The Government of the Republic of Zambia is seriously engaging in economic diversification to reduce it’s over reliance on copper exports.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC Africa, Mr. Henry Sakala Acting Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Director General said government had identified some priority sectors for investment, which include manufacturing, tourism, agricultural, mining and construction.
Mr. Sakala told CNBC that in the agricultural sector, government has identified farm blocks in all the ten provinces of the country.
“Government has secured about hundred thousand hectors of land for industrial development in all the ten provinces to provide marketing thrust by purchasing the major products in the farm block and adding value for local and export markets. Government will facilitate such things such as power, roads and water,” he said.
Mr. Sakala added that in the manufacturing sector, government has among other things introduced the Multi-facility Economic Zones (MFEZ), which will be rolled out to all the provinces of the country.
He said government is calling on the private sector to partner with government and invest in the MFEZ such as the Lusaka South and Lusaka East MFEZ facilities.
Mr. Sakala added that government has made strides in the construction sector in terms of road development with the Link Zambia 8000, Lusaka 400 and upgrading of the railway system.
“Government is working on the rail line that will link Zambia to the port of Lobito in Angola which is a shorter access to the sea. It is also working on linking Tazara Railway to the port of Nakala through Chipata,” he said.
He added that the airports are also being improved to international standards so as to make Zambia a business hub.
Mr. Sakala adds that government is also working on improving the hydro-power system in the country.
“40 percent of the water in the SADC region is in Zambia, so, government is engaged in various power projects to curb the power deficits in the country and looking at the possibilities of exporting to the countries in the sub-region.”
Mr. Sakala called on all investors world over to consider investing in Zambia as it is the best investment destination in the sub region.
Iwe Sakala aya ama ballpen yonse ayo, finshi uchita nayo; bushe ebuchibinda mwa . I wish those thoughts do not just end up as political talk .
Zambians need to wake up from slumber and start doing things for themselves . the so called rich Zambians have never impressed me even the university graduates they luck thinking abilities to come up with new ideas .To move our country forward we need thinkers , deep thinkers not lazy impractical complaining paper holders ; ever looking for jobs but job creators . all what to hear from them is crying about jobs.
Nshilimubemba eeehh……sosa sosa icalo cilekumfwa.
Quote: “Zambia is seriously engaging in economic diversification to reduce it’s over reliance on copper exports… ZDA Director General said government had identified some priority sectors for investment, which include … mining!!!
Is Henry Sakala aware that without proper infrastructure like roads and railways, it is practically impossible for the other industries he has mentioned – manufacturing, tourism and agriculture to thrive, let alone exist?
Construction of proper infrastructure is therefore the first priority for our government before we can start talking about diversification.
Crying 4 jobs like those six attention seekers. Let’s roll up our brainz zambianz and not jst tapping like cry babies. The land is fertile 4 any kind of business entrepreneural .there is political & economical stabilities the favorable conditions
@ Mr DC
Please stop blabbing whilst still suffering from hangover!!!
“…there is political & economical stabilities the favorable conditions…””
Which country you are referring to?
There are too many agencies and deputy ministers in Zambia. I doubt very much that pronouncements from such a superfluous desk can translate into anything tangible. Come on! We already learned in Civics that Zambia was a mixed economy and was moving away from copper and diversifying into agriculture and manufacturing. Guess what? That was the 70s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Roads are done already my friend what’s remaining is your involvement. Politics later. Its our country whether you like the president or not.
GRZ, for how long have we been hearing this song??? Sometimes it’s just good to act and let the action speak.
Zambians did you know that we have 60million hacters of erible land and only use 4 million.
They think land is diminishing. Just watch f.o.o.l.s building houses on play park land! It is as ridiculous as it is pathetic.
arable is the word. Thanks for sharing the info – organic farming is the new world order.
Sakala is Edgar Chagwa’s Cousin
“…ZDA Director General said government had identified some priority sectors for investment…”
Wow!!!
Can ZDA point to the legal/statutory framework which will facilitate such development?
And before anybody mention ZDA Act, the same is absolute, out of time and just contribute to corruption without any tangible benefit to the treasury.