Zambia Kwacha Chaos: BOZ Response
Editor's note: A recent statement from the Governor of the Bank of Zambia on the sharp depreciation of the Kwacha which has seen it breach K9 per US$1 and now looks inevitable to reach K10 as copper...
View ArticleZambia in Figures (1964 - 2014)
A very helpful statistical pack covering key figures since independence. This should hopefully help eliminate confusion over competing figures quoted in the media.AUTHORChola MukangaCopyright © Zambian...
View ArticleZambia Kwacha Chaos : State House Response
Editor's note : President Lungu has issued a formal statement on the rapid depreciation of the Kwacha. The Kwacha today was trading above K10 per US$1. The Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya...
View ArticleZambia's economic woes goes viral
We recently shared this post on Facebook which has gone viral. it has been wonderfully exciting to see it re-shared countless times. Most importantly it has generated interesting discussions about how...
View ArticleZambia is downgraded again!
Editor's note : The ratings agency Moody's recently downgraded Zambia's credit rating from 'B1' to 'B2' based on "sustained deterioration in fiscal and debt metrics" in the context "lower growth...
View ArticleZambia Budget 2016
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda delivered the Budget Statement 2016 on Friday. A fairly boring budget with nothing new really, which is as expected given the chaotic fiscal and monetary situation...
View ArticleOn Break!
I am currently taking time off writing to renew my batteries and spend some time thinking around various issues on the ground. Will resume in December.God willing we will have much more consistency and...
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A nation that imports onions!
Zambia needs to urgently rethink its growth model. It does not make sense to have an urban growth model built on building countless shopping malls stuffed with foreign products. In one shopping...
View ArticleZambia suffers mining job losses
Konkola Copper Mines has suspended operations at its Nchanga underground mine in Chingola with effect from Friday, 27th November 2015. The mine will be back in operation "when market conditions...
View ArticleGood news on the constitution
The big news in Zambia this past week is that the Constitution Amendment Bill passed the second reading in Parliament. 106 PF and MMD MPs voted in favour defeating UPND and its small UPND leaning MMD...
View ArticleZambia's Tinbergen Moment
A reader recently asked for more explanation on the precise challenges facing Zambia. This is a huge question! We have already said much about this subject through many posts, especially on our...
View ArticlePricing in dollars
The government is apparently considering reintroduction of suspended Statutory Instrument (SI) 33 of 2012 which prohibits quoting prices in dollars, according to the Ministry of Finance. Times of...
View ArticleElectricity goes down and up!
Government last week increased electricity tariffs for residential and non-mining commercial customers. Prices to residential consumers have increased by 205%. Non-mining commercial prices have...
View ArticleIMF- Zambia Watch (November 2015)
IMF Staff Concludes Visit to ZambiaPress Release No. 15/531November 20, 2015End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a...
View ArticleIMF - Zambia Watch (March 2016)
Editor's note: The latest IMF statement on Zambia confirms the gloomy state of the economy. The only good news at present is the stability of the exchange rate. How long that holds depends on fast the...
View ArticleZambia's mining challenges
Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) is planning to invest over US$1 billion as part of its construction of three new mine shafts. The company plans to make the investments between now and 2018, as part of what...
View ArticleThe Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill 2015
The Government has published the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill 2015 which will take forward the enactment of specific clauses which are not subject to the referendum. The public are asked to...
View ArticleAusterity or Bust?
A recent article by the Government think tank ZIPAR on Zambia's rising Eurobond debts carries the following observation :With the [current] economic malaise, it is therefore not surprising that the...
View ArticleBroke Parastatals
An interesting statement from Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda. He says only 7 parastatals are currently declaring dividends. The rest are loss making :There are as many as forty State-owned...
View ArticleZambia Monetary Policy Statement (August 2015)
Editor's note : The Bank of Zambia released its quarterly monetary policy statement in August. It noted the need for fiscal consolidation, by addressing revenue shortfalls and rationalising...
View ArticleZambia MTEF 2016-18 and 2016 Budget
The Government has released the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2016 - 2018 and the outline for the 2016 budget. This is essentially the PF plan for re-election as this will be last budget...
View ArticleAdmin Update
To let you know that I have taken an extended break from updating on this blod due to other commitments. However, I will return in the future. In the meantime do enjoy the existing content.And if you...
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Zambia's falling education standards!
By Michael ChishalaAbout thirty years ago, the Zambian public education system was something to talk about. We had quality expatriate teachers from all over the world (eg India, West Africa, East...
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Africa's Incredible Economic Potential
Editor's note: The article below highlights Africa's economic potential in ten charts. It has been put together by Michael Johnston, senior analyst for All Emerging Markets. If some key hurdles can be...
View ArticleCorruption, Poverty and the Capable State
Editor's note : Ricardo Hausmann argues that preoccupation with fighting corruption does not end poverty, and in many cases does not produce growth. What produces growth is having a capable state,...
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