ZAMBIA’S High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba on Wednesday, 27th January, 2016 met several of South Africa’s top commercial farmers whom he urged to take advantage of Zambia’s investor-friendly environment and the abundant arable land.
Mr. Mwamba said Zambia was one of the few countries in the world that had the most conducive environment for investment anchored by political stability.
He said the usual narrative of conflict in Africa did not apply to Zambia as the country has never experienced this from the time it became independent 51 years ago but has managed to peacefully transfer power to six presidents through elections.
“Zambia is one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. We have huge tracts of arable land across a country of over 700, 000 square kilometres but unfortunately we only utilise about 10 per cent of this. You can fly into Zambia today to register your company and within 24 hours the process would have been completed,” he said.
Mr. Mwamba noted that Zambia would be going to elections later this year and that there were several candidates that had expressed interest in contesting the presidency but “I have faith in President Lungu because he is God fearing.”
“We have been spared from conflict because we put God first. It is not by accident that we have continued enjoying peace in this country which has been officially declared a Christian nation,” he added.
Mr. Mwamba pointed out that Government was now focusing on agriculture as the alternative sector to drive Zambia’s economy.
“We are calling on you the farmers to come and assist us diversify our economy. And what we are encouraging is that you come in and set up an out-grower scheme arrangement with the communities. This will in turn also earn you good reputation as you will be showing that you are a good corporate citizen,” he said.
The High Commissioner urged the farmers to join the Zambia South Africa Business Council which could assist them in addressing some of the challenges they would face in trying to enter Zambia.
Mr. Mwamba was speaking at a seminar jointly organised by Agri All Africa (AaA) and Agri Zambia in Pretoria where he addressed about 50 of the cream of South Africa’s commercial farmers who are members of AaA.
AaA was formed by South African commercial farmers with the aim of supporting the development of commercial agriculture in Africa which they have recognised as the key driver of the continent’s economic development.
And Agri-Zambia Managing Director, Mr. Landon Romano told the farmers that Zambia was eager and committed to agricultural development and to promote itself economically.
Mr. Romano, who spoke about organised farming value and agribusiness propositions in his presentation, pointed out that Agri Zambia was able to assist the farmers access land and also facilitate the registration of their companies in Zambia.
He assured that there was investment guarantees and protection against state nationalisation through the Certificate of Registration for any investment under the Zambia Development Agency Act of 2006.
“Zambia is eager to maximise benefits from its natural resources. You should treat Zambia as the nucleus of how you want to grow your agricultural business because I can assure you that Zambia has great potential to become the food basket of the region,” Mr. Romano said.
Agri Zambia, under the mandate of AaA, represents a team of Zambian and international businessmen, who focus on maximising stakeholders’ value through both non-commercial organised agriculture and commercial agriculture interests.
You are working my guy, God bless you . Another KOLOPA to your party this year.
Excellent. Boers are very good at commanding the African Land and it’s people. History has proven it. We are most impressed with all efforts PF is making and we can swallow our pompous pride. We are need help.
Mwamba is working, very hard working here in SA….. BUT, you are working for the wrong guy, Jameson. The guy that understands investment and farming is HH – and he is the in-coming President.
I hope HH will keep this man as ambassador to SA. Results are there for anyone to see. The man is working. This is good utilization of our taxes , paying a hard working civil servant like Mr Mwambsa.Instead of just using our money to fund cadres to fan violence.
I see no results! What has this guy done that is noteworthy?
What I think is, this guy has signed a pact with LT to prop him up for a run for president sometime soon. Mark I word. He is the most featured of all ambassadors/High Commissioners featured here.
And as Kotondo Boy, in the months before the last presidential interim election, he was all over the pages. Any coincidence?
Kaya mwandi!
This is where you lamentably fail to market the country…surely how can you use words like “assist” us in diversifying the economy….imagine you walk in shoprite and the manager says assist us by buying these imported beer off our shelves…a farmer wants to hear about cost of producing and profit; forget political stability.
We have ZDA for a reason you Mwamba let them do the marketing not you who wants a cut…merely attend as top official.
Cizungu baba! Cuvuta. “Zambia was officially declared a Christian nation…” Right off the butt you are discouraging people who might think you use your religious beliefs to to legislate. Besides, how does a country being Christian help one become a good Jatropha grower?
One of our problems is that we attach great importance to things that mean anything to people we beg from. We be like, “…boss ini ikilenikoni ka wanu kwacha nikagulilemo ana ka pamela azafe na najala.” Ana? Ni ana ake pakuti apasidwe obligation to feed them tu?
It means you are very docile and blind followers !!
Jealous down Mwamba is a hard worker,Keep it up my bro …!!
Ba Mwamba
Much as you are trying hard to work, find better words and reasons for potential investors to come to Zambia. Is having a dull president pretending to be God fearing a best reason that can lure serious investors come in Zambia. Investors are interested to listen to the economical direction of the govt. led by the president. ECL has not told anyone what he really want to do for the country. He only talked about value addition when he was campaigning and all what we are seeing are China-led solar maize hammermills whose sustainability is highly questionable.
Please come up with an official policy/economic direction which you can sell to the would be investors
Hh is not a president u dreamers. Hes just a commoner likevu & me. Therez no vacancy. Vacancy will b in 2021
jealous bane ikamipaya, the guy is doing a good job whether he is doing it for political interests or not, we all know that he is a politician, so whats the big deal ????we all know that he wants to be matero mp and maybe president later SO WHAT ??????????
WHO DOESNT WANT TO BE PRESIDENT AMONG THE PEOPLE MAKING NOISE??????????????????
Maybe even you reading this crap, you are also interested.
This ka HH what has he told the Zambians about how he is going to revive Zambia s economy apart from his desire to bring ANGLO AMERICA????
BLARRY BASKET BA MAKAKA IMWEE, SHA !!!!
TWALA MIKOLOPA LIKE IT OR NOT, BY ALL MEANS .