By Olusegun A. Ogundeji – Sierra Leone’s telecom regulatory body, National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), has gotten its first director General since its inception in 2006. The profiled and much-talked about post was filled last week by Mohamed Bangura who officially met with the Board of Commissioners, Senior Management and staff of the Commission in a brief introductory ceremony held at the Commission’s HQ, Hill Station. “It is with great pleasure and patriotism that I have responded to his call. And it is also in that same spirit of patriotism that I have accepted the offer of the post of Director... Continue Reading
By Nawa Mutumweno – Loita Capital Partners International, a pan-African investment banking firm with strong roots in Zambia is to host the first ever Zambia Mining and Energy Indaba at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC), Lusaka from May 4 – 6, 2011. Information obtained from the company indicates that the forum is poised to give investors and mining houses an opportunity to understand the vast potential in the country for mineral and energy resources. The Indaba will bring together investors, financiers, mining houses, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders. “The Indaba will focus on project showcases, issues affecting the mining... Continue Reading
By Nawa Mutumweno – The World Bank will early this year give Zambia $171 million to enhance diversification and employment creation in agribusiness. The Bretton Woods institution’s Group president Robert Zoellick has paid tribute to Zambia for its efforts to reform the economy, calling for promotion of inclusive economic growth to create opportunities for rural populations to mitigate poverty. According to a statement obtained from the World Bank office in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, its board of directors will examine $115 million in financing for water infrastructure such as dams and irrigation canals in March 2011 expected to benefit about... Continue Reading
Nawa Mutumweno – Chinese direct investment into Zambia have exceeded $3 billion from $1 billion recorded last year. According to Chinese ambassador to Zambia, Li Qiangmin, Zambia’s exports to China have increased to $2 billion compared with imports of $200 million, signifying the Asian country’s growing consumption of copper and other raw materials needed to fuel the world’s fastest growing economy. The bulk of Chinese investments into the country were in mining while there is growing interest in agriculture, construction and forestry. “By the end of November 2010, the total recorded direct investments from China into Zambia was over $3... Continue Reading
By Nawa Mutumweno – Zambia telecommunications firm, ZAMTEL, will in the next two years invest $180 million (about ZMK 852 billion) to expand and enhance its operations. According to company managing director Hans Paulsen, ZAMTEL plans to invest in infrastructure development to increase its subscriber base to 2 million over the next two years in addition to improving its service provision. “We are in the process of bringing in investment programmes to grow infrastructure. Initially, we had targeted to spend $120 million but we realized this was not enough. We are now going to spend $180 million over the next... Continue Reading
