AIRTEL COMMITS US$100 MILLION TO ZAMBIA INVESTMENT, PROPOSES 10 MILLION SMARTPHONES

By Alain kabinda

LUSAKA – Airtel Zambia has committed to invest a further US$100 million in the country this year and proposed a national initiative to make 10 million additional smartphones available over the next five years to accelerate digital inclusion and economic growth.

The investment commitment comes as the telecommunications company seeks to expand network infrastructure, improve service quality and support the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda, which aims to double the economy within the next five years.

Speaking during a Grow Zambia Breakfast Meeting hosted at Airtel Zambia Airtel Zambia Managing Director Mr. Hussam Baday said the company had invested more than US$100 million in the previous year and was targeting a similar amount in the current year.

                                                    Mr. Hussam Baday

Mr Baday said the investments would support network expansion and other infrastructure development, particularly as demand for reliable connectivity and digital services continued to grow.

He said Airtel's population coverage currently stood at approximately 93 per cent, with the company targeting 96 per cent within two years through further expansion, particularly in rural areas.

He disclosed that approximately 20 per cent of Airtel's network sites were 5G-enabled, with plans to extend coverage and increase network capacity.

Mr Baday said the company's contribution to the economy went beyond telecommunications, as digital connectivity supported productivity and business growth across agriculture, mining, education, healthcare, financial services and tourism.

He identified affordable smartphones as one of the major barriers preventing citizens from fully benefiting from expanding broadband infrastructure.

Citing figures attributed to the latest Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority report, Mr Baday said Zambia had approximately 27 million telecommunications connections, of which about 12.4 million were smartphones.

He warned that maintaining the existing annual growth rate of approximately three percentage points would only raise penetration to about 60 per cent within five years, leaving a significant gap against the country's digital inclusion ambitions.

Mr Baday therefore proposed a coordinated effort involving Government, mobile network operators, financial institutions and development partners to make 10 million additional smartphones available over the next five years.

He suggested that the initiative could include making entry-level devices more affordable through consideration of tax-related measures, expanding device-financing arrangements and developing targeted programmes for low-income households, farmers and women in rural communities.

He said affordable smartphones should be treated as part of the country's digital infrastructure alongside telecommunications towers and broadband networks.

Mr. Baday also highlighted opportunities to deepen financial inclusion, noting that although national financial inclusion stood at approximately 80 per cent, access in rural areas remained significantly lower, at around 22 per cent.

He said expanding mobile money and digital financial services could help underserved communities access financial opportunities and participate more effectively in the economy.

Mr Baday said Airtel was working with UNICEF to connect 300 schools, with plans to increase the number to 500 by the end of the financial year.

He also expressed the company's readiness to support Government's digital transformation through integration with platforms such as ZamPortal and the Government Service Bus.

Meanwhile, Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati commended Airtel for its investment in telecommunications infrastructure, particularly the deployment of 407 towers during the previous year.

                                                                 Mr. Felix Mutati

Mr Mutati described the achievement as the highest number of telecommunications towers delivered in Zambia in a single year and acknowledged the company's increased tax contribution to Government revenue.

He, however, called on telecommunications operators to strengthen collaboration in developing shared infrastructure and expanding the overall market, while maintaining competition in service quality.

The Minister said competition had contributed to increased network coverage, investment and the introduction of technologies such as 5G, but collaboration was necessary to accelerate the country's digital transformation.

He stressed that the ambition of increasing broadband access to 80 per cent within five years needed to be matched by efforts to ensure that citizens could afford smartphones.

Mr Mutati said access to affordable devices would enable more people to use digital Government services, including online payment platforms, and participate in the wider digital economy.

He urged telecommunications operators to align their investment plans with national development priorities, saying the sector had a critical role in supporting economic growth, employment and productivity.

 ZAMBIA, GERMANY SEEK ICT INVESTMENT TO DRIVE US$65 BILLION ECONOMY

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – Zambia is seeking to attract increased investment from German technology companies through stronger business partnerships aimed at accelerating digital transformation and supporting the Government's ambition of growing the economy to US$65 billion.

The push was highlighted at the Zambia–Germany ICT Business Forum, which brought together Government officials, German business delegates, representatives of the Government of Saxony and investment promotion agencies to explore opportunities in information and communication technology (ICT).

The forum focused on investment opportunities in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, innovation, data management and the development of Zambia's digital economy.

Speaking during the forum engagement Ministry of Technology and Science Minister Mr. Felix Mutati said ICT investment is critical to achieving the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda, which seeks to double the country's economy to US$65 billion over the next five years.

Mr. Mutati said digital technology was no longer confined to the telecommunications industry but had become an important driver of productivity across agriculture, mining, manufacturing, commerce and public administration.

He said achieving the economic growth ambition would require stronger national connectivity, improved public service delivery and expanded opportunities for citizens, particularly those in rural communities.

Mr. Mutati also identified five priority areas for digital transformation: trusted digital identity, interoperability, intelligence through data and artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and inclusivity.

He said a trusted digital identity system would improve the delivery of public services by reducing duplication, repeated verification and wastage while ensuring that benefits reached eligible citizens.

Mr. Mutati said Government institutions needed integrated systems that could exchange information, allowing citizens and businesses to access multiple services without repeatedly submitting the same documents.

He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and scientific research to improve productivity, citing the application of AI in mineral exploration, including developments associated with the Mingomba copper project.

Mr. Mutati said Zambia was also prioritising digital infrastructure, revealing that the country's fibre-optic network had expanded from approximately 15,000 kilometres when the current administration assumed office to about 45,000 kilometres by the end of the previous year.

He called for further investment in mobile network coverage, fibre connectivity and reliable infrastructure to ensure that underserved communities were not excluded from the digital economy.

The Minister also identified the cost of smartphones as a barrier to digital inclusion and called for collaboration to make devices more affordable.

Mr. Mutati challenged participants to translate discussions into actual investment transactions, joint ventures and partnerships.

He called for cooperation guided by the principle of Ubuntu, emphasising that the economic progress of Zambia and its international partners should be mutually beneficial.

The Minister urged participants to ensure that tangible progress was achieved within four weeks, including partnerships and transactions that could be reported to the President.

And German Ambassador to Zambia Soenke Siemon reaffirmed Germany's commitment to supporting Zambia's digital transformation, highlighting existing cooperation in public financial management, revenue administration and business regulation.

He cited Germany's support towards the provision of a business intelligence data warehouse for the Zambia Revenue Authority to facilitate the integration of internal data.

Other areas of cooperation include support for a digital revenue management system in Choma and beneficial ownership reforms at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency.

Mr Siemon said the private sector was central to developing the ICT industry, noting that German companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, had considerable experience and technological expertise that could benefit Zambia.

He encouraged Zambian businesses to establish partnerships with German companies, especially those from Saxony, to promote technology transfer, innovation and investment.

Meanwhile, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Director General Mr. Halbert Halwampa said the forum demonstrated growing international interest in Zambia as an investment destination for technology and innovation.

Mr. Halwampa said ZDA had digitised its investment facilitation services, enabling foreign investors to apply for investment licences online without travelling to Zambia or submitting physical applications.

He said applications could be processed within hours, demonstrating how digital systems were reducing administrative barriers and improving the investment environment.

He identified policy stability, Government commitment to investment promotion, evidence-based policymaking and macroeconomic stability as important factors supporting Zambia's investment attractiveness.

However, Mr Halwampa acknowledged that access to finance and achieving financial closure remained challenges for investors.

Also, ZDA had introduced the Zambia Investment Deal Room, a digital platform designed to connect investors with potential financiers in sectors including ICT, energy, mining and agriculture.

The platform provides an opportunity for investors and financiers to engage, structure transactions and explore funding arrangements for investment projects.

Mr Halwampa also highlighted investment incentives available in the ICT sector, particularly opportunities relating to data centre development, and assured German investors of ZDA's support in accessing applicable incentives.

Representing the Government of Saxony, Marcus Franke said international partnerships were most effective when they produced practical business outcomes and opportunities for communities.

Mr. Franke highlighted the role of entrepreneurs and business leaders in strengthening cooperation between Zambia and Germany, saying private-sector initiatives could generate investment opportunities and economic benefits.

He also identified Zambia's potential to serve as a regional business and technology hub for Southern Africa.

Mr Franke expressed optimism that the partnership would create new opportunities for businesses in both countries based on equality and shared development objectives.

The Zambia–Germany ICT Business Forum comes at a time when digital infrastructure, data services, artificial intelligence and technology-driven businesses are becoming increasingly important to economic competitiveness.

For Zambia, attracting German investment could support the development of digital infrastructure, strengthen local technology businesses, improve public administration and create opportunities for skills development and employment.

The success of the engagement will ultimately depend on translating the business discussions into actual investments, technology transfer and sustainable partnerships that contribute to the country's US$65 billion economic ambition.

 AIRTEL ZAMBIA MD HUSSAM BADAY WINS CX STRATEGIC LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD

LUSAKA – Airtel Zambia Managing Director Hussam Baday has been recognised as CX Strategic Leader of the Year at the 2026 Customer Experience Excellence Awards, highlighting the growing importance of customer experience in the telecommunications industry.

The award recognises Mr Baday's leadership in advancing customer experience and strengthening the focus on customer-centred service delivery within the telecommunications sector.

The recognition also places the spotlight on Airtel Zambia's efforts to improve how customers interact with its products and services in an increasingly competitive and digitally driven telecommunications market.

Customer experience has become an important differentiating factor among telecommunications companies as consumers increasingly expect reliable connectivity, accessible digital platforms, responsive customer support and convenient service delivery.

The recognition of Mr Baday at the 2026 Customer Experience Excellence Awards comes at a time when the telecommunications industry is experiencing rapid technological changes, with digital services and mobile connectivity playing an increasingly important role in business operations and everyday life.

The award highlights the importance of strategic leadership in ensuring that customer satisfaction remains central to business growth, innovation and service delivery.

As Zambia's telecommunications market continues to evolve, customer experience is expected to remain a key consideration in attracting and retaining subscribers, building consumer confidence and strengthening brand competitiveness.

Mr Baday's recognition therefore provides an opportunity to highlight the role of leadership in shaping customer-focused business strategies and supporting the continued development of Zambia's digital economy.

 FROM 10,000MW TO ELECTRIC TRUCKS: ZAMBIA'S NEW INDUSTRIAL AMBITION

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA – Zambia's ambition to become a regional industrial and logistics powerhouse is increasingly being defined by two major economic priorities: securing reliable electricity and transforming the way goods are transported.

From a US$12 billion investment requirement to expand electricity generation and infrastructure to the introduction of fully electric commercial trucks, the country is positioning itself for an industrial transition that could reshape its mining, agriculture, construction and transport sectors.

At the centre of this ambition is the Government's target of increasing electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts by 2031, a goal that reflects the growing recognition that energy is not simply a utility but the foundation of economic production.

However, as Zambia pursues this target, the introduction of electric commercial vehicles by Pilatus Engineering Company Limited, in partnership with international manufacturer SANY, presents another dimension of the country's economic transformation.

This follows at the second edition of the PowerElect Zambia International Exhibition and Conference in Lusaka, where Ministry of Energy Director Raphael Zimba provided an indication of the scale of investment required to realise the country's ambitions.

And representing the Permanent Secretary for Electricity, Mr Zimba said Zambia would need approximately US$12 billion across the entire energy value chain to achieve its 10,000MW electricity generation target.

He said the country was moving from economic stabilisation towards accelerated growth under the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda.

According to Mr Zimba, electricity generation capacity had increased from approximately 3,777MW in 2025 to about 4,777MW, representing progress towards the national target.

"We have increased our generation capacity from about 3,777 in 2025 to currently at about 4,777, so that is how we are approaching towards our 10,000 megawatts target, and we believe that it is achievable," he said.

But achieving 10,000MW will require more than constructing additional power plants. Zambia must also strengthen transmission and distribution networks to ensure that electricity reaches industries, businesses and communities efficiently.

Mr Zimba therefore called on local and international investors to explore opportunities in power generation, transmission and distribution.

He said the anticipated growth in mining and agriculture would create additional demand for electricity, providing a strong investment case for the sector.

The Government's production ambitions include 10 million tonnes of maize, three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soya beans, one million tonnes of wheat and one million tonnes of sugar.

For Zambia, therefore, the 10,000MW ambition is closely connected to the broader objective of increasing production, creating employment and strengthening the country's position in regional and international markets.

For decades, the country's electricity system has relied heavily on hydropower. However, climate variability and changing weather patterns have demonstrated the risks associated with dependence on a single major energy source.

ZARENA Board Member Dr Chilala Kakoma Bowa said Zambia had entered a period of technological transformation requiring innovation beyond conventional hydropower generation.

She called for hybrid energy systems, decentralised generation and digital integration, including utility-scale solar photovoltaic installations supported by long-duration battery energy storage systems.

"Transitioning our power system is no longer a theoretical debate, it is an engineering and economic imperative," Dr Bowa said.

Her concerns reflect the growing importance of building a power system capable of responding to changing climatic conditions while meeting increasing electricity demand.

As Zambia seeks to strengthen its electricity infrastructure, the transport industry is also beginning to embrace technologies that could change how commercial businesses operate.

To this end Pilatus Engineering Company Limited has introduced SANY's diesel-powered and fully electric commercial trucks to the Zambian market, expanding the options available to businesses in mining, construction, agriculture and logistics.

Speaking at the launch, Infrastructure and Urban Development Minister Collins Nzovu said the introduction of the trucks was consistent with the Government's Grow Zambia Agenda.

He said Zambia's ambitions to produce 10 million tonnes of maize and three million tonnes of copper depended on reliable transportation systems capable of moving commodities to local and international markets.

With the country sharing borders with eight nations, Mr Nzovu said Zambia had an opportunity to become a major regional logistics and transport hub.

He identified infrastructure projects such as the Lobito Corridor as important in improving regional connectivity and opening up trade opportunities.

The Minister also encouraged the adoption of electric vehicles, saying Government was promoting cleaner transportation and had directed public institutions to consider electric vehicles in their procurement plans.

Information presented at the launch indicated that some SANY electric trucks could achieve driving ranges of up to 800 kilometres and featured rapid-charging technology.

And Pilatus Managing Director Angelika Huwiler Andersen said the company was investing in technical training, after-sales services and spare-parts availability to support customers.

She disclosed that Pilatus planned to establish a workshop in 2027, alongside a diesel laboratory and a satellite workshop on the Copperbelt.

These investments are expected to strengthen local technical support and provide the infrastructure necessary to encourage businesses to consider electric commercial vehicles. The system allows a depleted battery to be exchanged for a fully charged one at a compatible station, reducing the time vehicles spend waiting for conventional charging.

Six models were introduced to the Zambian market, including two diesel tractor heads, a heavy commercial electric truck, a light electric truck, a diesel dump truck and an electric dump truck.

Ms Andersen said SANY had deployed approximately 45,000 electric heavy trucks across 50 countries and regions.

She also cited the manufacturer's Guinness World Record distance of 817.5 kilometres achieved by a loaded electric truck as an indication of its technological capabilities.

For local transport operators, the availability of electric trucks could offer an opportunity to reconsider conventional fleet operations, although the commercial benefits will depend on vehicle prices, financing costs, electricity tariffs, charging availability and maintenance arrangements.

Meawhile Pilatus General Manager for SANY Trucks Faisal Nanavat said the company had signed Memoranda of Understanding with commercial banks operating Vehicle and Asset Finance divisions to help prospective customers access financing.

A representative of Skylark disclosed that the company was considering purchasing 10 SANY trucks as part of its fleet expansion plans while exploring a driver ownership scheme with BHL.

The country cannot achieve its industrial production targets without reliable electricity, just as increased production cannot deliver its full economic value without efficient transportation and logistics systems.

The proposed US$12 billion investment in the energy value chain and the introduction of electric commercial vehicles therefore represent complementary opportunities in the country's development journey.

However, the transition will require more than ambitious targets and technology launches. It will depend on actual investment, reliable infrastructure, affordable financing, technical skills and policies that encourage private-sector participation.

For electric mobility to become commercially viable, Zambia must also ensure that electricity supply is dependable and that charging and battery-swapping infrastructure develops alongside the growth of electric vehicle fleets.

Similarly, expanding electricity generation must be matched by investments in transmission, distribution and energy storage to ensure that increased capacity translates into reliable power for productive sectors.

For Zambia, the journey from 4,777MW towards 10,000MW is therefore about more than electricity generation. It is about building the foundation for a productive economy. And as electric trucks begin entering the country's commercial transport market, a new chapter is emerging in the relationship between energy, technology and industrial development.

 

NGOCC WARNS ZAMBIA STAGNATING ON WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN LEADERSHIP

By Alain Kabinda

The Non-governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has raised concern over the low representation of women in Zambia’s political leadership, saying the appointment of five women among 40 Cabinet and Provincial Ministers falls short of progress towards gender equality.

NGOCC has congratulated the five women appointed to ministerial positions following the August 13, 2026 General Elections but said women’s representation remains disproportionately low despite their contribution to national development.

The five are Olive Clara Chiboola, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock; Dr Caroline Chanda Katotobwe, Minister of Trade and Exports; Brenda Tambatamba, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development; Princess Kasune, Minister of Tourism; and Sheal Mulyata, Minister of Community Development and Social Services.

In a statement issued by Executive Director Anne Mbewe-Anamela, NGOCC expressed confidence that the ministers would contribute positively to their respective sectors and advance the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the women in carrying out their ministerial responsibilities.

However, NGOCC said the five appointments represented only 12.5 per cent of the 40 Cabinet and Provincial Minister positions, highlighting what it described as persistent gender imbalances in public leadership.

According to the organisation, women occupy five of the 30 Cabinet positions, representing 16.7 per cent, while none of the 10 Provincial Minister positions has been allocated to a woman.

NGOCC further noted that no woman with a disability had been included among the appointments.

It also expressed concern that only one of the 26 women who entered Parliament through Proportional Representation had been appointed to Cabinet, while seven of the 11 available presidential nomination slots had so far gone to men.

“These figures demonstrate that Zambia is not making progress toward gender parity,” NGOCC said.

The organisation said the latest appointments reflected limited improvement compared with the situation following the 2021 General Elections.

At the time, women held four of the 25 Cabinet positions and one of the 10 Provincial Minister positions, representing 14.3 per cent of the combined 35 positions.

NGOCC said that five years later, despite the expansion of Cabinet from 25 to 30 positions, the number of women in ministerial leadership remained virtually unchanged.

It argued that the figures reflected structural barriers affecting women’s participation at different stages of political representation, including adoption, nomination, election and appointment.

The organisation also pointed to the low number of women winning constituency seats, saying only about one in seven constituency seats was won by a woman.

According to NGOCC, rigid political structures and policy frameworks that fail to establish a level playing field continue to disadvantage women seeking elected and appointed leadership positions.

The organisation said increasing women’s representation required deliberate measures to address these barriers rather than relying on gradual changes in political participation.

NGOCC has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to take deliberate steps to increase women’s representation in future public appointments.

It identified the remaining four presidentially nominated Member of Parliament positions as an immediate opportunity to improve the gender balance in national leadership.

The organisation also urged greater consideration of women in appointments to positions such as Permanent Secretaries, District Commissioners, diplomatic missions, commissions and public boards.

NGOCC said such measures would demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to inclusive governance and its obligations under international and regional instruments promoting gender equality.

These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Southern African Development Community Gender Protocol.

The organisation argued that women’s representation should not be treated as a favour but as an important element of democratic participation and inclusive development.

NGOCC said women constitute more than half of Zambia’s population but remain underrepresented in senior decision-making positions.

The organisation called for sustained action to ensure that women have greater opportunities to contribute to policy formulation, public administration and national development.

It said increasing women’s representation across elected and appointed positions would help demonstrate the country’s commitment to gender-responsive leadership and its regional and international obligations.

While congratulating the five newly appointed ministers, NGOCC stressed that their appointments should be accompanied by broader efforts to address the persistent imbalance in women’s representation.

The organisation said the remaining nomination opportunities and future public appointments provided avenues for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to more inclusive leadership.

For NGOCC, the central issue is not only the number of women appointed to ministerial positions, but whether Zambia can establish a political and institutional environment in which women have equitable opportunities to participate in leadership at all levels.

 

ZAMBIA’S NEW CHAPTER IN CHINA TRADE

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — When a truck carrying nine tonnes of processed silk cocoons left Mpika for China in late September, it carried more than an agricultural product. It carried a glimpse of what Zambia’s export future could look like beyond copper.

For decades, copper has dominated Zambia’s trade relationship with China. Now, mulberry fields in Muchinga Province, soybean farms in Serenje and plans for a vaccine manufacturing facility in Lusaka are pointing towards a broader economic partnership built around agriculture, industrial development and public health.

A month after the silk shipment, another consignment followed. This time, 120 tonnes of soybeans from CAMCO Demonstration Farms in Serenje were shipped to China, opening another potential market for Zambian agricultural producers.

The two shipments represent early milestones in a changing trade landscape, supported by China’s decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to imports from African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations.

At a media briefing in Lusaka on October 22, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing described the policy as an opportunity for African countries to expand exports and strengthen their participation in international trade.

                                                      Mr. Han Jing

“Since 1st May this year, China has applied zero tariffs on 100% of tariff lines to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations,” Ambassador Han said.

He said the policy made China the first major economy to extend full, unilateral zero-tariff coverage across all tariff lines to those African partners.

Zambia’s relationship with China has long been associated with mining, particularly copper. But the latest developments suggest that agriculture and manufacturing could play a greater role in the next phase of cooperation.

According to Chinese customs data cited by Ambassador Han, Zambia’s exports to China reached US$1.665 billion in May and June 2026, representing a 39.16 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2025.

The figures point to growing trade, although the contribution of individual sectors and the extent to which the latest agricultural shipments will increase Zambia’s export earnings over time remain important questions.

Under China’s zero-tariff policy, eligible Zambian products can enter the Chinese market without applicable customs duties. This could improve their price competitiveness, but it does not automatically guarantee sales.

Exporters must still meet product standards, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, transport costs and the expectations of buyers.

For agricultural producers, the opportunity will depend on whether Zambia can consistently supply the required volumes while maintaining quality and competitive prices.

In Muchinga Province, the Zambia Mupika Sericulture Company is cultivating a crop that could introduce a new dimension to Zambia’s agricultural economy.

The first shipment of nine tonnes of heat-processed cocoons to China in late September marked a new export milestone for the country.

Ambassador Han said the company was targeting annual production of 30 tonnes, with the potential to generate foreign exchange, create employment and support value addition.

He also cited estimates suggesting that sericulture could generate more than ten times the income per unit of land compared with maize.

That comparison offers an indication of the industry's potential, although actual returns will depend on production costs, yields, processing requirements and prevailing market prices.

If the industry expands sustainably, opportunities could emerge not only in mulberry cultivation and silkworm production, but also in processing, logistics and related services.

However, the initial shipment is only the beginning. The industry will need dependable buyers, appropriate technical skills, consistent production and investment in processing to establish itself as a lasting contributor to the local economy.

For Muchinga, the challenge is to turn an emerging export activity into a viable industry that delivers benefits beyond the first consignment.

In Serenje, the opportunity is rooted in a crop already familiar to Zambian farmers.

The 120-tonne soybean shipment from CAMCO Demonstration Farms represents a trial consignment into a market with substantial demand.

Ambassador Han said China imports more than 110 million tonnes of soybeans globally each year, offering a potentially significant destination for competitive Zambian producers.

Zambia’s own ambition is to produce three million tonnes of soybeans annually by 2031 under President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda.

Reaching that target would require more than access to foreign buyers. Farmers would need improved productivity, reliable inputs, storage facilities, efficient transport and dependable market arrangements.

The zero-tariff policy could help eligible Zambian soybeans compete in China, but exporters would still have to meet the country’s import requirements and deliver products at commercially viable prices.

Investment in processing could allow Zambia to produce higher-value soybean products, strengthen domestic supply chains and create employment in manufacturing and distribution.

Ambassador Han said discussions were also progressing towards market access for Zambian avocados and citrus fruits.

Zambian honey, which has already reached Chinese consumers through the China International Import Expo, provides another example of how local products could reach buyers in the Asian market.

Ambassador Han identified production capacity, market access and infrastructure as three areas requiring cooperation to help Zambian products reach Chinese consumers.

The first is capacity building. This includes training Zambian inspectors in quarantine and safety standards and improving processing technologies so that products meet Chinese import requirements.

The second is market development through platforms such as the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, e-commerce and wholesale distribution channels.

Ambassador Han highlighted the planned revitalisation of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority railway as an opportunity to reduce transport costs and improve the movement of goods to export markets.

He also encouraged Chinese investment in agro-processing and food manufacturing within Zambia’s Multi-Facility Economic Zones.

These investments could help bridge the gap between agricultural production and industrial development, allowing more processing and economic activity to take place within Zambia.

For small-scale farmers and local businesses to benefit, however, access to these opportunities must extend beyond major exporters and large commercial operations.

While agricultural exports could bring more Zambian products into international markets, a separate China-Zambia initiative seeks to strengthen the country’s domestic industrial and health capacity.

The proposed Zamvax vaccine manufacturing project brings together China’s JIJIA International Medical Technology Co. Ltd and Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation.

The partnership’s memorandum of understanding was signed on October 7, 2024, in the presence of President Hakainde Hichilema.

According to Ambassador Han, the project will be developed in three phases, beginning with a cholera vaccine fill-and-finish plant in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone.

The first phase represents a planned investment of US$10 million, with an annual production capacity of 20 million doses.

Ambassador Han said construction was expected to begin before the end of October 2026.

The second phase is projected to involve approximately US$150 million for two additional human vaccines, while the third phase will focus on animal vaccines to support Zambia’s livestock sector.

The project introduces a different dimension to the economic relationship: instead of focusing only on what Zambia can sell abroad, it raises the prospect of manufacturing essential products locally.

Ambassador Han said domestic vaccine production could strengthen public health preparedness, reduce reliance on imported finished vaccines and support a faster response to outbreaks.

“This project means far more than a factory. It strengthens public health capacity, cuts reliance on imported vaccines, and enables faster local response to outbreaks,” he said.

If completed and operated successfully, the facility could create skilled jobs and contribute to the development of Zambia’s pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

However, the first phase’s fill-and-finish model would involve completing vaccine products from supplied materials. It should not be confused with producing every component of a vaccine entirely within Zambia.

For the investment to deliver its anticipated public health benefits, the facility will also need to meet stringent quality standards and establish reliable supplies, distribution arrangements and sustainable demand.

Ambassador Han placed the initiatives within the broader history of relations between Zambia and China, which established diplomatic ties shortly after Zambia gained independence in October 1964.

He recalled the construction of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway as an example of cooperation that helped connect landlocked Zambia to regional and international markets.

The railway became an important part of the country’s transport and trade infrastructure, linking Zambia to the Tanzanian coast.

Today, the Ambassador said, the same spirit of cooperation was being carried forward through new agricultural exports, industrial investments and health-sector manufacturing.

“The soybeans crossing oceans, cocoons leaving Mpika, and vaccines to be produced in Lusaka all carry that same spirit forward,” he said.

China’s zero-tariff policy provides a potential opening, but Zambia must build the productive capacity needed to take advantage of it.

From the mulberry fields of Muchinga to the soybean farms of Serenje and the planned vaccine plant in Lusaka, the emerging story is one of possibility rather than a finished transformation.

The nine tonnes of silk cocoons and 120 tonnes of soybeans are early steps. The proposed vaccine facility represents a longer-term industrial ambition.

Together, they point towards a future in which Zambia’s economic relationship with China could encompass more than minerals — provided that market access and investment commitments translate into sustainable industries, competitive exports and tangible benefits for Zambian communities.

 

UNILUS GRADUATES 1,706 AS VICE CHANCELLOR SAYS DEGREE ALONE NO LONGER ENOUGH

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — The University of Lusaka (UNILUS) has graduated 1,706 students, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Pinalo Chifwanakeni challenging graduates to translate their academic qualifications into practical solutions that address industry needs, unemployment and national development.

Speaking during the university’s 20th Graduation Ceremony held on Saturday under the theme “Relevance – Building Education that Matters for Industry, Society, National Development and Internationally,” Prof. Chifwanakeni said the value of higher education should be measured by its practical application rather than the possession of a degree alone.

He said rapid technological advancement, artificial intelligence, climate change and changing labour market demands had made it necessary for universities to produce graduates equipped with practical skills, innovation and the ability to adapt.

“In a world defined by rapid technological change, Artificial Intelligence, climate change and shifting labour markets, a degree is no longer enough. Its true metric lies in its practical application,” Prof. Chifwanakeni said.

He said UNILUS had built its growth over 19 years around remaining relevant to industry, society and the future, evolving from a small university into an institution offering programmes across law, medicine and health sciences, technology and engineering, and business, alongside a teaching hospital.

According to Prof. Chifwanakeni, the university has integrated entrepreneurship, practical attachments and innovation into its programmes to prepare graduates not only to seek employment but also to create jobs.

“Our programmes are designed with and for industry. Our graduates are not expected to just seek jobs but also create them. This is why we have integrated entrepreneurship, practical attachment, and innovation across all programmes,” He said.

He added that higher education should contribute to addressing practical challenges affecting communities, including limited access to justice, inadequate access to quality healthcare, poverty and unemployment.

“Education must solve real problems — access to justice, access to quality healthcare, poverty and unemployment. Our graduates are trained to serve humanity first,” He said.

To strengthen the relevance of its qualifications, Prof. Chifwanakeni said all UNILUS programmes had been accredited by the Higher Education Authority and aligned with the Zambia Qualifications Framework.

He said the university had also reviewed curricula to incorporate artificial intelligence, digital literacy, entrepreneurship and work-based learning, while providing students with industrial attachments.

The institution has further engaged industry practitioners in teaching and signed memoranda of understanding with hospitals, law firms, financial institutions and non-governmental organisations to strengthen links between academic training and professional practice.

Prof. Chifwanakeni said these measures were intended to ensure that graduates entered the labour market with competencies responsive to the needs of employers and society.

He also highlighted the university’s contribution to the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, saying its academic programmes supported skills development, industrialisation, small and medium-sized enterprise growth and job creation.

Other areas of contribution include health security and human capital development through the training of doctors and nurses, access to justice and good governance through legal education, and digital transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence and digital literacy into academic programmes.

Prof. Chifwanakeni said ethical conduct and accountability remained essential to sustainable national development.

“Growth without integrity collapses. We embed ethics, patriotism and accountability – ensuring Grow Zambia is sustainable,” He said.

Of the 1,706 graduands, 641 were from the School of Postgraduate Studies, making it the largest graduating cohort.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences produced 401 graduates, followed by the School of Business, Economics and Management with 352, the School of Law with 191, and the School of Technology and Engineering with 121.

The figures reflect the range of academic disciplines represented at the ceremony, spanning professional training, business, technology and postgraduate education.

Addressing the graduands, Prof. Chifwanakeni urged them to uphold the university’s reputation through professionalism, integrity and the practical application of the knowledge and skills they had acquired.

“To our graduands: You are the evidence of our RELEVANCE. Go out and defend the UNILUS brand. Let your work ethic, integrity and skill show that UNILUS education is relevant, rigorous and respected,” He said.

He thanked parents and guardians for entrusting the university with the education of their children, and commended members of staff for their dedication to teaching and learning.

The graduands were subsequently presented to the Chancellor for the conferral of their respective degrees, marking the completion of their academic programmes and the beginning of their transition into professional practice and other fields of endeavour.