft Office365, Microsoft Azure and innovative digital content provision including Netflix and Kwesé TV across its fibre footprint.

Photo below is the Liquid Telecom equipment presentation to the UTH

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Companies, Tech

Liquid Telecom has appointed Susan M’kandawire Mulikita as CEO of Liquid Telecom Zambia to accelerate growth and market penetration across the country.

Based in Zambia, Susan joined the company on 14 January 2019 and becomes the first female to join Liquid Telecom’s Southern Africa regional executive leadership team as CEO. Susan is also the first female CEO responsible for ICT in Zambia.

“This senior appointment marks an exciting new step in Liquid Telecom’s strategy to build Africa’s digital future,” said Wellington Makamure, CEO of Liquid Telecom’s Southern Africa Region.

“Susan’s exceptional talent and experience willbring greater synergy to the Southern Africa region, and enable more customers to capitalise on Liquid Telecom’s connectivity, hosting, co-location and digital solutions portfolio – driving innovation and growth across the region.

Susan’s appointment is particularly significant as it demonstrates Liquid Telecom’s continued focus on diversity and inclusiveness, especially at a regional level.” Susan has more than 20 years’ ICT experience, operating at a senior level for both private sector and public organisations.

This includes Airtel where she was responsible for telecommunications and ICT law, policy, regulation and stakeholder management. Susan is a graduate of the University of Zambia having attained a Bachelor of Laws Degree there and a Master of Laws (ICT) from the Buckinghamshire New University (UK). Susan is also a qualified practitioner of Telecoms/ICT Policy, Law, Regulation and Management.

“This is an exciting time to be joining Liquid Telecom Zambia,” she said. “The company offers a superior service at both carrier and retail level and is poised to compete successfully in the Zambian ICT and telecoms landscape. I look forward to working collaboratively with our partners, government and other stakeholders to deliver innovative and compelling ICT and telecoms services. I am also very pleased to join a brand that promotes equal opportunities and inclusive leadership at the highest levels of the organisation.”

 

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