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Companies

TAZAMA Pipelines Limited has declared a dividend of K105 million to the Zambian government for the financial year ended December 31, 2024. This payout follows a financial performance by the company, which generated a total revenue of K1.4 billion and a profit of K632 million, marking a commendable 17.5% increase in profit compared to 2023.

Economic expert Salwindi Notulu has commended TAZAMA’s move, highlighting its positive implications for the national treasury and the country’s energy sector. In an interview with Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Notulu stated, “TAZAMA Pipelines Limited delivering over K105 million Kwacha shades positivity in its operations because it creates confidence that the country’s energy sector is heading in the right direction.”

He added that this revenue injection will significantly boost government coffers and signals the company’s operational health. The announcement comes amidst a dynamic period for Zambia’s energy sector, characterized by the implementation of an open access policy for the TAZAMA pipeline and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB)’s recent approval of 43 license applications and 6 construction permits across the petroleum, electricity, and renewable energy sectors. These approvals represent a total investment of approximately K3.9 billion. This development naturally raises the question of its potential impact on fuel prices.

With increased competition facilitated by the open access policy and a surge in new players entering the market, stakeholders are keenly observing whether these factors will translate into a significant reduction in fuel costs for Zambian consumers.

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TAZAMA Pipelines Limited has declared a dividend

Agribusiness

Soybeans is one of the main crops in Zambia, and holds a wide value vain, culminating in products such as cooking oil, animal feed, soya porridge and many others.

The recent 2025 crop survey conducted by the Zambia Statistics Agency ZamStats revealed that the country’s Soybeans harvest is standing at over 288 thousand metric tons, which the National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia Executive Director Ebony Lolozhi considers to be a decrease – owing to the fact that Zambia in the past had hit its peak in terms of output, at around 475 metric tons.

National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia Executive Director, Ebony Lolozhi has attributed the reduction due to the Food Reserve Agency FRA withdrawing from the Soybeans market in the 2023 when the country recorded around 475 thousand metric tons of soybeans, which led to farmers being exploited by the private sector. “When the country recorded an harvest output of about 475 thousand metric tons, that was the time when the Food Reserve Agency FRA decided to pull down from the Soybeans market, letting the private sector taking advantage of the farmers by offering them prices as low as K6 per Kg from prices which were as high as K18 per /kg”, Said Lolozhi.

He further added that this approach then discouraged many farmers from growing soybeans in fear of being offered less prices compared to their cost of production. What should be the way forward in encouraging farmers to grow soybeans looking at its wide value chain?

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Soybeans is one of the main crops

Agribusiness

The National Union for SmallScale Farmers of Zambia (NUSFAZ) has attributed the sharp decline in wheat production to the low engagement of smallholder farmers in wheat cultivation. ‎

Wheat production has plummeted by 35% in the 2024/2025 farming season, with yields dropping from 198,886 metric tons to 129,523.51 metric tons, according to the latest crop survey released by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats).

‎Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times_ZBT, NUSFAZ President Frank Kayula revealed that despite years of promotion, participation in wheat farming remains alarmingly – low especially among smallholder farmers. He said fewer than 50 farmers are currently involved in rain-fed wheat cultivation in areas such as Mpika. ‎“Only a few farmers are growing rain-fed wheat,” said Dr. Kayula. “However, government has now initiated plans to revamp smallholder engagement through the introduction of two locally developed wheat varieties that are suitable for rain-fed farming.”

‎Kayula further noted that the drop in wheat production has already triggered a rise in prices for wheat-based products, particularly bread and buns, which have become staple foods in many urban households. This situation, he said, is putting additional pressure on consumers. ‎“In shanty compounds, we are seeing bakeries being set up just to meet the rising demand for bread and buns. But the reduced wheat production poses a serious threat to this supply chain,” he explained. ‎

To cushion the shortfall, government has given a green light to grain traders and the Millers Association of Zambia to begin importing wheat. Kayula estimated that the country may need to import over 200,000 metric tons of wheat to meet current consumption levels. ‎“No wheat is being exported at the moment. Instead, we are importing. Government is keen to ensure that all wheat imports are properly accounted for and only used to fill the actual production gap,” he stated. ‎

Dr. Kayula also stressed that smallholder farmers, if well-supported, have the capacity to surpass commercial producers due to their sheer numbers and flexibility. ‎“The market for wheat is readily available. Products like bread, buns, and biscuits have become part of our everyday consumption. If government continues to support smallholder farmers, Zambia can become self-sufficient in wheat,” he said.

‎As Zambia braces for rising wheat-based product prices and increasing import dependence, Kayula said the call for greater smallholder involvement is more urgent than ever. He expressed optimism that with improved seed availability and enabling policies, the country could see a turnaround in the coming farming seasons.

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The National Union for SmallScale Farmers of

Football, Sport

Can Tenants departure, make Wanderers the land-lords of the Super League once again?

The Mighty have fallen short of glory in as many decades as close to three, they last won a trophy in 1996. Despite their up and down super league adventures, they remain the most decorated team with 49 trophies, and a second position in terms of league titles with 9 titles in their cabinet, with only Nkana FC above them who have 13 League titles.
It is interesting to note that Maite, have produced some of the most decorated players in the history of Zambia, players like 1988 African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya.
Last season the team amassed an 8th place finish, getting 13 wins and 6 losses in the process. All these under the guise of Coach Tenant Chilumba, who went on to spend eight months, despite attaining a somewhat decent outing, a mutual separation was agreed between him and management.
They have since ushered in former Muza FC Coach Lameck Banda, the man who steered the Mazabuka based side to a League Cup Final in the 2023 season and further led them to the Continental football.
“If you look at the track record of Banda and his assistant Bupe Chewe, they have developed into seasonal managers, they have proved superior especially with Muza, Banda delivered continental football for Muza, and a League Cup Final, and Wanderers are hoping he will replicate such, if he can go with the same philosophy, he can deliver, Maite has been starved of accolades for a long time,” said Football Analyst Augustine Mwanza.
He however called on the management of the club, to allow the coach custody of player decisions, highlighting that if the club continues in a similar trajectory, there might falter.
“If they want to see change, the management has to trust him, they should allow him to form a team that has his identity and then we are likely to witness some change.”
Mwanza sharply criticized the management of the club, stating that they have lacked a strategic long-term plan to steer the team forward.
This has culminated in the club not attracting valuable players, and hence the perpetual underperformance.
“This has also take a lot of hard work behind the scenes, short term and long term goals which will take the team back to the top where they used to be, if your back bone is bad, you cannot succeed, they need a strong goal keeper, a top centre back, they have the likes of Bwembya Kakungu who looks like a great player and we have seen him represent Zambia at Continental level, they really need to fix those spaces.
There is hype around the appointment of Banda, but only next season will tell, if the resurgence is real or still a dream.

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Can Tenants departure, make Wanderers the land-lords

Agribusiness

According to the recent 2025 crop survey program conducted by ZamStats, Zambia has recorded a total harvest of over 288 thousand metric tons of soybeans, but experts worry that farms may not really make a lot of money due to increased demand for genetically modified soyabean, which pose a threat to locally produced Non- GMO soyabeans.

Why are experts considering the importation of Genetically Modified soybeans as a threat to the local market? National Union for Small Scale Farmers in Zambia Executive Director Ebony Lolozhi has indicated that Genetically Modified soybeans imported from South Africa are usually sold at a cheap price making it hard for local soybeans farmers to compete on the market and risk to make a loss.

“ The importation of genetically modified soybeans is a threat on the market as it is sold at a cheaper price compared to locally produced Non- GMO soybeans discouraging our local farmers from engaging in soya production and risk making losses as they are forced to sell at a cheap price as well”, said Lolozhi.

Lolozhi has since emphasized on the need to reduce the importation of GMO soybeans in order to create a favorable market for soybeans farmers and help increase production. With growing interest in countries’ demand for soybeans produced in Zambia including China, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa Lolozhi noted that addressing the factors leading to less production can definitely increase productivity.

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According to the recent 2025 crop survey

Agribusiness

United Capital Fertilizer Zambia has reached a critical milestone in the construction and operationalisation of its ammonia and urea fertilizer plant, with the successful ignition of the first of three industrial boilers. This moment marks a key transition into the pre-commissioning phase of the plant and reflects significant progress on the journey to full-scale fertilizer production.

The ignition ceremony was a moment of pride and precision as engineers, technicians, and project managers witnessed the controlled ignition of Boiler One. The Boiler is now operational and supplying heat to the kilns, initiating the crucial drying process. This step is essential in removing all residual moisture from the kilns, ensuring that once coal is introduced, combustion will be efficient and uninterrupted.

This first boiler ignition is not just a technical achievement but a symbol of the plant’s growing readiness. Heating the kilns in stages over several months helps protect the equipment and allows the systems to gradually adapt to optimum operational temperatures. The safe and successful performance of this process is a major indicator that the plant is nearing readiness for commissioning.

Furthermore, Deputy Group CEO of Wonderful Group, Mr. Roy Mwamba, confirmed that Boiler Two is expected to be ignited in the coming weeks, further accelerating the momentum toward full operational capacity.

With this milestone, the plant now sits at 88% overall completion, with final stages including system testing, quality control checks, and full integration of the production line well underway.

Once fully operational, the plant will significantly add to the ongoing efforts to make Zambia self-sufficient in fertilizer production, removes reliance on imports, and enhance support for the country’s agriculture value chain.

This achievement reflects United Capital Fertilizer Zambia’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and long-term national impact in the agricultural sector.

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United Capital Fertilizer Zambia has reached a

Tech

Zambia’s decision to introduce a digital tax on foreign online service providers such as Meta owners of Facebook and Instagram has received a cautious endorsement from a local economist, who says the move is necessary but must be carefully managed to avoid stifling innovation and growth.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times, economist Dr. Nicholas Mainza said that while the digital tax is a step in the right direction to expand domestic revenue collection, it also poses potential risks if not well balanced. “You can call it an infant economy it’s in its infancy stage. What we’re seeing now are many tax reforms being introduced, like the digital taxing by the ZRA targeting platforms or network providers using mobile networks,” Dr. Mainza stressed.

The Zambia Revenue Authority in 2024 began implementing digital tax policies aimed at capturing revenue from foreign digital platforms operating in Zambia without a physical presence. Dr. Mainza noted that digital transactions in Zambia, particularly mobile money platforms such as Airtel Money, MTN Money, and Zamtel Kwacha, have seen massive volumes of cash flows with little regulatory oversight in the past. “Within a month, there are huge volumes of money being traded sending and receiving money and that’s a gap government needs to tap into. We, as economists, see it as a good move because a lot of tax revenue has been going unnoticed, especially among small and medium enterprises who are making money but not remitting tax,” he explained. He added that maximizing revenue collection from both individuals and companies doing business in the digital space is critical for growing the country’s economy.

“The tax must speak to the numbers and to the actual amounts being transacted. It must allow the companies and institutions to flourish; tax is not there to destroy a company. The ZRA must avoid imposing high rates that could kill businesses,” he cautioned. Dr. Mainza highlighted the unintended impact of digital platforms on traditional financial institutions, saying that mobile money services are introducing competition for banks. Yet, he views this positively. “It’s excellent competition. It will push banks to innovate and offer better services. But the mobile money operators must also be regulated under financial standards like any bank or microfinance institution,” he said.

With the rise in local and international digital transactions, the economist emphasized the importance of strong regulatory frameworks to ensure fairness and sustainability. “There’s no harm in the introduction of digital tax; it actually sits well with our economic goals. But it must be done in a balanced way that supports both revenue collection and the growth of SMEs and digital platforms,” Dr. Mainza said.

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Zambia’s decision to introduce a digital tax

Companies

Western Province is earmarked to receive a Hydro Power Station valued at $700 million, the station is expected to generate 180 mega watts of electricity once construction is completed.

The Country has continued to experience adverse power challenges, with the current ZESCO schedule indicating a supply of 7 hours per day per household. The power deficit has substantially affected many businesses and plummeted the growth of the economy.

According to the Ministry of Energy, Nyonge Falls Hydro Power Station, will greatly enhance the country’s renewable energy capacity and support sustainable development. Commenting on the initiative Energy Expert Engineer Boniface Zulu hauled the Government, highlighting that the country’s electricity deficit is currently standing at about 800/1000 megawatts, and increment in terms of generation capacity will yield more benefits in reducing electricity deficit.

“The country’s electricity deficit is somewhere around 800/1000 megawatts and any additional increase in power generation such as the 180 megawatts expected from Nyonge Hydro power station will play an important role in combating the current load shedding being experienced”, said Zulu.

However, Zulu stated that both government and the private sector have an important role to play in order to stabilize Zambia’s energy security and maintain a balance between power generation and demand, by utilizing the already established open access policy which is a very good initiative that will attract more investors to come on board. Zulu added that the open access policy should be necessitated by a cost reflective tariff which will incorporate the cost of generating electricity into the cost of selling, and encourage independent power producers and attract diversified investment in the energy sector.

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Western Province is earmarked to receive a

Companies

Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has announced a drastic reduction in rural electricity connection fees, cutting them from K4,800 to just K300. This significant policy shift is being widely hailed as a pivotal move set to transform energy access in Zambia’s underserved communities.

While the immediate benefits of this unprecedented fee reduction are clear in terms of fostering greater energy access, the drastic cut also prompts important questions among energy sector stakeholders regarding the long-term financial sustainability of the initiative. Such a substantial subsidy, while catalytic for rural connectivity, raises considerations about its ongoing funding model and potential implications for the financial health of REA and the broader electricity supply chain in the years to come.

Energy expert Boniface Zulu, has however commended the decision as a progressive step with substantial potential to mitigate Zambia’s reliance on unsustainable energy sources, such as charcoal and firewood. “It’s a very good move and a move in the right direction to encourage ordinary Zambians to utilize clean, alternative sources,” Zulu stated in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT. He highlighted that the current over-dependence on charcoal and firewood for heating and cooking contributes significantly to deforestation. “If we are encouraging them to come online on the grid, it helps reduce deforestation in the long run and improves Zambia’s carbon-neutral situation,” he added, emphasizing the initiative’s alignment with broader national climate goals.

The revised connection fee, a core component of REA’s strategy, is part of a comprehensive national effort to expand energy access, particularly in rural areas where electricity coverage significantly lags behind urban centers. While applauding the substantial subsidy, Zulu underscored the critical importance of tracking the program’s success beyond mere new connections. He stressed that a robust measurement of the rural electrification program’s impact should include data from ZESCO on the number of households connected, alongside the electrification of public facilities.

“The number of people that are going to be connected on the grid will be reviewed by ZESCO because that is a key indicator,” Zulu explained. He further noted REA’s crucial role in meticulously tracking the rollout. “The information will be kept by REA, of course, and the number of homes will be known – these are the homes that have been electrified. However, indicators can also be noticed through the number of hospitals or clinics, medical facilities, as well as public institutions such as police stations being electrified,” he advised.

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Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has announced a

Companies

While officials maintain the K1.1 billion Batoka–Maamba Road construction is “on schedule,” questions are being raised as the vital 88-kilometer stretch in Southern Province has reached only 30.7% completion, 14 months into its targeted 36-month rehabilitation period.

The project, overseen by the Road Development Agency (RDA), began in 2024 with a hefty budget, sparking debate over the pace of progress versus the significant investment.

Sinazongwe Town Council Secretary Choolwe Maunga, in an interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), reiterated that the “overall progress currently stands at 30.7 percent,” despite the project having consumed nearly 40% of its allotted time (14 out of 36 months). This disparity suggests the project is, in fact, falling behind its implied target, where approximately 40% completion would be expected by this stage to maintain a truly “on schedule” pace. Maunga did highlight completed foundational works, including culvert construction, clearing, grubbing, bridge piling, and the installation of box and portal culverts, stressing their “crucial” nature for durability.

However, for a road described as a “critical economic artery” for mining, agriculture, and tourism, the slower-than-anticipated progress continues to be a point of contention among those dependent on its full rehabilitation. The Batoka–Maamba Road has long been a lifeline, particularly for transporting coal from Maamba Collieries and providing access to the scenic Zambezi Valley, with its poor state having “hindered” tourism development for years.

Critics argue that while the project is underway, the prolonged wait for completion means the region continues to suffer from limited economic integration, trade, and investment opportunities.

On the employment front, the project has engaged a total of 472 workers, with 436 identified as Zambian nationals. While presented as a positive step towards local empowerment, the overall efficiency of the project and the direct impact of the K1.1 billion investments on timely completion remain under scrutiny as the district eagerly awaits the full realization of its promises.

The rehabilitation initiative is a joint effort involving China Geo-Engineering Corporation and Chipangano Builders JV, operating under the direct supervision of the Road Development Agency (RDA). Despite official reassurances, the gap between the declared progress and the elapsed timeline will likely keep the Batoka–Maamba Road project a subject of ongoing public and economic discussion.

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While officials maintain the K1.1 billion Batoka–Maamba

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