Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Permanent Secretary, Subeta Mutelo, says the ministry has since 2021 empowered over 90,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

Ms Mutelo stressed that the government is encouraging value addition among SMEs so that they can be competitive enough for their products to cross borders.

She said the agenda is meant to see Zambian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and cooperatives take their products to different countries.

“When we talk about value addition, we want to perfect the value the SMEs are adding to their products. We do not want a situation where our SMEs remain behind,” states Ms Mutelo.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking when she featured on a ZANIS TV programme dubbed ‘4 years of UPND’.

“In terms of funding, very soon, we will see the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) through the ministry begin to offer loans in a very systematic way,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the country currently has eight Industrial Yards that are housing over 150 SMEs, while some are operating in their backyards.

“When an SME has the potential or capability to grow themselves, we ask them to write an application for consideration into these industrial yards. All SMEs coming onto the Industrial Yards will soon be funded by the ministry to ensure that we boost their capital injection and also help them monitor their businesses,” she added.

Ms Mutelo also emphasised the importance of the general citizenry to buy local products in order to help SMEs perfect their products.

“I am also happy to mention that the Cabinet through the Secretary to the Cabinet has issued us a circular that is talking about supporting the local products. So, all the ministries have now been directed to buy products from local SMEs just to help them boost their standards, quality, timely delivery and right price,” she added.

Jaja Farms Proprietor, Jacob Chunga, said he is grateful to the government for their support.

Pastor Chunga shared that he is a beneficiary of a CEEC loan which has seen Jaja Farms grow.

“We have partnered with great companies like Proflight, which have our snacks on board and Good Nature, a company that deals in the supply of legumes,” said Pastor Chunga.

Meanwhile, Business Development Service Providers Association of Zambia (BDSPAZ) President, Obed Mbuzi, said the association helps SMEs grow their businesses through capacity building.

Mr Mbuzi appreciated the revision of the SME policy, which is intended to address the needs of SMEs in the country.

“In terms of business linkages, we are working with chains stores, for instance Choppies Supermarket has on-boarded over 100 SMEs to supply various products,” added Mr Mbuzi

President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to China last year has continued to yield positive results, encouraging investors to establish facilities such as the Jiangxi Bureau of Geology (JBG) mineral laboratory, which is able to test any type of mineral and soil samples from across the country.

Jiangxi Burreau of Geology General Manager, Sterlin Shi, says the over USD$ 3 Million Mineral laboratory, which started its operations this year is expected to assist Zambia meet its projected three million tonnes of copper production per year by 2030.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Mr Shi disclosed that he has established the Mineral laboratory in order to enable the Zambian Government achieve its copper production target.

He observed that in response to the government’s copper production target, his company built the mineral laboratory whose construction works commenced last year and saw its completion in June this year.

“This laboratory is the biggest in the SADC region with the potential to help Zambia to discover different types of minerals because we also do exploration apart from testing samples.

“This laboratory will no doubt assist the country’s projected three million tonnes of copper production per year by 2030,” he said.

He explained that the laboratory is able to test soil, rock and water samples among others, collected from across the country, a move which is helping in identifying areas where to start full mining operations by investors.

And Mr Shi bemoaned the few mineral laboratories in the country, stressing that the facility is going to see more investors set up companies across the country to ramp up copper production and other minerals.

He added that the laboratory needs more mineral laboratory technicians, hence, the company’s intention to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Zambia, School of Mines to have students do industrial attachments and internships.

“We have engaged the University of Zambia management to be getting students from the school of Mines to be doing industrial attachments so that they acquire skills from their Chinese counterparts to empower local people in mineral testing,” he said.

Mr Shi also noted that the mineral laboratory has helped in creating jobs for Zambians and that going forward, more job opportunities will be created looking at the capacity of the company.

He reiterated that mining plays a crucial role in contributing to the country’s gross domestic product, and that the mineral laboratory is expected to give accurate location results to potential investors where genuine minerals are found for them to start mining.

Mr Shi further expressed happiness that he has set up the laboratory which will be able to give mineral sample results within the shortest possible time, as opposed to the previous years when most mineral testing was done in other countries, which used to take time.

Laboratory Analyst, Rutherford Mukwabanje, explained that he conducts a number of mineral testing using hitech equipment which analyses a number of elements such as copper, manganese and gold among minerals.

Carol Namutengu, also a Laboratory Analyst, urged other female folks to consider undertaking science laboratory courses so that they can take up jobs that are on offer by companies such as JBG.

Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has urged all accounting firms in the country to embrace technology and innovation in their work schedule in order to turnaround Zambia’s economy.

Speaking when he officiated at PKF Zambia Chartered Accountants’ 10th Anniversary in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mutati further encouraged accounting firms to leverage on artificial intelligence if they are to deliver value to consumers efficiently.

The Minister noted that the culture of conducting financial operations manually should be a thing of the past with the coming of technology, innovation and Artificial Intelligence.

He observed that once accounting firms fully embrace technology and innovation in their work, many benefits will be achieved, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth.

The Minister was, however, quick to point out the negative side of technology such as cyber criminals, who are also advancing on fraud.

He explained that to this effect, the government has delivered the AI Policy to ensure that firms such as PKF Zambia Chartered Accountants can embrace AI, adding that human intelligence and artificial Intelligence are complementary.

Mr Mutati added that AI enables human beings and machines to be able to work together harmoniously as it delivers products that one cannot dispute.

“So I want you to embrace AI in your daily operations as accounting firms for you to be able to reap maximum benefits from technology and innovation, this country can only develop if firms such as PKF Zambia Chartered Accountants leverage on technology,” he said.

PKF Zambia Managing Director, Anthony Ranjan, said the firm believes in continuous professional development as it recruits capable young people and trains them as future leaders.

He noted that PKF Zambia exposes its staff to both local and international experiences through PKF Zambia International.

“We stand by strong values such as quality, integrity, innovation and human centred service delivery, how we think, act, communicate, and engage with clients reflects our brand,” he said.

Mr Ranjan stated that the firm also embraces gender balance at all levels as the board of partners is composed of three female and three males, a symbol of inclusivity in leadership.

He also explained the continuous support his firm renders to nonprofit organisations which include Lubasi Orphanage Home Care, Lushomo Trust for sexually abused girls.

One of the beneficiaries of PKF Zambia, Charity Mwiya of Lushomo Trust paid glowing tribute to the organisation for taking care of vulnerable people in communities.

Jerome Powell’s looming departure as Chair of the US Federal Reserve could hand President Trump significant influence over the world’s most powerful central bank – and with it the direction of global monetary policy, warns Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

The warning comes as the Fed’s annual Jackson Hole symposium closes today in Wyoming, an event where policy shifts are often signalled and where investors are already looking beyond Powell’s remarks to the possibility of Trump shaping the institution’s future.

“Powell’s exit is not just about one individual stepping down,” says Nigel Green.

“It could transfer power to Trump, giving him the opportunity to appoint a Fed chair who reflects his priorities.

“This would have major consequences for interest rates, inflation, the dollar, and global markets.”

Powell’s term as Chair expires in May 2026, but the process of transition has already begun.

Trump has nominated Stephen Miran to replace outgoing Governor Adriana Kugler, pending Senate confirmation, with a term running into early 2026.

If Powell were to step down earlier from his longer-term position on the Fed’s board of governors, Trump could fill that seat directly.

“Markets move on expectations, not waiting for the official moment,” explains the deVere chief executive.

“If investors believe Trump’s choice will soon shape policy, Powell’s influence will erode quickly. This is why the countdown to 2026 matters now.”

Jackson Hole underscores the stakes. Last year, academic work presented there highlighted a turning point in the labour market, paving the way for Powell to argue for looser policy, which culminated in a 50-basis-point cut.

Trump derided the decision as too slow, a frustration that signals the type of Fed chair he would prefer to appoint.

“Trump could look for someone willing to cut more quickly, to align the central bank with his growth agenda and political programme,” comments Nigel Green.

“That kind of leadership would be far more aggressive than Powell’s cautious approach.”

History shows how leaders engineer such shifts. Japan’s Shinzo Abe appointed Haruhiko Kuroda to spearhead radical easing under Abenomics. In Britain, Mark Carney’s early confirmation as Bank of England Governor reset expectations months before his predecessor left.

“Global precedent suggests Trump could follow the same path,” says Nigel Green.

“The president has both the incentive and the ability to move early, ensuring markets focus on his appointee well before Powell’s term officially ends.”

The implications are global. The Fed’s decisions set borrowing costs not only for US households and businesses but also for governments, corporations, and investors worldwide. Shifts in US rates ripple into currencies, commodities, and capital flows.

“A Trump-influenced Fed could mean lower rates, a softer dollar, rising equities, and a renewed surge of interest in crypto,” notes the deVere CEO.

“But it could also risk overheating the economy, fuelling inflation, and undermining the Fed’s independence. The opportunities and dangers are equally significant.”

Central bank independence has always been contested. Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon both pressured Fed chairs to serve their political aims. What is different today is the scale of markets and the speed of global reaction.

“Once markets sense who might take Powell’s place, they will price in the change immediately. This means volatility and rapid adjustment long before May 2026.”

Nigel Green concludes: “Powell’s eventual exit could transfer power to Trump in ways that fundamentally reshape the Fed.

“Investors should recognize that this shift is already coming into view and prepare now for its impact.”