World Vision Zambia, ZANACO Bank and CFAO Motors Zambia have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding – MoU to support the Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign, which aims at empowering 15,000 girls retrieved from child marriages and those at risk to live safer, healthier, more productive lives by 2025.

The MoU signed is to ensure that the three organisations work together to support girls rescued from child marriage or facing such risks.

World Vision Zambia Chief Executive Officer John Hasse explained that through this MoU, CFAO Motors Zambia, ZANACO and World Vision Zambia, commit to collaborate in the successful implementation of campaign activities related to the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education and livelihood sectors under the campaign in order to offer practical and sustainable solutions to girls who are retrieved from marriages and those at risk of the vice, for a successful fight against child marriage.

And CFAO Chief Executive Officer Dino Bianchi stated that their partnership with the World Vision Zambia is because the organization has a proven track record of transparency in managing resources and has a presence in the communities.

CFAO Motors Zambia CEO Dino Bianchi CFAO mentioned that they are proud to be part of this important initiative to support young girls and help them get on the right track as they start their journey through life.

“Education is key to this, and I urge the Ministry of Education to invest further in schools and teachers so the whole nation will benefit from nurturing well-educated and productive girls who will contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. It is an exciting prospect that more corporates should recognise and support,” Dino Bianchi added

Meanwhile, ZANACO CEO Mukwandi Chibesakunda said that they are conversant that the fight against early marriages will take concerted efforts to ensure the attainment of the sustainable development goal of ending child marriage by 2030, adding that as a bank that places importance on gender parity, they will continue to support initiatives that ensure that girls and young women have access to equal opportunities in life.

And ZANACO Bank representative, Head of Client Solutions, Corporate Communication and Marketing Chanda Chime Katongo has urged other corporate institutions to join and support the Strong Girls Strong Zambia Campaign because it is an excellent opportunity for a meaningful impact on the future leadership of Zambia.

As part of the actualisation of the MoU, the three partners have also embarked on the construction of a school ablution block with modern menstrual washroom facilities and a 1×3 classroom block at Kanchomba Secondary School in Pemba district at the cost of K1.7 million. CFAO and ZANACO will provide financial resources to World Vision Zambia, and World Vision will provide overall implementation and accountability for the projects.

In a similar development, World Vision Zambia also signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Absa Bank Zambia to support with 900,000 kwacha to promote the education of vulnerable girls under the Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign in Kafue district.

Absa Bank Managing Director Mizinga Melu stated that Absa being a Bank that brings possibilities to life, they are excited to collaborate with like-minded organisations such as the World Vision Zambia, as they continue to improve the welfare of the people in communities.

The Strong Girls Strong Zambia campaign is a World Vision Zambia fundraising campaign aimed at mobilising local resources to support girls retrieved from child marriage and those at risk.

The goal of the campaign is to reach and empower 15,000 girls retrieved from child marriages and those at risk to live safer, healthier, more productive lives in all the World Vision Zambia operation areas from October 2022 to September 2025.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has today signed the Concession Agreement for the Design, Financing, Building, Operation, Maintenance and Transfer of 35km of the mining transportation channel of the Chingola-Kasumbalesa using the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing model.

Finance and National Planning Minister Hon. Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane signed on behalf of the Government and Road Development Agency (RDA) acting Director and Chief Executive Officer Eng. Grace Mutembo signed as head of the implementing Agency.

Director and Chief Executive Officer for Turbo-Ka-Chin Investment Consortium E. Shangfa was also part of the signatories.

The Concession Agreement has been signed with Messrs. Turbo-Ka-Chin Investment Consortium who have been conferred with the status of Concessionaire for the Chingola to Kasumbalesa road.

The event was witnessed by Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Hon. Eng. Charles Miliupi, Transport and Logistics Minister Hon. Frank Tayali, Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati and Mines and Minerals Development Minister Hon. Paul Kabuswe.

In his remarks, Hon. Eng. Charles Milupi said the transportation sector was critical to economic growth as it facilitated commerce and trade in goods and services, as well as people movement.

“In this regard, the Government has prioritized the development and maintenance of transportation and logistics infrastructure. As a result, in order to overcome the constraints imposed by limited financial resources, the new dawn Government intends to build or rehabilitate these high-traffic roads using the Public-Private Partnership financing model,” Hon. Eng. Milupi said.

He said this model is intended to relieve fiscal pressure by allowing the private sector to collaborate with the Government by investing in public infrastructure and receiving compensation in the form of toll fees for a set period of time.

” This financing model would in turn, improve the delivery of sustainable Public-Private Partnership projects for improved infrastructure development and service delivery. Furthermore, the development of a project like this will serve as a springboard for various youths on the Copperbelt, as it will result in the creation of many jobs in the project area during the construction period as well as the operation and maintenance phase,” he said.

Hon. Eng. Milupi said the goal of the project was to make it easier for traffic to move between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Among the notable features of the project would include the widening of the road from Chingola to Kasumbalesa, with the last 3km being finished off with a concrete paved dual carriageway. A toll plaza, two truck parks, and a type 2 weighbridge are other features.

Hon. Eng. Milupi reiterated Government’s commitment to constructing cutting-edge public infrastructure at the right price, quality, and timeline.

United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, has acknowledged the need to build better and strong efficacy partnerships between Zambia and the United States that will culminate into the promotion of investment by the American people in the Copperbelt Province.

 Mr Gonzales said there is need to establish catalysts that will facilitate greater ties and linkages for the people of the United States and their Zambian counterparts.

Speaking in Ndola today when he called on the Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary, Daniel Kamenga, Mr. Gonzales noted that the Copperbelt Province remains the hub of Zambia’s economy.

He is in the province to interact with people so that he can understand their way of life as well as what makes the Copperbelt to stand out.

]”It is a perfect trip out of Lusaka and I needed to be here to see for myself, to listen to the people of Ndola and the entire Copperbelt, understand what makes this place tick and what are the priorities for Zambians,” he stated.

And Copperbelt Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Daniel Kamenga, expressed happiness that the US envoy chose to visit the province first in his tour of duty in Zambia.

Mr. Kamenga said Zambia’s economy is dependent on the Copperbelt due to its mining potential.

He added that the province has a lot of goods and services on offer to the business world.

He further said the province is endowed with a lot of natural resources which both local and foreign investors can take advantage of and invest their money in.

“We have a number of things which you may have to look at in terms of investment. You made a good choice of coming to the Copperbelt province,” he said.

 He acknowledged the need to build better and strong efficacy partnerships between Zambia and the United States that will culminate into the promotion of investment by the American people in the Copperbelt Province.

Mr Gonzales said there is need to establish catalysts that will facilitate greater ties and linkages for the people of the United States and their Zambian counterparts.

Speaking in Ndola today when he called on the Provincial Deputy Permanent Secretary, Daniel Kamenga, Mr. Gonzales noted that the Copperbelt Province remains the hub of Zambia’s economy.

He is in the province to interact with people so that he can understand their way of life as well as what makes the Copperbelt to stand out.

“It is a perfect trip out of Lusaka and I needed to be here to see for myself, to listen to the people of Ndola and the entire Copperbelt, understand what makes this place tick and what are the priorities for Zambians,” he stated.

 Copperbelt Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Daniel Kamenga, expressed happiness that the US envoy chose to visit the province first in his tour of duty in Zambia.

Mr. Kamenga said Zambia’s economy is dependent on the Copperbelt owing  to its mining potential.

He added that the province has a lot of goods and services on offer to the business world.

He further said the province is endowed with a lot of natural resources which both local and foreign investors can take advantage of and invest their money in.

“We have a number of things which you may have to look at in terms of investment. You made a good choice of coming to the Copperbelt province,” he said.

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for assistance from the African Development Bank (AfDB) in creating a platform for Zambia to address its debt restructuring process.

President Hichilema said that the AfDB can help Zambia mobilise resources through networking with the bank’s relations.

The Head of State noted that the consideration to bring on board the AfDB to help leverage its links that have been built over time, will help in turning the equation for financial support at a fair price.

Speaking when a team from AfDB called on him at Statehouse, President Hichilema said Zambia requires interventions in various areas that fit in the country’s agenda, and the financial sector is one of them.

He noted that Zambia is in a hurry for economic transformation, for the benefit of its citizens, hence the need for timely interventions especially after the principle of debt restructuring is agreed.

President Hichilema added that the country needs help with working on the content for debt restructuring, support that will be useful in addressing key issues.

The President assured that Zambia is committed to actualising various reforms despite operating under difficult circumstances such as COVID-19 and external wars.

“The role of AfDB is at the center of it all, this Zambia is happy to continue working with the bank especially on specific issues that need to deliver change for economic transformation,” President Hichilema stated.

And President Hichilema noted the need for Africa as a whole to turn around its economic status, in order for the continent to take its place at global level.

The Head of State further noted the importance of peace and a safe environment as a driver for Africa, to focus on economic and social development.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane was happy with the pre-discussions with the AfDB towards the debt restructuring process for Zambia.

Dr. Musokotwane explained that a request was made for the bank to add its voice for the creditors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on debt restructuring.

The Minister also disclosed the issue for more investment for the country to grow employment opportunities for many, which continues to be a challenge for the country.

Meanwhile, leading the AfDB delegation, Executive Director Gerald Bussier assured that the bank is committed to addressing the issues raised by President Hichilema.

Mr. Bussier said the requests will be forwarded for possible action so that the country can receive the required support.

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development has reiterated its commitment to providing comprehensive support towards the growth of small and medium entrepreneurs in Zambia.

Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Permanent Secretary, Yvonne Mpundu, says this is because the government, through the eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) is pursuing a private sector-driven economic transformation.

Ms Mpundu was speaking when she officiated at the training of trainers in footwear and leather goods design, manufacturing craftsmanship, export readiness and transformative entrepreneurship workshop at Cooperative College in Lusaka.

She stressed the importance of working with organisations such as the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) among other stakeholders to prioritise the leather value chain to develop the economy.

Ms Mpundu said this is because the leather sector has the potential of enhancing economic inclusion and ensuring the participation of a wider spectrum of society, especially for women and the youth.

She acknowledged ALLPI’s collaboration with the government in accomplishing various activities which include training of artisans on industrial glove making, footwear designing and capacity building on cluster development and management.

“I believe this training programme has come at an opportune time as the government is implementing the eighth NDP, an economic blueprint guiding us towards the achievement of our national vision,” Ms Mpundu stated.

She noted that the leather sector is a quick-win industry which has helped some of the developed countries transform their economies.

The Permanent Secretary noted that Africa holds about a quarter of the global livestock population that constitutes the basis for leather industry development.

Ms Mpundu has therefore said Zambia has the potential to generate more revenue if value addition and linkages to the global value chain are enhanced.

Meanwhile, the Zambia Leather Industrial Association (ZALIA) said although the sector in Africa had many natural strengths, it risks missing out on opportunities to expand to global markets.

ZALIA chairperson, Mercy Mukupa, outlined some constraints to the growth of Zambia’s leather sector, including access to quality and quantity of hides at affordable prices.

Ms Mukupa said lack of access to affordable finance, machinery, raw materials and working capital for the SMEs is hampering the growth of the sector.

She however commended the government for proposing to modernise the TEVET institutions with state of art training equipment under the skills development fund in the 2023 proposed national budget.

Ms Mukupa said the measure will address the skills mismatch challenges in the Zambian economy.

Meanwhile, ALLPI footwear Consultant, Feraw Kebede, showcased the readily available machinery required in the manufacturing of leather shoes.