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It is with grave concern that I address recent incidents of political misconduct and misrepresentation of facts within our esteemed institutions. The actions of certain individuals, particularly Minister Gary Nkombo in one of the newspapers’ statements and the Speaker of the National Assembly’s behavior, are both disappointing and unacceptable.
Minister Nkombo’s treatment of women, as exemplified by his disregard for a woman selling kachasu, is deeply troubling. No individual, regardless of their position, should engage in such behavior, especially when it involves denying rightful compensation for losses incurred by the mother who was selling Kachasu. Such actions only perpetuate inequality and injustice within our society.
Furthermore, the misuse of parliamentary privileges to silence dissenting voices, as seen in the suspension of Members of Parliament like JJ Banda emanating from his Facebook post, is a blatant abuse of power. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, and it should never be curtailed under any circumstances, let alone through arbitrary and unjust measures. Moreover, all Zambians have a right to speak, and members of parliament enjoy parliamentary privileges while on the floor of the house.
Mr. Nkombo should not think Parliament is his house where he can tell a member of parliament Chisenga that she will go unpunished for calling the president a liar. It is imperative that Minister Nkombo, the Speaker, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and all those in positions of authority understand that their actions have consequences. No one is above the law, and those who engage in lawlessness while holding power will inevitably face accountability. History has shown us time and again that justice prevails, and those who exploit their positions for personal gain will ultimately answer for their deeds.
Moreover, we cannot overlook the issue of factual misrepresentation, particularly by our president Mr. Hakainde Sammy Hichilema. The recent instance of the President misrepresenting information about the severity of droughts in different years is deeply concerning. The truth matters, especially when it comes to matters of public interest and policy decisions.
The evidence is evident, the drought of 1991 impacted a larger portion of the population compared to the recent drought in 2024. The President’s claim that 2024 experienced the most severe drought in a century is erroneous and deceptive. Such distortions only erode the public’s faith and trust in our leadership.
Furthermore, in 1991, Zambia’s population stood at 7,888,466, with 4 million individuals affected by the drought, constituting 50.75841962% of the population. In Zambia as per the recent census of 2023, we are 20,569,737, and 6,000,000 people are affected by the drought representing 29.1690652146%. The drought suggests a divine sign possibly disapproving of UPND’s governance, and these are dangers of poor planning and selling maize to other nations.
As responsible citizens, it is our duty to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that truth and integrity prevail in our governance. I call upon all stakeholders to uphold the principles of justice, transparency, and accountability in the service of our nation.
The author is a legal scholar, comparative politics specialist. Email: [email protected]
The Minister of Sports, Elvis Nkandu, has directed the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to provide a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances that led to FIFA imposing restrictions on funds designated for football development in Zambia.
Nkandu expressed deep concern over the sanctions imposed by FIFA, which entail withholding over one million dollars allocated for football development. He emphasized that such actions could have significant repercussions on the growth and advancement of the sport in the country.
In particular, the Minister urged FAZ to expedite the resolution of outstanding financial obligations, notably the settlement owed to former Chipolopolo Coach Aljosa Asanovic. Nkandu stressed that failure to address these issues promptly could result in Zambia losing vital funding for football development from FIFA.
While acknowledging that his ministry had yet to receive official communication from FAZ regarding the matter, Nkandu affirmed that they were closely monitoring developments within the association.
Speaking to ZNBC News in Lusaka, Nkandu reiterated the importance of transparency and accountability in managing football affairs, particularly in light of FIFA’s stringent measures.
FIFA’s decision to impose restrictions on football development funds follows FAZ’s breach of contract, as outlined in a letter sent to the association. The global governing body for football warned of further, more severe measures if FAZ fails to demonstrate proof of payment to Asanovic by the next distribution of funds.
In response to inquiries, FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga indicated that the association would issue a statement at an appropriate time, refraining from further comment for the time being.
President Hakainde Hichilema has issued a fervent plea to the country’s creditors, urging them to resolve the ongoing stand-off over Zambia’s $13 billion debt restructuring deal. President Hichilema emphasized that the delay in reaching an agreement is not only concerning for Zambia but also reflects poorly on the credibility of the global financial system.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, President Hichilema highlighted the urgency of addressing the debt restructuring issue, describing it as long overdue. He stressed the critical importance of resolving the matter promptly, particularly in light of the challenges posed by poor rains, which have devastated much of Zambia’s maize harvest and adversely affected hydropower generation, a vital source of the country’s electricity.
Expressing his anticipation for a swift resolution, President Hichilema underscored the necessity of concluding a debt deal to provide Zambia with the resources needed to address the impacts of the drought. He likened the burden of the debt to a constricting python, inhibiting the country’s growth prospects and its ability to effectively mitigate the effects of the drought.
President Hichilema emphasized that Zambia has fulfilled its obligations and urged both official and private creditors to reciprocate by taking decisive action to resolve the debt stand-off. He commended the support received from various parties involved in the negotiations but urged all stakeholders to go the extra mile to finalize the transaction.
It’s imperative for Zambia to achieve a debt resolution to continue accessing the $1.3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout and to restore financial flows into the country. The successful resolution of the debt restructuring issue is crucial for Zambia’s economic stability and growth prospects.
President Hichilema’s impassioned appeal underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for concerted efforts to address Zambia’s debt challenges. As the country navigates through this critical juncture, the cooperation and support of creditors will be pivotal in paving the way for Zambia’s economic recovery and resilience.
President Hichilema’s call to action serves as a rallying cry for all stakeholders to prioritize Zambia’s debt restructuring and work towards a mutually beneficial resolution that ensures the country’s long-term financial sustainability and prosperity.
Zambia extends heartfelt congratulations to Vaughan Gething on his election as the First Minister of Wales, marking a historic milestone as the first Black leader of a government in the United Kingdom.
President Hakainde Hichilema congratulated the new First Minister of Wales, born in Zambia, Vaughan Gething, on his election to the highest office in his country.
“We look forward to enhancing bilateral relations between Zambia and the UK. Longyfarchiadau ar eich swydd newydd, da iawn. (Congratulations on the new job),” President Hichilema said.
Gething’s election as the government leader follows his recent victory in the contest to lead Wales’ governing Labour Party. His ascent to the highest office in Wales was sealed with 27 votes out of 51 in the legislature, the Senedd, where Labour holds the majority.
Wales, with a population of approximately 3 million, constitutes one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom, alongside England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. While the British government in London oversees defense and foreign affairs, regional administrations in Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Belfast govern areas such as education and health.
Gething’s political journey has been notable, having served as Wales’ health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently as economy minister, grappling with significant challenges such as Tata Steel’s plans to close blast furnaces at its Port Talbot plant.
Assuming leadership amidst turbulent times, Gething inherits a government often at odds with the Conservative administration in London. His leadership will navigate issues ranging from economic recovery to environmental protests, reflecting the diverse array of challenges facing Wales.
Gething’s historic achievement resonates deeply with his personal journey, born in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, in 1974. His family’s relocation to Wales saw him grow up in Dorset before returning to Wales as a student at Aberystwyth University. Despite facing challenges, including political divisions, during his university years, Gething’s amiable nature and resilience left a lasting impression on his peers.
His election as Welsh Labour leader underscores his dedication to public service and marks a significant moment in Wales’ political landscape. Zambia celebrates Gething’s achievement as a testament to the values of diversity, inclusion, and leadership, wishing him success in his new role as First Minister of Wales.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Rodney Sikumba says Zambia is looking forward to expanding existing areas of development cooperation and trade with the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Minister made these remarks in Berlin, Germany when he met his counterpart, Minister of Economy, Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry of the German State of Saxon-Anhalt, Mr Sven Schulze.
He reiterated Zambia’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial cooperation and understanding adding that the meeting was sought to bolster Zambia’s efforts in forging economic and trade ties in tourism with Saxon-Anhalt and Germany at large through Economic Diplomacy.
Hon. Sikumba stated that the bilateral relations between Zambia and the Federal Republic of Germany have remained steadfast despite changes in political leadership and that Zambia values the longstanding friendship with Germany that is premised on shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations at bilateral and multilateral levels.
He pointed out that Zambia has been observing the economic success in Saxon-Anhalt, particularly in investor service, location marketing and tourism marketing.
He noted that Zambia is aware of Saxon-Anhalt’s highly industrialised and diversified economy, which equally emphasises services such as tourism and production through its innovation hubs. He expressed confidence that Zambia would benefit immensely from the current advancement in these sectors.
Hon. Sikumba further said Zambia was ready to partner with Saxon-Anhalt in the tourism industry and leverage their robust tourism network and digital competence.
He acknowledged Germany’s prioritisation of Africa as a trade partner and emphasised that Zambia, in turn, was strategically positioning itself to pioneer strengthened economic and trade relations with Germany on the African continent.
Hon Sikumba commended the German Government for the regional development cooperation initiatives, particularly in the areas of education, focusing on TEVET crafts and trade institutions. He also appreciated Germany’s efforts in the conservation of historical artifacts and natural heritage sites, including museums, as well as its commitment to stewardship of natural resources, wildlife conservation and protection of biodiversity.
The meeting between the two Ministers was held on the margins of the ITB Berlin Trade Show.
Issued by Lubinda Kashewe
First Secretary-Press
Berlin, Germany
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized and withdrawn from the market more than 1000 cases of non-compliant packaged water in Lusaka, valued at more than K84,000.
This action follows the Agency’s intensified open-market surveillance inspections conducted in Lusaka from March 13 to 15, 2024, aimed at curbing the illegal sale of products covered by compulsory standards.
Some affected suppliers and manufacturers have since initiated the process of regularizing the licensing of the products in line with the requirements of the Compulsory Standards Act No. 3 of 2017.
The products were seized in various townships including Emmasdale, Industrial Area, Chipata, Kanyama, Chawama, Town Centre, Kamwala South, 10 Miles, Ngwerere, Obama, and Waterfalls Townships.
This enforcement activity in Lusaka aimed to ensure that only safe products are supplied to consumers, as unlicensed products have the potential to pose a risk to consumer safety.
The Agency inspects both imported and locally produced packaged water to ensure compliance with the Zambian Standard ZS 388: Bottled Drinking Water – Specification. The packaged water is tested by competent laboratories for compliance with the compulsory standard requirements.
Products covered by compulsory standards, including bottled water, are only allowed on the market once they comply with regulatory requirements. No one is legally allowed to supply any product covered by a compulsory standard without the authority of the Agency.
Furthermore, the Agency regularly conducts post-market surveillance to ensure continued compliance.
ZCSA urges manufacturers to package bottled water in compliance with the compulsory Zambian Standard for Bottled Water ZS 388: Bottled Drinking Water – Specification. Manufacturers must also obtain authority from the Agency before supplying products covered by compulsory standards on the market to safeguard consumer safety. Going forward, the Agency will intensify enforcement activities on all regulated products to safeguard consumer safety.
Currently, ZCSA regulates 61 imported and locally manufactured products falling within the scope of Compulsory Standards, covering food products, beverages, chemicals, fertilizers, cement, household electrical appliances, among others.
The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, established by the Compulsory Standards Act No.3 of 2017, to administer, maintain, and ensure compliance with compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety, health, consumer, and environmental protection.
Issued by:
Brian Hatyoka | Head of Communications
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency
Damage to submarine fiber optic cables requires a multi-step process of inspection and repair
Internet outages in at least 10 countries in Africa, many undersea cables damaged, expected to take 5 weeks to repair. At least 10 countries in West Africa have experienced network outages since Thursday (14th), with South Africa also affected.
At least 10 countries in West Africa have experienced network outages since Thursday (14th), with South Africa also affected.
Bloomberg, Agence France-Presse, The Times of India, and other media reported that multiple undersea cables in Africa have been damaged, affecting internet services for millions of users. The cause of the cable damage remains unclear, although seabed movement is one of the possible causes.
As a direct result, internet access in a dozen African countries was severely disrupted on Thursday due to ‘faults’ in several undersea telecom cables. The cause of the incident is also questionable, as a similar situation occurred in Europe not long ago.
Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) said on 17 November that it had held meetings with four service providers and that it expected the repair of the undersea cables to take at least five weeks to complete before services could be fully restored.
South Africa’s MTN Group, one of Africa’s largest internet providers, said the continued internet outages were due to the failure of several major submarine cables, and that it was actively working on restoring transmissions through alternative network paths. MainOne, a West African ISP, said on the 17th that it is actively working to restore service to some of its customers through the cable system that is still available.
Status of the Internet in West Africa
West Africa refers to the western part of Africa, which consists of fifteen sovereign countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea. Although the Internet penetration level of the whole of Africa is still at the bottom of the global Internet level, the Internet usage rate in Ghana, Benin, and other countries in West Africa has risen highly in recent years. This is because various developed and developing countries in the world have provided infrastructure assistance to the African region.
Among them, Ghana is the eighth largest economy in Africa, the second largest e-commerce market in West Africa, and one of the fastest-growing Internet markets in the entire African continent. Moreover, Ghana, with its favorable geographical environment, political stability, and friendly business environment, is known as “the center of Africa’s economic renaissance”.
Among ZMS Cables’ customer base, Ghana’s demand for cables and Internet power accessories has been increasing, which also indicates that the country has been vigorously developing its power transmission and distribution and Internet sectors in recent years.
According to the Global Digital Overview 2023 report, Ghana’s internet penetration reached 53% in 2022 with 16.99 million users, and the active social media-using population was 8.8 million, or about 27.4% of the total population, with 47% of the population still without access to the internet.
Following the damage to the internet in parts of West and Central Africa, Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has noted that service providers have located the approximate location of the damage and are ready to dispatch repair vessels. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also said that submarine cable operators said they were actively working on repairs and that services were gradually being restored.
Data from NetBlocks, a network monitoring organization, showed severe disruptions in network connectivity in several West African countries, including Ivory Coast, Liberia, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon. Several network companies in South Africa also reported service disruptions.
Impact of Damaged Submarine Cables
Submarine cables are known to be very troublesome when they suffer from faults and damage. Submarine cables are an important physical communication tool that connects all parts of the globe, and under normal circumstances, countries are serious about maintaining them. However, when they are damaged, they are faced with some tricky problems.
First of all, the main purpose of submarine fiber optic cables is for communication between countries around the world, once the communication routes are cut off, people with the outside world will certainly be affected to a certain extent. As for how big the impact is, ZMS Cable believes that it depends on the degree of damage to the submarine cables, if all the external fiber optic cables are cut off, then people in the outside world will certainly be interrupted, which will lead to the inability to access some foreign websites or servers.
Secondly, there are a large number of financial settlements every day in the world, which include settlements between trade transactions, settlements between investment and financial management, and settlements between individual remittances. Especially for some big trading countries, the daily financial settlement is very large, if the undersea fiber optic cable is cut off, when the communication is blocked, a lot of financial settlements will indeed be greatly affected.
But if only part of the cable is damaged, the impact will not be too great, unless the cable between China and the United States is completely interrupted, then the impact will indeed be greater.
Because the global Internet root server is in the United States, we visit many Web sites, we have to resolve through the U.S. root server to be able to access normally.
It was noted that the affected cables are the West African Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT-3, and MainOne. a spokesperson for Cloudflare, a network analytics firm, said that repairs could take weeks to months depending on the location of the damage, what needs to be repaired, and the local weather conditions.
Ghana’s main stock exchange extended trading hours by an hour on the 14th and 15th due to the network service disruption, while banking services in Nigeria had been paralyzed.
Digital revolution holds bright promise for Africa
Through this West African undersea internet outage, ZMS can observe that much of Africa is changing the economic status and educational development of a region or even a country through the internet zone.
Internet penetration in Africa is slowly rising, bringing the prospect of a digital dividend to a continent that has long been mired in the digital divide.
“Africa’s (Internet) penetration has crossed the 15 percent mark, which is significant,” said scientist Nii Quaynor. Quaynor, who played a key role in the introduction and development of the Internet in Africa, is known as the continent’s “father of the Internet”.
However, Africans are still unable to develop enough software, applications, and tools to deliver much-needed dividends to economies.
In less than a decade, Africa’s Internet has shifted from satellite connections to low-cost submarine connections. New submarine fiber optics have significantly increased data transmission capacity and greatly reduced transmission time and costs.
Steve Song, the founder of Village Telecom, which aims to develop low-cost hardware and software for telephony networks, says that today, with 16 undersea fiber optic cables connecting Africa to the Americas, Europe, and Asia, international interconnections are no longer a big problem. Countries are thus able to share information more directly within the continent and globally, which creates more space for innovation, research, and education.
“The network has ended the isolation of African scientists and researchers. People now have access to information from more developed countries and this is changing the way people think”, says Meoli Kashorda, Director of the Kenya Education Network.
As early as 2017, Kenya surpassed most countries in West Africa in terms of internet usage. in 2017 Kenya surpassed Nigeria as the top African country in terms of internet penetration at 83%, with Nigeria coming second at 81%.
Leveling the playing field on the internet
Technology is also helping to reduce inequalities caused by education gaps. UNESCO data shows that the out-of-school rate in Africa is more than one-fifth for children aged 6 to 11; one-third for adolescents aged 12 to 14; and almost 60 percent for youth aged 15 to 17.
On the bright side, the potential of the Internet to close the education gap in Africa will increase with the spread of mobile Internet. E-learning continues to grow due to its affordability and accessibility. By 2022, the market size for e-learning in Africa will reach $1.4 billion. This will enhance the education level of the African workforce, which in turn will contribute positively to African economies.
The submarine cables laid around Africa must be reconditioned and maintained; after all, the cost of repair and maintenance of submarine cables can be very cumbersome and expensive.
Here, ZMS gives a few common ways of repairing submarine cables.
Failure of submarine cables is generally divided into two types: the first type is external damage, which is caused by the anchor hooks of salvage sand boats and fishing boats. The second is the aging of the insulation itself, that is, internal failure. This time, it is the external failure.
The first step is to use an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to locate the approximate fault location, and then with the help of an underwater robot, find the exact location of the broken submarine cable through scanning and inspection.
The OTDR uses the principle of time-domain reflection to send and receive a complete set of signals, which are reflected at the location of the break and compares the reflected signals with the shape of the signals and the time of day calculated by a mathematical algorithm to locate the exact position of the broken fiber.
In the second step, the robot will be buried in the seabed fiber optic cable dug out, and then cut it, respectively, the cut ends tied to the rope lowered on the ship and pulled out of the sea.
The third step is on the ship to complete the repair fusion. This fusion splicing process is quite complex because the cable must be fused to the hair-thin fiber one by one.
In the fourth step, after the new submarine fiber optic cable is connected, it has to be tested repeatedly to ensure that the communication and data transmission are normal.
In the fifth step, the repaired submarine fiber optic cable is thrown back into the sea and then covered with sediment using a robot.
Submarine cables that have encountered many bumps in the road
The submarine cable was destroyed in not one or two years only once, with the global submarine cable in recent years, coupled with the disharmony between the various countries, always produces some friction in the construction of submarine cables.
For example, the Red Sea submarine cables were cut off in a boisterous incident some time ago. In early March, at least four Asia-Europe communication cables passing through the Red Sea were sabotaged, directly affecting 25% of the data traffic between Asia and Europe. Despite previous threats made by Houthi operatives on social media about underwater cables in the Red Sea, the Houthis stated that the cables were damaged to clear the air of responsibility.
At the end of 2022, France stated to the public that three fiber optic cables under the Atlantic Ocean had been severed, causing connectivity failures around the world, while news also came from the UK that the internet cable near the Deland Islands was also offline.
The Gambia Submarine Cable (GSC) has revealed that the ACE submarine fiber optic cable system has been repaired and internet usage is back to normal. On January 1, 2021, the submarine cable failed, thus affecting internet services in The Gambia.
The Asia-Africa-Europe (AAE-1) international submarine fiber optic cable failed on the morning of September 27, resulting in the loss of all international Internet traffic from Vietnam to Singapore. Representatives of Vietnam’s Internet Service Providers (ISPs) were informed of this information yesterday
When we learnt that some senior citizens in Lusaka, retired Arch Bishop Telesphore Mpundu and one Brebner Changala to be specific, in their capacity as Our Civic Duty Association (OCIDA) had written the US Embassy suggesting that sanctions must be imposed on President Hichilema and some of his government officials, we were left flummoxed and speechless! We remained scratching our heads during the most part of day trying to figure-out what we had missed during our excursion from civilization tending to our goats in the village, to be greeted by calls of such drastic measures on our return.
As Mpundu was jumping onto a Washington bound to escalate their petition with US officials…….well according to Social media; back home, the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) chairman, eminent lawyer, Sakwiba Sikota, who we believe still has some unfinished business to settle with Hichilema for outclassing him for the UPND top position, was informing the media that they intend to submit a supplementary petition to the US government to reinforce the need for targeted sanctions against Hichilema and other top government officials for alleged human rights violations.
We rather got even more confused when some members of OCIDA distanced themselves from the letter written to the United States embassy in Zambia.
“Just like the decision to write to the US embassy, most of the statements have been issued by the OCIDA Chairperson without consulting other members,” revealed the OCIDA Trustee, Leslie Mbula, in a statement. “We therefore disown it and ask those associated with it to resign from the association on moral grounds.”
Where does this leave Mpundu and his friend, Changala? They’ve actually been exposed that they are part of the cartel which is motivated by sheer bitterness and pathological hatred for an individual, hence see nothing resorting to such acts of extreme unpatriotism.
The problem with those folks in Lusaka is that they tend to think our capital is Zambia and vice versa; whatever they say must be taken as the golden truth. However, those of us domiciled in other precincts across the country will tell you that after 7 years of anguish and misery, we’re finally enjoying a whiff of fresh air, some economic challenges notwithstanding. Violent party cadres that used to terrorise our citizens in the markets and bus stations have since been flashed a red card; every Jim and Jack can now go live on air and blatantly criticise the government, if they want to, without any risk of violent party cadres, some of them now serving as MPs, descending on them and beating them to pulp or indeed emptying the contents of theirs bowels into the mouths of helpless journalists; constituency development fund is being dispersed to every corner of the nation in equal measures in good time – ask Sunday Chanda; civil service jobs are being handed-out to citizens without discrimination; the opposition is allowed ample space to mobilise without any encumbrances – the list is of course, endless!
Now, where’s this hullabaloo about imposing sanctions emanating from? What sort of gross human rights violations has Hichilema’s administration committed to deserve sanctions as compared to the previous absolutely corrupt and brutal Patriotic Front regime?
Curiously, some opposition leaders have always taken pleasure in mocking and taunting Hichilema as a puppet of the West; in their warped thinking, a collection of Caucasians huddled in air-conditioned offices in Washington, London and Paris simply have to pull some strings and our president obliges without any qualms! Those who personally know HH will tell you the man is not a pushover. During his boardroom days, he’d authoritatively present his case and maintain his ground until he got what he wanted. True to this strong trait in him, Hichilema along with Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and William Samoei Ruto of Kenya recently issued a joint statement in the influential Economist Magazine, on the need to reform the global financial systems that must treat Africa fairly.
“Firstly, African leaders must be bold in promoting their ideas and participating when decisions are being made that affect the continent. The three of us have made it clear that we will not sign on to global regulations and agreements that are not shaped with our input,” part of the statement reads.
And during his state visit to Botswana early this year, Hichilema encouraged that country not to accept unfair trade conditions especially those that undermine and substitute decision making by African mineral producing countries.
Do you still want to insist Hichilema is a puppet of the West when he’s simply trying his level best to do business with everyone to extricate us from our current economic quagmire?
Well, unlike our colleagues in the East, one decent thing about the West even if they may have their own weaknesses, since we are all fallible, is that they won’t easily “bankroll” you before you satisfy certain benchmarks or conditionalities – how is your government dealing with corruption? Are fundamental human rights being upheld? Is there ample room for the proliferation of democracy in the nation? It’s totally unwise for anyone to expect Western embassies to rely on their twisted reports when they have their own ‘spooks’ lurking in their embassy buildings that actively monitor the prevailing conditions in the nation.
And just in case our friends have missed it, the United States government, through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has announced $367 million (9.2 billion Kwacha) of new support toward Zambia’s national HIV response over the next year. In addition to this, Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has also revealed that the World Bank will provide 100 million dollars under the National Energy Advancement and Transformation- NEAT- programme aimed at improving the operations of the power utility company ZESCO whereas the Irish government has committed 300, 000 Euros towards the efforts to address the devastating challenges arising from the drought situations.
If indeed dictatorship is looming and blossoming in our beloved nation, how come the West is still ‘raining’ funds on us and still considering more funding to come out way, including debt restructuring by the International Monetary Fund?
President Hakainde Hichilema is scheduled to officiate the official handover of Mopani Copper Mine in Kitwe to its new Strategic Equity Partner on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s mining sector. However, amidst this development, criticisms have surfaced regarding the sale of the mine to a foreign investor.
“International Resources Holding, operating through its subsidiary Delta Mining, has injected $130 million into Mopani Copper Mines, signaling a robust commitment to the mine’s expansion and growth,” announced a government spokesperson, highlighting the substantial investment poised to revitalize the operation.
The anticipated rebound of the Copperbelt economy is expected to create 2,000 direct job opportunities and an additional 1,000 indirect employment prospects, according to government projections.
“Notably, substantial progress has been made in settling outstanding payments to contractors, with approximately 80 percent of contractors and suppliers already compensated,” Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe revealed, underscoring the positive impact of the impending handover.
Kabuswe further elaborated on the allocation of funds from the new equity partner, stating, “A significant portion of the $1.1 billion investment by the equity partner would be allocated to clearing arrears owed to contractors, suppliers, and addressing debt obligations to Glencore.”
“Under President Hichilema’s leadership, the government has successfully reduced Mopani’s debt from $1.5 billion to $300 million,” Kabuswe emphasized, highlighting the administration’s commitment to financial stability and responsible management.
However, not all voices are in harmony with this decision. Howard Kunda, leader of the Zambia Wake-Up Party (ZAWAPA) and former Muchinga Member of Parliament, vehemently condemned the sale of Mopani Copper Mines to a foreign investor.
“Zambia will only fully benefit from the mines through ownership,” Kunda argued, expressing concerns about relinquishing control of the nation’s wealth to external entities. “We have seen that the interest of this Government is to sell this country to outsiders,” he added.
Kunda emphasized the need for Zambians to take charge of their economic destiny, advocating for greater local ownership and control of key sectors like mining. He urged President Hichilema to reconsider the government’s approach to foreign investment in strategic industries, cautioning against the perceived sale of the country’s wealth.
Despite the criticism, the government remains steadfast in its decision to facilitate the handover of Mopani Copper Mine, signaling a renewed era of investment and development in Zambia’s mining sector. As the nation navigates this pivotal moment, the debate surrounding foreign investment and ownership of critical assets continues to unfold, shaping the trajectory of Zambia’s economic future.
Advocacy is one of my greatest priorities as the founder of the African Energy Chamber (AEC). For years, I have been making a case for the growth of Africa’s energy industry by shining a light on the harsh realities of energy poverty across the continent, demonstrating the need for African industrialization, stressing the importance of establishing political and economic climates that are attractive to foreign investment, and so on.
While our advocacy efforts are far from over, I am pleased to note the many positive developments in the sub-Saharan regions that now motivate me to spotlight certain emergent opportunities and a strategic approach to capitalizing on them.
At present, considering the number of promising energy projects currently under way and the numerous trade opportunities arising, from natural gas production in particular, I am compelled to emphasize the need for cross-border cooperation among all the nations and producers involved in these efforts, which will be vital if we are to achieve true prosperity throughout the continent.
Africa’s Current Natural Gas Landscape
As detailed in Standard Bank’s recently released strategic discussion document, “South African Gas Optionality,” Africa holds natural gas in abundance, both onshore and off, accounting for more than 7% of the world’s proven natural gas reserves. While Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria together can take claim to more than 80% of Africa’s gas production per 2020 estimates, these figures are rapidly evolving, and much of the gas industry’s attention is redirecting further south to Namibia, South Africa, inland to Zimbabwe, and to the east in Tanzania and Mozambique, which is home to the continent’s third largest store of natural gas.
African gas production rates are also on the rise, and forecasts indicate this movement will continue for decades to come. African gas output volumes have grown by 70% since the year 2000 and, as outlined in Standard Bank’s report, should continue to grow to 2050, reaching a yearly output of approximately 520 billion cubic meters (bcm.)
The report also notes that with these relative newcomers to the African natural gas economy paired up with the more established producers in Nigeria, Senegal, and Mauritania in the west and with Algeria and Egypt covering northern Africa, practically the entire perimeter of the African continent could have liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations for the purposes of domestic use or export as early as 2027.
Factoring in Africa’s current LNG capacity of 72 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the number of LNG facilities either in operation or advanced development, and the supportive role small-scale LNG (SSLNG) operators will play going forward, the report estimates that Africa’s capacity should increase by roughly 69 MTPA in the future.
Cross-Border Cooperation Opportunities Abound
People may respect man-made borders, but fossil resources certainly do not.
Hydrocarbons accumulated beneath the Earth’s crust irrespective of where one nation or another decided their boundaries should be. However, the tendency of natural gas deposits to span borders — inherent to their location, size, and distribution — has, in many cases, already promoted international cooperation around the globe. Where extraction was the concern, neighboring nations have amicably negotiated operational territories, and it’s no different in Africa. But when it comes to the feasibility of transportation, domestic distribution, and export, intra-African cooperation is more nuanced than merely the location of gas fields relative to borders.
Developing an effective and prosperous natural gas infrastructure and distribution network will require an earnest commitment to collaboration among nations. Conveniently, as illustrated in “South African Gas Optionality,” potential cross-border partnerships literally crisscross Africa’s southernmost region.
Pipelines running from Lusaka, Zambia to floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) in either Lobito, Angola, or Walvis Bay, Namibia, could centrally connect with another running along the new TAZAMA refined product pipeline, which links Ndola, Zambia, to the active natural gas operations and the Coral floating LNG (FLNG) operation under development south of the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
Further south in Mozambique, the rail network connecting Nacala to Lusaka, with stops in Malawi at Blantyre and Lilongwe, along with Chipata, Zambia, offers an inland transportation route. With SSLNG trucking support, the connected railway from Beira to Lusaka with stops at Harare and Zave brings Zimbabwe into the fold, accommodating Invictus Energy’s recent promising finds in the Cabora Bassa Basin and completing Mozambique’s rail and SSLNG value chain.
Along the very active coastline of South Africa, a potential pipeline could run from East London, near the proposed site for Coega’s gas-to-power infrastructure, to the existing refineries at Mossel Bay and Cape Town. From there, the pipeline could connect with a potential FSRU at Saldanha before continuing on through the offshore Orange Basin sites and terminating at a future LNG facility at Elizabeth Bay in Namibia.
A Complex but Rewarding Cooperative
To see improvement in the quality of life for Africans across the continent, Africa must stay the course toward industrialization, and natural gas should be a significant driver in that regard.
Despite how environmental activists and Western powers shudder at the idea of an industrialized Africa, when faced with their own energy crisis brought on by the Russia-Ukraine war and the sabotage of the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, the European Union was quick to designate natural gas as a climate-friendly fuel source. And they’re right to do so. As mentioned in “South African Gas Optionality,” the carbon emissions of a fully industrialized and electrified Africa would likely never exceed 4% of global emissions. Not only is natural gas the cleanest burning fossil fuel, but it is also Africa’s ticket out of energy poverty.
Through the production, domestic distribution, and export of natural gas, as well as gas-to-power initiatives, Africa will become healthier and wealthier and capable of building the alternative energy infrastructure that will eventually render our reliance on fossil fuels obsolete. On a reasonable timeline, Africa will follow the developed world in powering itself via a combination of wind, solar, and green hydrogen, but none of this will come to pass unless we work together.
As evidenced by the intricacies of just some of the proposed projects among the southern African nations and considering the numerous other projects under way or in development throughout the rest of the continent, cross-border cooperation will be imperative if we are to tack a happy ending onto the great African energy success story.
With initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), individual nations will be able to trade in goods, resources, and services more easily, and workers will be able to cross borders freely, adding manpower to projects outside their home country. Once the AfCFTA is fully implemented, I’m confident it will facilitate intra-African trade, bring any disputes to a resolution, and speed up commerce where it was once slowed by tariffs and other bureaucratic barriers, but we can always do more.
The nations of Africa need to unify in mindset and mission if we are to become a global energy powerhouse. This is, of course, in no way a call for a redrawing of boundaries, an erasure of national identities, or the capitulation of smaller nations to wealthier ones, but we must increase the frequency and volume at which we work with one another. Every African government, indigenous company, and individual citizen should cultivate the idea that we are also one people working together to profitably supply the world around us while improving conditions at home.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
Credit report checks are a fundamental aspect of safeguarding one’s financial well-being, particularly during Financial Literacy Week. The theme, ‘Protect Your Money: Protect Your Future,’ resonates deeply, emphasizing the necessity of more than just basic banking practices. It underscores the importance of vigilance against fraud. One effective way to combat fraud is by regularly reviewing your credit report. Any fraudulent activity, such as unauthorized loans taken out in your name, would be reflected in your credit report. Should you encounter any discrepancies or suspicious entries, promptly contacting the relevant credit bureau to initiate further investigation is crucial.
Tips for Empowering a Brighter Financial Future
As we commemorate Financial Literacy Week, we are reminded of the critical importance of financial education in today’s world. The theme of the week is ‘Protect Your Money: Protect Your Future,’ which means so much more than keeping your money in a bank account – it also encourages you to guard against fraud. You can do this by checking your credit report to ensure its accuracy, as fraudulent loans taken out in your name would appear on it. If you find anything suspicious, you can contact the credit bureau that issued the report to investigate further.
A study by TransUnion Zambia showed that while most (94%) consumers acknowledged the importance of credit monitoring, 30% of consumers did not monitor their credit reports. This highlights the need for more education about financial products and tools to support regular credit monitoring, which is an essential part improving financial literacy.
“In Zambia, there’s a growing recognition of the value of financial literacy, but we still have a long way to go. Financial Literacy Week is an opportunity for us to encourage Zambians to learn more about managing their finances and credit profiles, so that we can all work together to build a stronger economy into the future,” says Mildred Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer at TransUnion Zambia.
The survey data showed a mixed reality for Zambians:
Despite 38% experiencing income growth and 82% expressing optimism about future increases, many Zambians are concerned about escalating living costs and loan expenses.
To deal with financial strain, 43% of Zambians used instalment payments, while 29% considered borrowing from family and friends. Additionally, one third contemplated tapping into savings, and 39% planned to reduce non-essential spending.
There has been a decline in confidence within the credit market: While 96% of Zambians value credit access, only 30% feel it is adequate. Furthermore, 62% are hesitant to seek new credit due to high interest rates.
Cybercrime poses a significant concern, with 76% of Zambians reporting experiences of fraud attempts. Consequently, 95% are taking extra precautions to safeguard their personal data.
Understanding your financial standing empowers you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps towards strengthening your financial well-being.
Mildred shares four tips that can help consumers improve their credit scores:
Know how much you owe: Make sure that you understand your credit limits and the outstanding balances on each account. This insight helps you plan better to pay off your debts on time.
Pay your bills regularly: Consistently paying your bills on time is essential for building and maintaining a positive credit score. Timely payments show creditors that you’re financially responsible and reliable.
Stick to a budget: Establishing and sticking to a budget is the best way to manage your money effectively. Budgeting helps you to allocate your money appropriately, manage expenses, and ensure your bills are paid on time.
Regularly check your credit report: Stay vigilant by regularly checking your credit report. When you get your free TransUnion credit report, check it carefully for inaccuracies, such as accounts that you don’t recognise or incorrect information about late payments. Disputing this kind of inaccurate information from your credit report can improve your credit health and your credit score. Importantly, it can also help detect fraud if someone else has applied for credit in your name. For more information and details on how to check yours, visit Transunion Africa or email [email protected].
Personal finance educator Jane Mazimba adds: “Part of protecting your future should be investing in knowledge around debt. This includes how much we owe, our repayment plans, and paying debt off so that we can safeguard our credit scores for a secure future. Learning how to effectively fund, use, and pay back loans is one of the best ways we can secure our future.”
Four people have been killed in Chifunabuli District in Luapula Province after a mob descended on them on allegations of practicing witchcraft.
Confirming the matter to ZANIS, Chifunabuli District Commissioner Stanley Mukosa identified the victims as Jack Malisawa 44 of Konikalila Village, Augustine Bemba 37 of Mwana Chanda Village, Ngosa Mbukano 42 of Malunga Village, and Lengwe Kafupi aged 32 of Nkufu Village all of Chief Mbulu’s Chiefdom on Chishi Island.
“I can confirm that four people have been killed by a mob following a riot in the area, this is on allegations of practicing witchcraft,” he said.
The District Commissioner disclosed that on Monday, March 18, 2024, people of Chishi Island descended on Lengwe Kafupi accusing him of being behind the crocodile attack which occurred on Saturday, in which a woman was killed by a crocodile.
He said the mob in the process killed Lengwe and burnt him and looted his shop and later went on to kill Bemba and finally killed Mbukani and Malisawa who were later buried by the same mob.
Mr. Mukosa revealed that the mob fled the island after they heard that Police had come in the area.
He disclosed that Police have since managed to apprehend Bornface Mwaba 70 to help with investigations.
Mr. Mukosa said three burial sites have since been visited and the graves have been marked for possible exhumation and Police are still on the island.
A female physiotherapist of Mwinilunga District Hospital in North Western Province has allegedly been killed by her husband.
Confirming the matter to ZANIS, North Western Province Police Commanding officer Dennis Moola identified the deceased as Twaambo Hitima aged 36 of low density area in Mwinilunga district.
Mr Moola said the incident occurred on March 18, 2024 around 21:00 hours when the husband of the deceased Coillard Mubita 44, a Human Resource Officer at Mwinilunga District Health Office allegedly used an unknown sharp instrument to inflict multiple deep cuts on his wife’s neck.
“A niece to the deceased, Racheal Nyambe aged 18 of low density area reported that her aunt Twaambo Hitima has been murdered by her husband Mubita aged 44 after a marital dispute,” she told the police.
Mr Moola disclosed that the suspect Coillard Mubita has since been detained in police custody and a docket for murder opened while the body of the deceased has been deposited in Mwinilunga District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.
South Africa Parliament has jumped to the defence of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, following allegations that she received millions in bribes when she was Minister of Defence.
The South African Parliament has swiftly moved to support Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula amidst swirling allegations of corruption, stemming from her tenure as Minister of Defence.
The Gauteng Hawks, acting on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigative Directorate (ID), executed a raid on Tuesday at Mapisa-Nqakula’s residence in Bruma, Johannesburg. The operation follows allegations that she received substantial bribes during her time as Defence Minister, a position she held from 2012 to 2021.
Parliament confirmed the search and seizure procedure, which lasted over five hours, emphasizing Mapisa-Nqakula’s full cooperation during the process. In a statement, Parliament reiterated the Speaker’s staunch denial of any wrongdoing and her commitment to transparency. The raid disrupted Mapisa-Nqakula’s parliamentary obligations, including her role in overseeing President Cyril Ramaphosa’s question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.
The statement from Parliament underscored the Speaker’s dedication to public service and her unwavering integrity. Corruption, it stressed, stands in direct contradiction to the values of democracy and good governance that Mapisa-Nqakula represents.
The allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula relate to purported solicitation of bribes in exchange for government contracts during her time as Defence Minister. According to reports, demands for payments totaling $120,000 were made to secure a tender for transporting military equipment back to South Africa from other African countries.
As a seasoned veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle, Mapisa-Nqakula has faced significant scrutiny since assuming the role of Speaker in 2021. Her prior tenure as Defence Minister, marked by these allegations, has placed her under intense public scrutiny.
In response to the unfolding situation, President Ramaphosa’s administration, which campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, finds itself navigating yet another high-profile corruption case. The President has made combating corruption a cornerstone of his governance, seeking to root out entrenched corruption within South Africa’s political landscape.
The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed the search operation, though additional details were not provided, leaving questions about potential charges and the progression of the investigation unanswered. As the investigation unfolds, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Mapisa-Nqakula, whose political future hangs in the balance amidst these grave allegations of corruption.
Emmanuel Banda, the Member of Parliament for Petauke, has been suspended from the National Assembly for a period of 30 days following a complaint lodged by Clement Andeleki, the Member of Parliament for Katombora, regarding a defamatory video circulated on social media.
The suspension stems from a video in which Mr. Banda made allegations accusing the National Assembly of suspending opposition MPs to facilitate the misappropriation of funds. The video prompted Andeleki to file a complaint with the Speaker of the National Assembly.
In her ruling, Malungo Chisangano, the First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, declared that Banda’s actions constituted a breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House. Chisangano emphasized that Banda’s remarks cast a negative light on the integrity of the National Assembly, labeling them as unbefitting of a member of parliament and potentially damaging to the institution’s reputation.
Chisangano further expressed her hope that such behavior would cease, cautioning Banda against further misconduct. The ruling was delivered amid an attempt by Banda to disrupt proceedings, leading to his expulsion from the House.
The suspension serves as a disciplinary measure aimed at maintaining order and upholding the decorum of parliamentary proceedings. Banda’s suspension highlights the importance of maintaining civility and respecting parliamentary procedures, reminding MPs of their responsibilities as elected representatives. The PF MP has been suspended from Parliament at least 3 times in the last 4 months.
In November 2023, MP Emmanuel Banda was one of 17 PF members of parliament suspended for a period of 30 days. The suspension, followed an incident of misconduct that took place during a parliamentary session.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, announced the suspension, which she described as a response to “unparliamentary behavior” and a breach of the house’s decorum and integrity. The lawmakers’ actions were widely seen as a protest against the Speaker for purportedly denying them an opportunity to speak.
This is not the first time the MP finds himself in controversy.Former Post Newspaper journalist, Peter Sukwa, recently reached out to the Human Rights Commission, urging them to intervene and revive the case involving an alleged assault by Petauke Member of Parliament, Emmanuel Banda, who is accused of assaulting Sukwa and urinating in his mouth.
In a letter addressed to the Human Rights Commission, Sukwa highlighted the incident and the impact it has had on his life, noting that he has faced continuous mockery since the assault. Copies of the letter were also sent to Amnesty International, the Chief Justice, and the Zambia Institute of Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA).
Sukwa expressed his ongoing distress and the need for justice in the matter. The journalist has been seeking avenues to address the alleged assault, seeking support from both national and international human rights organizations.
Emmanuel Banda had previously been fined 12,000 Kwacha for the alleged assault, with 10,000 Kwacha allocated as compensation to Sukwa. The reopening of the case could potentially bring new developments to light and ensure a thorough examination of the incident.
