Cairo to Cape, Lobito Bay Bwengela Railway, same interests, same goals, Africa’s raw materials are at stake.
They will never support industries to process Africa’s raw materials. They will never set up value addition and beneficiation industries.But they will set up a road and rail to ship raw materials out Africa. They will set up dams and hydro-power stations to power the mines.

But they won’t invest in the agriculture sector to make africa sustainable. But they will donate food.
When they invest in the agricultural sector, it’s to promote cash crops like cocoa, tobacco, tea, coffee, flowers and grapes to support european and western lifestyles and tastes and not to feed Africa.

The Lobito Corridor is being promoted to extract critical minerals of lithium, copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel required for the energy transition from fossil fuels to electric vehicles and batteries.
Sadly African leaders fall in the same trap again and again.

By Emmanual Mwamba

President Hakainde Hichilema announced yesterday the preliminary findings of a forensic audit into the Ministry of Health, specifically the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA). The audit, commissioned by the government, marks a decisive step in Zambia’s fight against corruption and its efforts to improve healthcare service delivery.

The audit, covering the period from January 2023 to December 2024, has revealed instances of corruption where individuals have profited illicitly from drugs intended for the public. Speaking on the findings, President Hichilema reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rooting out corruption across all sectors.

“This audit exposes selfish individuals who have been exploiting resources meant to benefit our people,” said President Hichilema. “We will not tolerate corruption in any form, especially in critical areas such as healthcare. Our mission is to ensure transparency and accountability in all institutions.”

The president also expressed gratitude to Zambia’s cooperating partners for their support in the audit process, which underscores the government’s dedication to creating a robust and equitable healthcare system.

President Hichilema emphasized that similar audits will be undertaken in other key sectors to ensure public institutions prioritize the welfare of citizens over personal gain.

“We are committed to fighting corruption, past, present, and future,” he stated. “Together, let us build a better, more transparent Zambia for all.”

The findings of the forensic audit are expected to lead to further investigations and reforms aimed at strengthening oversight mechanisms within ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health. This initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to restore public trust and ensure that vital services reach the people who need them most.

The UPND government’s resolve to tackle corruption has been welcomed by citizens and international partners alike, signaling a renewed focus on accountability and service delivery.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has expressed its concerns over the proposed Cybersecurity Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly. While acknowledging the government’s intent to tackle cyber threats and terrorism, LAZ has cautioned that certain provisions in the Bill could undermine constitutional rights and democratic principles.

In its statement, LAZ highlighted that some clauses in the Bill risk violating fundamental rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. These include the right to privacy and freedom of expression, both of which are critical for a functioning democracy.

Specifically, LAZ pointed out the potential dangers posed by Parts V and VIII of the Bill, which propose surveillance measures allowing the State to conduct mass data collection. The lack of mandatory judicial oversight for such surveillance raises the risk of abuse and could erode public trust in state institutions.

Moreover, LAZ noted the absence of clear definitions for terms like “misinformation” and “national security threat.” This ambiguity, according to the association, creates room for subjective interpretation, which could be exploited to suppress dissent or target critics unjustly.

LAZ emphasized that any cybersecurity legislation must strike a balance between national security and individual freedoms. The association recommended the following measures to ensure this balance: mandatory judicial oversight for all surveillance requests, precise definitions of key terms, and penalties for the misuse of powers under the proposed laws to ensure accountability.

To address its concerns, LAZ has urged the government to undertake extensive consultations with all relevant stakeholders. These include civil society organizations, human rights advocates, legal experts, the private sector, and the general public. LAZ warned that rushing the Bill’s enactment without adequate input could do more harm than good.

The association also recommended aligning the Bill with international best practices, such as the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, which provides a framework for balancing security measures with individual freedoms.

In conclusion, LAZ called on the government to withdraw the proposed Cybersecurity Bill from Parliament and initiate a transparent and inclusive consultative process before reintroducing it. According to LAZ, this approach will ensure that the legislation upholds constitutional freedoms while addressing the legitimate need for cybersecurity.

LAZ’s stance underscores the importance of balancing national security objectives with democratic values, a principle enshrined in Zambia’s Constitution and critical to fostering trust between the government and its citizens

Diego Cassili and the Business Coalition Taskforce (BCT) slams theft of public resources, bureacracy and red tape, and conduct of the corrupt police and illegal traffic police roadblocks

BCT ON THE LOOTING OF HEALTH CARE FUNDS

….Our health sector and economy is being looted by these self-serving criminal agents who appear confident that they are above the law and can avoid the justice…..

“It is therefore disturbing, that even after the discovery of 61 medicine-filled containers, in privately owned warehouses, in an attempted plunder of a USS65m Zambia / Egypt single-sourcing procurement, that such criminal acts are still entrenched in the Ministry of Health and ZMMSA.”

“President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the Cabinet has resolved to classify all thefts within the health sector as economic crimes, as they undermine investments in that area”.

“The dubious procurement process for USS13million CDF ambulances, of which only 11 of the 156 have been delivered, and is now being investigated by the ACC…”

“BCT asks what these investigative bodies, including Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), who flagged an incredulous 1st Quarter ZMW 61billion (US$2.26bn) of fraudulent activities, tax evasion-tainted trade operations and illicit mining, are actually delivering regarding prosecution and recovery of proceeds of crime?”

“Our health sector and economy is being looted by these self-serving criminal agents who appear confident that they are above the law and can avoid the justice.”

ON POLICE ROADBLOCKS AND POLICE CORRUPTION

“The recent and highly publicized exploitation of a group of tourists by Zambian traffic police, during their journey through Zambia, where they were stopped multiple times, on spurious charges and detained for several hours until they paid cash fines to secure their release, is not only tarnishing the international reputation of Zambia as a tourist destination,
but also has a direct financial impact, which according to Tourism Council of Zambia, deprives Zambian owned businesses of approximately US$250m (ZMW7billion) in revenue opportunities.”

“In the World Internal Security & Police Index 2024, released in November, Zambian Police were ranked amongst the worst forces in the world at a shocking 118 out of 125.”

“The infamous reputation of our traftic police is massively detrimental for both local and foreign self-drive tourists for fear of harassment and being subjected to extortion.”

“These actions are not isolated incidents, but part of an ongoing pattern of abuse that local and forcign nationals, are subjected to on a regular and systemic basis.”

“This rampant corruption by officials has now reached such an appalling level, that it’s putting a serious strain on the relationship between citizen and state officials, which should be based on trust and mutual respect for the police as upholders of law and order.”

PRIVATE SECTOR DIALOGUE FORUM FAILURE

BCT has raised oncerns regarding the
efficacy of the PPDF, which was originally established to streamline the cost of doing business and reduce goverment bureaucnacy, licenses, controls and restrictions.

In short, the PPDF was mandated to make it easier for Zambians to do business in Zambia.

“Unfortunately, the very structure and methodology of the PPDF has evolved into exactly what it was designed to reduce and remove. It has become extremely
bureaucratic, slow, cumbersome and unable to make meaningful decisions that lead to positive changes”.

“Having been established for three years, very little has been achicved, and the PRIVATE SECTOR is in fact now worse off than it was prior to the formation of the PPDF”

“Not only are regulations not being removed, new and more cumbersome regulations are being imposed on businesses, that are slowing down development, disincentivizing investment and preventing job creation.”

“This self inflicted onerous bureaucracy has disadvantaged Zambian businesses to the extent that we are regionally uncompetitive.
Unfortunately, the PPDF agenda has been hijacked by overly-entrenched civil servants that are suppressing the valid and practical concems of the PRIVATE SECTOR and who are wrongly advising govemnment officinls,
presenting a positive, rose-tinted spin on the economy, that there is no need for a material change. This is simplynot the case.”

ABOUT THE BUSINESS COALITION TASKFORCE

The Business Coalition Taskforce (BCT) is a non-political alliance of private sector businesses dedicated to advocating for transparency, accountability, and the eradication of systemic challenges impeding Zambia’s economic growth. Focused on key issues such as public resource theft, bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and regulatory overreach, BCT aims to create a conducive environment for business and investment.

ABOUT DIEGO CASSILI

Diego established Napoli Property Investments Limited as the property manager for the existing properties which include the premier and upmarket commercial and residential developments such as Acacia office park, East Park Mall, Jacaranda Mall and Saddle Yard executive townhouses.

Diego served as the Managing Director of Amanita, Zamanita and Amagrain from 1991 to 2008 where he oversaw the operations of three milling operations and an oilseed crushing plant.

Diego as managing director of Amanita oversaw well over 450 employees. Following the divesture of Diego’s agriculture processing facilities, he successfully developed a large portfolio of property holdings in Zambia

By Muleya Lungwangwa

President Hakainde Hichilema joined global leaders at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor summit, held in Lobito, Angola on the 4th December.The summit, hosted by Angolan President João Lourenço with support from the U.S. government, underscored international commitment to advancing the Lobito Corridor project, a transformative infrastructure initiative for the region.

During the summit, U.S. President Joe Biden announced an additional $600 million in funding for infrastructure projects along the corridor. This substantial investment aims to reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade, and drive sustainable and inclusive economic development.

The Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor spans Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It includes the refurbishment of 800 miles of rail lines and the construction of a new rail link connecting Angola to Zambia. The project is poised to catalyze regional growth, foster job creation, and position Africa as a key player in global markets, particularly for critical minerals like cobalt and copper essential to clean energy technologies.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Hichilema held bilateral discussions with President Biden. Their talks focused on strengthening the Zambia-U.S. partnership, promoting economic progress, and advancing democratic development. President Hichilema highlighted the urgent need for global debt reform, stressing that high debt servicing should not prevent nations from pursuing developmental goals.

“We are committed to working with the governments of Angola, the DRC, the U.S., Tanzania, and other partners to turn this ambitious vision into a reality. The Lobito Corridor is more than infrastructure—it is a pathway to a brighter, more prosperous future for our people,” President Hichilema stated.

The summit reaffirms the Lobito Corridor’s role as a cornerstone of regional integration and economic development. With its focus on sustainability and inclusivity, the initiative is set to transform the transport and trade landscape, providing a direct link from the mineral-rich regions of central Africa to global markets.

Following the summit, President Hichilema and his delegation returned to Lusaka, expressing optimism about the future of regional collaboration and development.