‘Organic agriculture is extremely important in human life. The food we eat today is grown without real love and care for human life’, says Zambia’s First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, one of the prominent speakers at the 2nd African Organic Conference in Lusaka, Zambia. The conference will attract some 300 participants from more than 40 countries and four continents. Organic agriculture in Africa is growing rapidly. More than 1 million hectares of arable land and at least 530,000 farmers are certified, according to organic standards in Africa. Uganda and Ethiopia have each more than 100,000 certified organic farms and Tanzania... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Tuesday, April 3rd 2012 |
By Nawa Mutumweno – The United State Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a $24 million (ZMK122 trillion) education reform project in Zambia. The Strengthening Education Performance (STEP-UP) Zambia project is intended to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training, to reform the education sector in Zambia. USAID education team leader Wick Powers said in a statement issued in Lusaka recently that the project would run for five years. The project was aimed at, among other issues, assisting the Ministry of Education to improve education management. It also aims at assisting the ministry to raise academic achievements... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Wednesday, February 22nd 2012 |
By Nawa Mutumweno – The Sub-Saharan Gemstone Exchange (SGE) of Zambia and Maysen and Borowski Group of Australia have signed a $3.3 billion deal to construct an oil refinery, dry ports and housing units in Ndola on the Copperbelt. 12 000 jobs will be created during the construction period with another 5 000 once it becomes operational. The oil refinery is scheduled to be constructed in the next five years. “We are very excited about this project. It has come at the right time when the demand for fuel and other by-products is on the rise in the country,” said... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Tuesday, February 21st 2012 |
By Nawa Mutumweno – HSBC Holdings Plc and Rabobank’s Zanaco (Zambia National Commercial Bank) are among the top bidders to become bookmakers for Zambia’s first Eurobond of $700 million. According to Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba, Zambia will meet investors to gauge interest for its debut Eurobond within two months. The Zambian government is seeking two bookmakers and a legal advisor. Rabobank owns 49% of Zanaco. A number of South African and Zambian lenders have also expressed interest in bookmaking for the country following an advertisement in local and foreign newspapers. Zambia is to sell a 10-year Eurobond this... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Tuesday, February 21st 2012 |
By Nawa Mutumweno – Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has invested about $2 billion since London-listed Vedanta Resources took over the Zambian mining firm in 2004. According to KCM’s director of finance Vinod Bhandwat, the company has undertaken projects intended to expand its mining operations and increase production. The company is proud to own the $440 million Nchanga Smelter which replaced the older Nkana Smelter and is the only one of its kind in Africa and only the third in the world. The Nchanga Smelter in Chingola is a first-world benchmark that has greatly enhanced the air quality and reduced the... Continue Reading
Publish Date: Thursday, February 2nd 2012 |
