Duma Calls for Policy Shift to Unlock Zambian Business Potential

By Alain Kabinda

Policy Analyst Zondwayo Duma has called for a fundamental shift in Zambia’s economic policies to ensure that local businesses benefit more meaningfully from the country’s abundant natural resources.

Mr Duma says Zambia’s mineral and land wealth has not translated into broad-based prosperity for citizens, raising questions about how the country attracts investment, develops local enterprises and distributes economic opportunities.

In a media statement, Mr Duma said the continued existence of poverty in a resource-rich country required serious reflection on the policy choices that have shaped Zambia’s economic development.

He said Government must move beyond simply attracting external investors and place greater emphasis on building the capacity of Zambian-owned businesses to participate in major economic sectors.

Mr Duma said local content policies should not be limited to encouraging companies to procure goods and services from Zambian suppliers.

He argued that local enterprises must have the financial, technical and productive capacity to compete effectively for contracts generated by major investments, particularly in the mining and natural resource sectors.

“Local content policies must extend beyond procurement to ensure that Zambian companies have the genuine capacity and capabilities to participate,” he said.

According to Mr Duma, this requires deliberate supplier-development programmes that equip local businesses with the skills, technology, financing and standards necessary to compete.

He said Government should therefore take an active role in developing suppliers rather than leaving local companies to compete against established international firms without adequate support.

The policy analyst said Zambia's economic transformation would depend heavily on the growth of strong domestic enterprises capable of participating in regional and international value chains.

He said institutions such as the Zambia Development Agency and the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission should be refocused to become stronger drivers of industrialisation and local business development.

Mr Duma argued that these institutions should do more than facilitate investment and empowerment programmes, but should help create an environment where Zambian companies can expand, innovate and compete.

He said stronger domestic businesses would allow more economic value to remain in Zambia through employment creation, local procurement, tax revenues, skills development and reinvestment.

Mr Duma said Zambia’s policy framework has historically placed significant emphasis on attracting external investors, while domestic business development has received comparatively less attention.

He said foreign investment remains important to economic development but should be structured in a way that creates opportunities for local enterprises to grow alongside major investors.

Without deliberate intervention, he warned, Zambian businesses risk remaining marginal players in sectors based on the country's own natural resources.

This, he said, could perpetuate an economic model in which Zambia exports its resources while importing many of the goods, technologies and services required to exploit them.

Mr Duma’s concerns come amid continued discussions around how Zambia can extract greater economic value from its natural resources.

He said the country needs policies that encourage value addition, industrial development and stronger domestic supply chains rather than focusing primarily on the extraction and export of raw materials.

For businesses, this could create opportunities across manufacturing, mining supply chains, agriculture, logistics, technology and other supporting industries.

A stronger local supply chain could also reduce the amount of money leaving the country through imports while creating new markets for Zambian producers and service providers.

Mr Duma said Government has a critical role to play in creating the conditions under which local businesses can grow.

This includes ensuring that institutions responsible for investment promotion and economic empowerment are equipped to identify gaps in local industries and help businesses close them.

He said supplier development should be treated as an economic development strategy rather than simply a procurement requirement.

“Government must take an active role in supplier development if local enterprises are to compete effectively,” he said.

Such an approach, he argued, would enable local businesses to move from being small contractors and suppliers to becoming competitive companies capable of serving large domestic and international markets.

Mr Duma warned that failing to address the structural weaknesses affecting local enterprises could continue to limit the impact of Zambia’s natural-resource wealth on ordinary citizens.

He said the disconnect between a country rich in land and minerals and citizens who continue to experience poverty must be urgently addressed.

For the private sector, the issue is ultimately about creating a more inclusive business environment where investment generates opportunities throughout the economy rather than concentrating benefits among a limited number of companies.

Mr Duma said honest dialogue on policy shortcomings was necessary to identify practical solutions and deliver sustainable economic transformation.

He stressed that Zambia needs meaningful reforms rather than promises if it is to achieve inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

The challenge, he said, is not whether Zambia possesses sufficient resources to become prosperous, but whether its economic policies can effectively transform those resources into competitive Zambian businesses, jobs, industrial capacity and lasting wealth for citizens.

 

A Twice-Yearly Shield: Zambia’s New Hope in the Fight Against HIV

By Alain Kabinda

For a woman visiting the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Women and Newborn Hospital in Lusaka, HIV prevention may soon become less about remembering a pill every day and more about making two decisions a year.

That possibility is emerging with the introduction of injectable lenacapavir, a new HIV prevention option that is administered twice a year.

More than 200 women at the UTH Women and Newborn Hospital have already been initiated on the injection, marking an important step in Zambia’s efforts to prevent new HIV infections.

And for many women, particularly those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, staying HIV-negative is not only about protecting their own health. It can also mean protecting their children from the consequences of an infection acquired during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

The arrival of lenacapavir therefore represents more than the introduction of another medicine. It offers women another choice in how they protect themselves from HIV.

Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, has given people at risk of HIV an effective tool for preventing infection. But taking a tablet every day can be difficult for some people.

Instead of requiring daily tablets, the injectable prevention option is administered twice a year, potentially reducing the burden associated with daily medication.

For women who struggle with taking a pill every day, the twice-yearly injection could provide greater convenience and privacy.

Speaking during the handover ceremony and marking the arrival of the shipment. in Lusaka U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia said the medicine could help save lives by giving women another way to protect themselves from HIV.

                                                            Mr. Frank Garcia

“This is a Zambian achievement, led by Zambians for Zambians,” Mr Garcia said.

He highlighted a significant aspect of the development: while the medicine is supported by the United States, its implementation is being led by Zambian health workers and institutions.

Mr Garcia said U.S. support was intended to strengthen Zambia’s health institutions and leadership rather than replace the work of local authorities.

At the centre of the initial rollout is the UTH Women and Newborn Hospital, where health workers are gaining practical experience in administering the injection and supporting women receiving it.

And Senior Medical Superintendent Dr Mukatimui Kalima Munalula said more than 200 women had already been initiated on injectable lenacapavir, including some male partners.

“What we are doing here will help us to generate information that can be used to roll out the service to the rest of the country,” she said.

Dr Munalula says the lessons emerging from UTH will be critical to future expansion.

The experience being accumulated at UTH could become important as Zambia considers expanding access to the new HIV prevention option beyond the capital.

Health workers are learning how women respond to the intervention, how services can best be delivered and what may be required to make the programme accessible on a larger scale.

Behind every new HIV prevention intervention lies a history of lives lost and families changed by the epidemic.

Meanwhile Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Donor Coordination George Sinyangwe offered a deeply personal reminder of that history.

                                                  Dr. George Sinyangwe 

Mr Sinyangwe said he had lost four brothers to HIV, despite all of them being educated, with some reaching PhD level.

“I am the only one remaining,” he said.

It has taken parents from children, breadwinners from families, professionals from workplaces and loved ones from communities.

Mr Sinyangwe said HIV had once contributed to a dramatic decline in Zambia’s life expectancy, but increased access to treatment and other interventions had helped reverse some of the damage.

He said life expectancy had recovered to around 64 years, while HIV-related deaths had fallen sharply.

Every new prevention tool represents another opportunity to ensure that fewer families experience the loss that his family endured.

The introduction of lenacapavir also highlights the long-standing health partnership between Zambia and the United States.

Mr Sinyangwe described the United States as the single largest external supporter of Zambia’s HIV response, with assistance spanning prevention and treatment.

The medicine, manufactured by U.S. pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, is being made available free of charge at Zambian health facilities.

For women and families who may otherwise worry about the cost of HIV prevention, removing the price of the medicine could make the intervention more accessible.

The partnership also reflects a broader shift in HIV prevention: from simply making medicines available to ensuring that people have prevention options that fit their lives.

For a woman who is HIV-negative, preventing infection during pregnancy and breastfeeding is important not only for her own health but also because acquiring HIV during these periods can create risks for her child.

The introduction of injectable PrEP at the Women and Newborn Hospital creates an opportunity to integrate HIV prevention more closely into services that women already use.

Rather than treating HIV prevention as a separate intervention, health workers can make it part of a broader conversation about maternal health, family wellbeing and protecting children.

The more than 200 women already initiated on lenacapavir represent an important beginning, but Zambia’s HIV prevention needs extend far beyond one hospital.

The success of the programme will depend not only on the availability of the medicine but also on health workers, supply systems, community awareness, counselling and the ability of women to make informed choices about HIV prevention.

The challenge will be ensuring that a promising innovation does not remain concentrated in a few facilities or become accessible only to women living near major urban centres. For Lenacapavir does not end Zambia’s HIV challenge.

Rather, it adds another tool to an arsenal that includes condoms, HIV testing, oral PrEP, treatment and other prevention strategies.

Not every person at risk of HIV will want the same prevention method. Some may prefer daily tablets, while others may find a twice-yearly injection easier to maintain.

For a country that has witnessed the devastating human cost of HIV, the promise is straightforward: fewer new infections, healthier mothers, protected children and more families spared the grief of losing loved ones.

And for the women receiving the injection, the meaning may be even simpler—a little more freedom, a little less daily burden, and another opportunity to remain HIV-negative.

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 BETUZ Renews Call for Better Conditions for Teachers

By Alain Kabinda

The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has called for improved conditions of service, better remuneration and greater professional recognition for teachers, particularly those working in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

BETUZ Acting CEO-DGS Christopher Simukonda made the call during the flag-off of 90,000 World Teachers Day shirts earmarked for distribution to union members across the country.

Mr Simukonda said the recognition of teachers should go beyond commemorative activities and be matched with practical measures aimed at improving their welfare and dignity.

He said teachers continue to make significant sacrifices in classrooms, often working under difficult conditions while carrying the responsibility of preparing learners for the future.

“Behind every shirt is a teacher who wakes up very early to shape the future of a child, a teacher who serves in the classroom, often under very difficult circumstances, a teacher who sacrifices today to build a better Zambia tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Simukonda described teachers as critical to Zambia’s national development, saying the education sector remains the foundation for building the country’s human capital.

“Teachers are not merely employees within the education sector. They are the architects of national development and the foundation upon which Zambia’s human capital is built,” he said.

He said BETUZ would continue engaging Government and other stakeholders on issues affecting teachers, including improved salaries, timely promotions and upgrades, professional recognition, continuous professional development and better working conditions.

Mr Simukonda said teachers serving in rural and hard-to-reach communities require particular attention because of the additional challenges they face in delivering education services.

He said BETUZ would continue advocating for teachers through constructive but firm engagement to ensure that their welfare and professional standing remain a national priority.

Mr Simukonda said the 90,000 shirts should be viewed as more than World Teachers Day merchandise, describing them as a symbol of unity, solidarity, professional pride and recognition.

“These shirts are more than fabric, cotton and colour. They carry a message, they carry our dignity. They represent unity, solidarity, professional pride and recognition of the teacher,” he said.

He said the procurement of the shirts, which are expected to reach almost every BETUZ member, demonstrates the union’s commitment to its membership.

Mr Simukonda urged teachers to wear the shirts with pride as a symbol of their unity and professional identity.

He further stressed that investing in teachers was essential to Zambia’s development, warning that failure to adequately support educators could undermine the country’s education system and broader development aspirations.

“When you invest in the teacher, we invest in the future of Zambia. The future of this nation depends upon education,” he said.

The distribution of the 90,000 shirts is expected to begin with the dispatch of the consignment to provinces for onward distribution to BETUZ members across the country.

 

 

 Zambia and Brazil Deepen Trade and Investment Ties at Lusaka Business Forum

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — Zambia and Brazil have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade, investment and economic cooperation during the Zambia–Brazil Business Forum held in Lusaka under the theme “Cooperation, Trade and Investments.”

The forum brought together government officials, business leaders and private-sector representatives to explore opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, renewable energy, infrastructure, tourism and logistics.

Speaking at the forum, ApexBrasil President Laudemir Müller said trade between Brazil and Africa had grown significantly over the past two decades, rising from approximately US$5 billion in 2002 to US$28 billion in 2013. However, he noted that trade had subsequently declined to about US$11.5 billion in 2020.

Mr. Müller said Brazil was now working to rebuild its commercial engagement with Africa, adding that total trade had reached US$24 billion in 2025.

“Africa is a priority because of the deep cultural ties that unite us and for strategic reasons,” said Mr. Müller, describing the continent as essential to addressing global challenges, including food security, energy transition and industrial development.

He also said that Africa’s youthful population, agricultural potential and reserves of critical minerals made it an important partner for Brazil. According to Mr. Müller, Africa is expected to account for approximately one quarter of the world’s population by 2050 and possesses around 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated agricultural land.

Mr. Müller also highlighted ApexBrasil’s growing support for commercial engagement with African countries. Since 2023, the agency, in partnership with Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has undertaken eight business missions to 20 countries involving more than 600 companies.

He said ApexBrasil had conducted 92 trade initiatives in Africa, including 50 trade missions, and participated in 31 international trade fairs involving approximately 700 companies.

In 2025, more than 1,000 companies supported by ApexBrasil exported to African markets, while 200 companies began exporting to Africa with the agency’s assistance. A further 600 companies reportedly expanded into new African destinations.

Turning specifically to Zambia, Müller said bilateral trade remained far below its potential. Trade between the two countries stood at approximately US$7.5 million in 2025, a figure he described as inadequate given the size and capabilities of the two economies.

He further identified agriculture as a key area for cooperation, saying Brazil could support Zambia’s efforts to raise productivity and modernise the sector through the supply of agricultural machinery, bio-inputs, animal genetics and tropical farming technologies.

“Zambia seeks to raise productivity and modernise its agriculture, and Brazil is the natural partner for this jump,” Mr. Müller said.

He added that Brazilian companies could also provide specialised machinery and technical expertise to support local processing and increase value addition in Zambia.

Mr. Müller said Brazil could share its experience in renewable energy, biomass and biofuels to help Zambia diversify its energy mix and expand access to power for industries and rural communities.

He further pointed to the Lobito Corridor as a potential area of cooperation, saying the regional logistics project could create new opportunities for trade, investment and industrial development.

During the forum, ApexBrasil and the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bringing Brazilian and Zambian companies closer together and promoting commercial partnerships.

And Speaking at the same forum ZDA Director General Mr. Albert Halwampa said Zambia welcomed Brazil’s continued interest in deepening economic relations with the country.

He said the two nations shared common interests in sustainable development, agricultural transformation, energy, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure.

“Zambia’s stable political environment, abundant natural resources and strategic location in the SADC region make it an ideal destination for Brazilian capital and expertise,” Mr. Halwampa said.

He said the Zambian Government is committed to improving the ease of doing business, facilitating trade, promoting value addition in agriculture and mining, and supporting skills transfer and innovation.

Mr. Halwampa urged businesses from both countries to take advantage of the forum and convert discussions into concrete projects and investments.

Officiating the forum Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Ms. Lillian Saili Bwalya said the forum had been convened at a critical time as Zambia pursued trade expansion and industrialisation as drivers of economic growth.

She described the gathering as an important milestone in strengthening commercial and investment relations between Zambia and Brazil.

Ms. Bwalya said the forum would enable Brazilian businesses to explore the Zambian market and identify opportunities for joint ventures with local companies, particularly in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and value-added industries.

She identified agricultural processing, manufacturing, minerals beneficiation, healthcare, infrastructure, renewable energy, plastic products, light engineering and information and communications technology as sectors with significant potential.

Ms. Bwalya said Zambia was implementing reforms to reduce the cost of doing business, simplify registration procedures and improve the regulatory environment in order to attract investment.

She also emphasised Zambia’s strategic position as a gateway to markets in Southern and Central Africa.

According to Bwalya, Zambia provides important trade routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Zimbabwe, while also supporting trade flows linking Tanzania, South Africa and the southern DRC.

“These linkages make Zambia a strategic access point for regional trade and investment,” she said.

Ms. Bwalya encouraged Brazilian companies to use the forum to connect with Zambian enterprises and establish long-term partnerships.

She expressed confidence that the meeting would lay the foundation for increased trade, investment, knowledge sharing, business matchmaking and cooperation in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector.

The Zambia–Brazil Business Forum concluded with calls for stronger private-sector engagement and practical follow-up to ensure that the memorandum of understanding results in increased investment, job creation, technology transfer and shared economic benefits for both countries.

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 The Race to Turn Infrastructure into Jobs and Local Growth

 

By Alain Kabinda 

When Zambia gathers construction companies, Government institutions, investors and manufacturers at the Build Zambia Expo and Conference next month, the biggest question may not be how many people attend.

The Build Zambia Expo & Conference 2026 is being officially launched in Lusaka, with organisers challenging the construction industry to move beyond speeches and exhibition stands and turn business conversations into procurement opportunities, partnerships and jobs.

The Expo is Scheduled for September 23 to 24 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, the expo which is being positioned as a marketplace for the construction industry rather than simply another annual exhibition.

Speaking during the launch Permanent Secretary for Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Prof. Albert Malama, who unveiled the event, said infrastructure was fundamental to Zambia's economic transformation.

But he challenged Government agencies attending the event to come prepared to engage industry directly.

“The success of the expo should not be judged by how many people walk through the doors, but by the quality of participation and the value created,” Prof. Malama said.

His remarks capture the central ambition of the event: replacing passive exhibition with active business engagement.

The expo will include a Hosted Buyer Programme, expected to bring up to 100 qualified buyers from Government institutions, local authorities, mines, utilities and property developers.

Rather than simply browsing exhibition stands, buyers will meet suppliers with specific requirements.

For local companies, this could provide a rare opportunity to put their capabilities directly in front of organisations controlling major construction demand.

Yet the timing of the expo is significant because Zambia's local manufacturing sector is facing its own challenges.

UMCIL-Kafue Steel, one of the country's major steel producers, has warned that local manufacturers could miss out on the construction opportunities being created by infrastructure development.

And UMCIL Executive Director for Corporate Affairs Dr Phil Daka said the company's monthly steel production had fallen from 12,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes.

The company currently has about 5,000 tonnes of steel in stock, worth nearly US$4 million.

Dr Daka said approximately 350 jobs had been lost as production declined.

The country needs infrastructure and construction materials, while local manufacturers have the capacity to produce some of those materials. Yet manufacturers can struggle to secure sufficient demand to keep factories operating at full capacity.

The question, therefore, is whether Zambia's construction expenditure can be used to strengthen local industry instead of merely creating demand for imported products.

Dr Daka has called for stronger preference for locally manufactured steel in public projects and for a better industrial electricity tariff.

His argument is that Government procurement can do more than deliver roads, buildings and other infrastructure.

When a Government project purchases locally manufactured steel, for example, the economic impact potentially extends beyond the contractor.

It supports the steel producer, transporters, workers, suppliers and other businesses connected to the manufacturing chain.

“Let us manufacture in Zambia. Let us buy in Zambia. And together, let us Build Zambia,” Dr Daka said.

And speaking at the Launch NCC Executive Director Prof. Paul Makasa said the council was developing the expo as Zambia's “Premier Construction Marketplace and Industry Development Platform.”

An industry development platform should go further by identifying weaknesses, building relationships and creating opportunities for businesses to grow.

With a target of 500 delegates and 45 exhibitors, the organisers are hoping to create enough concentration of buyers, suppliers and policymakers to generate meaningful commercial discussions.

Also Kafue Steel joined as a sponsor, reinforcing the connection between construction demand and local manufacturing.

The expo will also feature a Skills Arena, where participants will compete in plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry and shopfitting.

Even the availability of financing, materials and contracts cannot guarantee quality infrastructure without skilled artisans and professionals capable of turning plans into physical structures.

The Skills Arena therefore provides an opportunity to showcase practical skills while highlighting the need to strengthen Zambia's construction workforce.

For young people looking for employment opportunities, a growing construction sector could offer pathways into skilled trades and entrepreneurship.

Prof. Malama has already cautioned that the event should not be judged by attendance figures alone.

For Zambia, building infrastructure is only part of the development equation. The country also needs to build the industrial ecosystem around that infrastructure — factories capable of supplying materials, companies capable of competing for contracts and workers equipped with the skills required to deliver quality projects.

The Build Zambia Expo arrives at a moment when the country is seeking economic growth, industrialisation and greater private-sector participation.

If Government, investors and construction companies can translate infrastructure demand into opportunities for local manufacturers and service providers, the impact could stretch far beyond the projects themselves.

It will require procurement decisions that recognise local capacity, competitive local industries, reliable energy supplies and constructive partnerships between Government and business.

As Zambia prepares for the September expo, the challenge is therefore bigger than building exhibition stands.

It is about building an economy in which infrastructure investment becomes a catalyst for local production, entrepreneurship and employment.

The real Build Zambia Expo will begin when the contracts are signed and the machines in Zambian factories start running at full capacity.

 Engines of Empowerment: Zambia’s Youth Receive US$15 Million Fleet from Kinglong Motors Zambia

By Alain Kabinda

The engines may have been silent during Wednesday’s ceremonial handover, but the expectations surrounding Zambia’s latest youth empowerment initiative are already running high.

At the centre of the ceremony was a fleet of 100 fuel tankers valued at US$15 million, alongside fully paid-for trucks, handed over by Kinglong Motors Zambia Limited to   beneficiary youth cooperatives under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts’ Youth Empowerment Programme.

For Government and the private sector, the handover represents a milestone in a partnership that began in 2020.

But for the young people expected to operate these assets, the significance goes far beyond the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony in Lusaka, Kinglong Motors Zambia Limited General Manager Mr Wu Ming said the handover represented more than equipment delivery.

“This occasion represents a partnership, a shared vision, and a commitment towards creating meaningful economic opportunities for the young people of Zambia,” Mr Wu said.

The company’s partnership with the Ministry dates back to 2020, when trucks were supplied under a hire-purchase arrangement.

The Ministry gradually made payments over the agreed period and has now completed the payments, resulting in the transfer of the fully paid-for trucks to youth cooperatives.

The additional 100 fuel tankers, valued at US$15 million, now significantly expand the productive assets placed in the hands of the programme’s beneficiaries.

For Government, the expectation is that the assets will provide young people with a foundation upon which they can establish viable enterprises.

And Ministry of Sports and Arts Permanent Secretary Mr Kangwa Chileshe said the equipment should not be viewed simply as vehicles.

“They are productive assets and instruments of economic empowerment,” he said.

According to Mr Chileshe, the assets have the potential to create businesses, generate income, create employment and improve the livelihoods of young Zambians and their communities.

That potential, however, will depend on what happens after the cameras are gone and the handover ceremonies are over.

The more difficult question is whether beneficiaries have the skills, systems and markets required to turn those assets into sustainable businesses.

They require proper maintenance, insurance, compliance with safety requirements, qualified personnel, reliable contracts and effective financial management.

Further Mr Chileshe urged beneficiary cooperatives to take ownership of the opportunity, use the assets responsibly and maintain them properly.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that the vehicles become sustainable sources of income and employment.

They will have to demonstrate that youth empowerment is not simply about receiving Government-supported assets, but about building businesses capable of surviving in a competitive market.

The handover also highlights the role of the private sector in supporting national development.

Mr Chileshe said Kinglong Motors had remained committed to identifying areas where Government and business could work together to contribute to Zambia’s development.

For Kinglong, the partnership provides an opportunity to participate directly in an initiative designed to address one of the country's major development priorities — creating economic opportunities for young people.

And Mr Wu reaffirmed the company's commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and national development.

The collaboration demonstrates how private companies can contribute to public programmes not only through financial support, but also through the provision of productive equipment and technical partnerships.

Kinglong’s proposed next step also extends beyond transport,The company has proposed the supply and installation of solar lighting solutions at selected stadiums across Zambia.

Mr Chileshe said improved lighting could create better environments for sporting activities, increase the usability of sports facilities and support youth and sports programmes.

If implemented, the proposal could introduce another dimension to the partnership — combining youth economic empowerment with investment in sports infrastructure.

For a ministry responsible for both youth and sports, the proposed initiative could potentially support young people in two complementary ways: creating economic opportunities through productive assets while improving facilities where sporting talent can develop.

And perhaps most importantly, will the beneficiaries be able to build enterprises that continue operating long after the initial Government support ends?

Those questions will determine whether the US$15 million investment becomes a lasting economic intervention or simply another asset distribution programme.

Mr Chileshe captured the principle behind the initiative when he said true empowerment was not merely about providing an asset, but creating an opportunity capable of generating value long after the handover.

The challenge is to turn steel, engines and fuel tanks into sustainable businesses — and transform a ceremonial handover into real jobs, incomes and lasting economic independence for Zambia’s youth.

#kinglongmotors 

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 Zambia Hosts Regional Qualifications Framework Workshop to Advance Skills Mobility and Recognition

 By Alain Kabinda 

Zambia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation on qualifications recognition and skills mobility as stakeholders from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) gathered in Lusaka for a three-day engagement on the implementation of the revised SADC Qualifications Framework (SADCQF).

 The workshop, hosted by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA), brings together representatives of the SADC Secretariat, qualifications authorities, quality assurance bodies, education and training institutions, experts and government officials from member states.

 Speaking during the official Opening the meeting, ZAQA Director General Mrs. Mercy Ngoma welcomed delegates to Zambia and emphasized the importance of translating the revised SADCQF policy and guidelines into practical implementation.

                       (Mrs. Mercy Ngoma)

 She noted that the meeting comes at a critical stage in the regional qualifications journey, following the validation of the revised SADCQF Policy and Guidelines by the Technical Committee on Certification and Accreditation in Johannesburg in June. 

“Attention must now turn to preparing for effective implementation and sustaining momentum as the regional approval process advances,” she said. 

Mrs. Ngoma stressed that successful implementation would require the participation of all parts of Zambia's education and training system. 

Their involvement, she said, is intended to ensure that Zambia contributes an integrated national perspective to the development and implementation of the regional framework. 

“The practical experience of institutions working within each sector is essential to producing regional instruments that are technically sound, inclusive and capable of being implemented,” she noted.

 Mrs. Ngoma said the ultimate strength of the SADCQF would depend on collective ownership by member states 

Mrs. Ngoma assured delegates that ZAQA stands ready to support the workshop and contribute to its successful outcomes. 

In the next three days, delegates are expected to review the SADCQF programme of activities for 2026 and 2027, share developments from member states and advance regional guidance on qualifications referencing. Discussions will also cover governance and funding, as well as emerging areas such as micro-credentials and green skills. 

At the heart of the workshop is a challenge that affects students, graduates and workers across the region: the difficulty of having qualifications recognized when people move between SADC countries. 

And ZAQA Board Chairperson Professor Victor Zulu said the regional framework should ultimately make it easier for qualifications and workers to move across borders.

 He highlighted on his experience in the veterinary sector, explaining that Zambia's universities receive students from several countries in the region, including Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

 Prof Zulu also said that these students may successfully complete their studies in Zambia, some encounter difficulties when they return home because their qualifications are not automatically recognized. In some cases, graduates are required to undergo additional examinations or practical assessments before being allowed to practice. 

He further said that this should contribute to a system in which qualifications are more readily understood and recognized across borders, allowing skilled people to pursue employment and professional opportunities without unnecessary barriers. 

ZAQA deliberately extended invitations to institutions responsible for general education, technical and vocational education and training, and higher education, including the Examinations Council of Zambia, TEVETA and the Higher Education Authority. 

And Mr. Philip Tshabalala in the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) South Africa, said the country's participation reflected its commitment to strengthening cooperation within the region and across the continent. 

He reaffirmed South Africa's support for the work of the SADCQF and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration on mutual recognition arrangements. 

The South African delegation includes officials from basic education, higher education and training, and the country's quality assurance structures. 

A regional qualifications framework can provide common reference points that help countries understand how qualifications from different national systems compare. This has implications not only for education institutions, but also for employers, professional bodies, regulators and individuals seeking to study or work across borders. 

While countries have different education and training systems, she observed that they share a common interest in qualifications that are credible, understandable and portable across the region. 

The challenge, therefore, is to balance regional coherence with national realities and ensure that agreements reached at regional level translate into practical action within individual countries. 

The framework is expected to support learners pursuing education across borders, help employers understand the value of qualifications obtained in other SADC countries and enable competent authorities to make fairer and more informed recognition decisions. 

Rather than treating education sectors as isolated systems, stakeholders are advocating for greater alignment between general education, technical and vocational education and training, higher education and occupational standards. 

This integrated approach is particularly important as economies change and new forms of learning emerge. The development of guidelines on micro-credentials and green skills, alongside qualifications referencing, reflects the region's effort to ensure that its qualifications systems remain responsive to changing labour-market needs. 

For Zambia, hosting the workshop provides an opportunity not only to support the regional process but also to strengthen dialogue among its own education and training institutions. 

As delegates begin their deliberations, the message from Lusaka is clear: regional qualifications cooperation is ultimately about more than frameworks, policies and guidelines. It is about creating opportunities for people to learn, work and contribute across borders. 

The success of the revised SADCQF will therefore be measured not only by its adoption, but by whether it helps turn qualifications into genuine pathways for mobility, opportunity and regional integration.

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