Zambia Safari New Country Club Hotel

Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has awarded land to Legacy Holdings Zambia (LHZ) for the development of a country club hotel. The piece of land is in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.

Legacy Holdings development director Renatus Mushige has announced that a Tourism Concession Agreement (TCA) with ZAWA has since been signed.

What are to be constructed are a country club estate and the Mosi-Oa_Tunya Hotel. The Legacy hotel will be the second allowed to be built in a recognized world heritage site in Zambia following the construction of a combo of two Sun International Hotels opened in April 2001.

There are guidelines regarding development in a world heritage site. The project must not disturb or temper with the natural environment just as the construction of the Sun Hotel Resort left the area undisturbed. In the case of the sun Resort the roofs of the buildings do not protrude above the treetops. So the original status of the environment in the national park next to the mighty, breathtaking and mystic Victoria Falls just outside Livingstone city still remains undisturbed.

Equinox Copper Ventures

Equinox Copper Ventures (ECV) owners of Lumwana Copper Project (LCP) believe that their multi-million dollar investment will place Zambia at the centre-stage of world mining. And EVC has changed its name to Lumwana Copper Mines (LCM)

LCM managing director, Harry Michael recently told Zambian government delegation to the development site that toured LCP now currently under construction that Equinox was committed to developing the project into a world-class enterprise. The project will take two years. Mine production is expected to start early in 2008.

Mr Michael said LCP is set to become the largest copper mine in Africa. LCP has developed an environmental policy that ensures that mining activity will have minimal impact on the environment. Michael has pioneered two successful gold mines in Ghana and Tanzania which were Greenfield projects like Lumwana

LCP will build a new town to accommodate the miners. There will be schools, hospital, shops and recreational facilities. A brand new town in the bush!

ZNTB in Canada-USA Road Show

Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) managing director Charity Lumpa announced the start of the Canada-USA Road Show in San Francisco on June 19, 2006. Lumpa said Zambia’s tourism sector was growing fast. She urged American Travel Trade to partner with private sector tour operators in Zambia to enhance the growth of Zambia’s tourism.

“Zambia is a growing destination with a keen eye and promotion of sustainable tourism and eco-tourism products offerings,” Said Lumpa. ZNTB had arranged a six-city road show in the USA and Canada to promote awareness of the Zambia tour operator sector and familiarize Zambia operators to the American counterparts. Alendo Travel and Tour and Zambia Safari Company Limited accompanied ZNTB officials.

The six cities are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Washington DC, New Jersey and Toronto. In San Francisco 611 tour operators and travel agents attended the road show meetings while a total of 74 attended the Los Angeles presentation. In 2005 ZNTB organized a five-city show in the USA and Canada.

President of Sacramental Association for the Promotion of Tourism (SAPT) Kathy Moroney said the Zambian team’s visit was timely as SAPT was looking for new destinations for the growing numbers of African travelers.

Zambezi Resources (ZR) Strike Gold

Zambezi Resources Limited (ZRL) has staked a gold deposit in Chongwe some 60 odd kilometers east of Lusaka City. Lusaka is a fast growing city in Central Africa and the capital city of Zambia. ZRL has reported the presence of high-grade gold deposits at its Chumbwe prospect in Chongwe district. Recently they also announced a find of high-grade uranium at its Oryx prospect in the same area

ZRL managing director Julian Ford said the results at Chumbwe deposits are 27.12g per tonne over 1.3m, 5.12g per tonne over 3,0m, 8.41g per tonne at 1.64m and 7.02g per tonne at 1.0m. These assay result were from the drilling of 24 boreholes using reverse circulation (RC). Three boreholes even showed visible gold flakes and nuggets. This represents a drilled resource measuring 500m and the eastern limit still remains open ended.

More drilling is planned in the second half of this year to determine the extent of gold mineralisation at Chumbwe. 33 boreholes will be drilled to complete the drilling programme.

Albindon and Africa’s Largest Nickel Mine

Albindon Limited is a metal mining and exploration company largely interested nickel. Albidon has just doubled its resource estimate of its new prospect at Munali Project up from 49,000 to 97,000 tonnes of contained nickel metal. But the project is more robust... The Munali nickel deposit also contains over 223,000 ounces of platinum group of metals.

Albidon managing director Dale Rogers announced in the 2005 annual report that several key milestones were achieved including the bankable feasibility study (BFS) for the development of the enterprise at Munali near Mazabuka about 65 kms south of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city.

Rogers was thrilled, “This is an outstanding achievement and establishes the enterprise as one of the most substantial undeveloped nickel sulphide deposit in the world.”

The development of the mine will include a concentrator but the smelting will be sources abroad. Interested would be partners are from Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.

But what is Albidon’s policy? To confine its activities to countries that have satisfactory infrastructure, political stability and attractive fiscal regimes in addition to the demonstrated geological prospectivity. Zambia fits that bill like a hand in a glove.

Bio-Fuel Production in Zambia

Zambia is to start bio-fuel production by December 2006, Zambia’s energy minister Felix Mutati announced at the end of May 2006. He was visiting Zambia’s largest cane sugar plantation (Nakambala) and factory owned by Illovo near Mazabuka. The plantation is located on the Kafue River Flats.

Zambia Sugar Plc (ZS) managing director Paul de Robillard said company had the capacity to produce between 12 million litres and 13 million litres of ethanol at their present sugar production. ZS produces 50,000 metric tonnes of molasses and intends to increase this to 100,000 metric tonnes by 2010.

This would double its ethanol production to at least 22 million litres. Currently all molasses ZS produces goes into the domestic livestock sector and a few tonnes are exported within the region.

Mutati said that the government was reviewing the National Energy Policy and the energy legal framework to guide production of bio-fuel. Ethanol can be blended with petrol and the current 13 million litres of ethanol would represent 15 percent Zambia’s petrol consumption.

Zambia’s climate is suitable for cane production. That’s why two new plantations have been established and both produce sugar. One is on the other side of the Kafue, Zambia's second largest river and the other is in the Northern Province.

M-Net Promotes Zambia Safari

A television crew from M-Net’s Studio 53 was in Zambia between March 14 and 20 to promote tourism from northern part of the country. Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) said the TV crew was in Zambia to film sites from Northern Zambia dubbed the “Northern Circuit” to promote tourism to African market.

The “Visit Zambia” campaign would this year focus on the “Northern Circuit” under the theme “Zambia, the land of magnificent waterfalls.” This would expose tourist attractions in the northern part of Zambia.

M-Net crew filmed the waterfalls such as Lumangwe, Kalambo, Chisimba, Ntumbachushi and Kabwelume. Other attractions filmed were Nsalu and Nachikufu caves, Lakes Mweru, Bangeweulu and Tanganyika, Samfya Beach, Kapisha Hot Springs and Niamukolo Church building the oldest in Zambia.

Zambia Finds Uranium

Zambezi Resources Limited (ZRL) has confirmed the occurrence of high-grade uranium deposit at its Oryx in Chongwe area. ZRL managing director Julian Ford announced that independent consultant have established the presence of davidite, a uranium-bearing mineral at Oryx, 65 kilometres east of Lusaka.

The uranium content is between 5 and 10% similar to the occurrence at Radium Hill uranium mine in Australia which was mined between 1954 and 1962. Besides the Oryx prospect ZRL has identified a number of smaller uranium-sourced radiometric anomalies. ZRL own rights to a prospect area covering 17,300 sq kilometres in Zambia

On sale is Farai Gardens lodge…

Now CNN Supports Zambia Safari

Commercial adverts about Zambia’s tourism have started appearing on the Cable News Network (CNN) television channel. The first Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) commercial was shown on Friday March 18, 2006 under the CNN Sights and Sounds of Zambia.

The adverts will be on CNN for the next 8 weeks and will involve 276 spots of 35 seconds each. That’s an average of 4 spots per day on weekends and 7 spots per day during the week. These spots will be appearing on prime time in the early morning, office hours and evenings.

According to ZNTB the tourism promotion campaign would also be featured on cnn.com website in the form of a banner advert as part of the awareness promotion for Zambia as a prime tourism destination.

On sale is Farai Gardens lodge...

Zambian Captains the African Legends

Zambian national soccer team technical director Kalusha Bwalya on Saturday January 7 2006 was captain of the African Legends team that played against the European Legends. This was a soccer game of former football greats from Africa and Europe who enjoyed a social game of football to raise funds.

Kalusha Bwalya is Zambia’s football icon and runs Kalusha Bwalya foundation for grass root soccer to train the youth in football skills and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Bwalya was among former Newcastle United coach and Dutch soccer great Ruud Gullit, Hristo Stoitchkov (Bulgaria), Frenchman Christian Karembeu and Welshman Ian Rush in the African Legends versus European Legends match at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium.

Tournament director Emy Casaletti said the purpose of the match was to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Nelson Mandela is the world’s most popular former prisoner and the first black president of South Africa. To day he runs the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

These football giants participated in the Legends match at Ellis Park in South Africa not to receive match fees but to pay respect to Nelson Mandela and to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

A good example is Mr. Gullit. In 1987 he dedicated his world player of the year award to the then imprisoned Nelson Mandela. Before traveling to South Africa Gullit had this to say, “I have great respect for Nelson Mandela and I can’t wait to be in South Africa. I’m also impressed with the high standard of African football,”

“We are going to dish out entertaining football and we will score many goals. But it will not be an easy march because we will be up against quality African players,”

However, Gullit told a South African tabloid that his side would score enough goals to upset the Jomo Sono coached African Legends team.

And true to his word the European Legends beat African Legends 3 to 1.

Now France Cancels Zambia’s Debt

The French government has written off US $ 73 million ie 100 per cent debt stock to Zambia. French ambassador to Zambia Francis Saudubray has announced.

Similarly the debt between Zambia and the Pars Club (Cologne) between 2002 and 2005 has also been cancelled. Zambia is getting all these benefits because of achieving the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point. The HIPC initiative has translated into US $ 193million debt write off from France.

Meanwhile the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is to write off Zambia’s debt amounting to US $ 577 million. Zambia’s debt is expected to fall down to US $ 502 million up from US $ 7.1 billion that the country owed the international community. This is what is expected once the HIPC and multilateral debt relief initiatives have been fully implemented. With the unsustainable debt off Zambia is expected to achieve a GDP above 6 percent in 2006.

One of the major spin offs is the appreciation of the local currency, Kwacha, which saw a more than 40 percent gain against the US dollar last year. The appreciation, now gripping, has continued such that the Kwacha is now a convertible currency.

So it makes sense to invest here, especially in Zambia safari industry which is still in its infancy.

Chinese Investments Grows in Zambia

Association of Chinese Corporation in Zambia (ACCZ) president Tao Xinghu has said that there has been an increase in Chinese investments in Zambia. There are 160 Chinese companies with investment totaling US $ 316 million and employing over ten thousand people.

In 2005 ACCZ invested in 12 projects amounting to US $ 4.1 million and created 1,230 jobs. Chinese rank third biggest investors on list of the Zambia Investment Centre (ZIC). Chinese Charge D’affaires Zhao Zhanbin expects more Chinese investment in Zambia because of the prevailing conducive environment. But Zambia could not avoid that. After all China’s investment and exports are ubiquitous in the world to day.

Tao Xinghu explained that ACCZ promotes bilateral and trade relations including investment between Zambia and China. He said this at the association secretariat in Lusaka Zambia’s capital city. If the Chinese can see the investment opportunities in Zambia’s tourism and safaris then you should seize the opportunity too. And Zambian tourism is huge and can absorb much more investment.

IFM Cancels Zambia’s Debt

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) executive board recently approved 100 percent debt relief for Zambia under the Debt Relief Initiative (DRI) on all amounts obtained before January 2005. IMF Resident Representative in Zambia Joseph Kakoza announced.

This debt relief will be available to Zambia in 2006. Zambia qualified to the IMF debt relief because of the overall satisfactory macro-economic performance and the progress she has made in poverty reduction.

“Zambia has enjoyed sustained robust growth, a striking turn-round in economic performance … especially in public finances.” Following the reaching of the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) completion point in March last year (2005) Zambia’s debt stock of US$7.1 billion to multilateral institutions will now dropped to US $ 502 million.

So the annual debt servicing that amounts to US $ 540 million may now be ploughed into the country’s economy. With the new focus on tourism and safaris some of this cash will find its way into development of Zambia-safaris.

Timber: Zambia’s Gold Mine

Zambia’s forest resources are large. Of the 46.3 million hectares 32 million hectares are woodlands. A small population of eleven million people in a country larger than Texas the wood resources are considered immense and therefore a “gold mine.” There is African hard wood such as teak, rosewood, “mukwa.”

The Timber Producers Association of Zambia (TPAZ) general secretary Charles Masange says inadequate capital and lack of kilning equipment has made it difficult for the timber (lumber) industry to export quality and large quantity of timber to the major importer, South Africa and to the European market.

The association has failed to meet annual requirement of 4,560 cubic metres per month to South Africa and 3,360 cubic metres to the European market.

In South African the cost of unkilned timber is between US $600-650 while US $1,200-1,500 kilned for a cubic metre while the European market which insist on kilned timber fetch between US $1,500 and US $2,500.

However, there has been a slight improvement in the timber (lumber) industry. The assistance from the European Union - Export Development Programme of Euro 123,000 and the local K4 billion Forestry Development Credit facility allocated in last year’s budget have contributed to that.

Zambia continues to host plentiful pristine forestry reserves. With conservation strategy already in place the wood industry will be protected for forever.

Zambia Open Gets $100,000 Boost

The Zambia Open Golf tournament committee has received US$100,000 to organise the event lined up for Nchanga Golf Club in March 2006. Nchnaga is located in Chingola home to the largest copper open pit in Africa. The tournament will be held between March 16 and 19, 2006

Stanbic Bank Zambia is the main sponsor and has contributed US$80,000. They will sponsor title and the first Pro-Am event. Celtel Zambia the largest mobile network company in Zambia will sponsor the other Pro-Am event with US$20,000. Zambia Open Golf organising committee spokesperson Ackim Mwale has confirmed. A total of US$ 350,000 is required for the championship.

Mwale said the 2006 Stanbic Bank Zambia Open would attract 144 professional golfers from the Sunshine Tour and the European Challenge Tour. Zambia and other African countries will only field 15 professionals and five local amateurs.

Meanwhile Omnia Fertilisers have taken on the green fertilisation programme to improve the greens. It’s green in Zambia at this time of the season but the fertilizers will make it deeper green. Naturally after the game all will be off to celebrate or re-think next year’s strategy. And who wouldn’t go to see the Victory Falls, the world’s seventh wonder?

Investors Jostling to Enter Zambia

The Zambia Investment Centre (ZIC) has recorded a 190 per cent increase in investment pledges for the period January to October 2005 ZIC public relations manager Sharon Sichilongo has announced. These investments are envisaged to create 7,682 jobs countrywide and will contribute directly to poverty alleviation.

Over this period, the centre has recorded investment pledges worth US $208,436,985 against US $107,339,637 recorded in the same period the previous year.

"In terms of the number of projects, ZIC has issued investment certificates to a total of 110 projects between January and October last year. She added that ZIC was further impressed that last year's projects were of better quality than the previous year's, with most of them in manufacturing.

The manufacturing sector recorded the highest investment pledges at US $74,566,848, with mining in second place at US $62,483,548 and agriculture at US $23,870,928. Hot on the hills was tourism. The tourism sector recorded US $20,987,990 while the service sector recorded US $15,502,162.

Now It’s Fuel from Ethanol

The Zambian government has commissioned a study to assess the possibility of producing fuel from Ethanol at Ilovo’s Zambia Sugar Plc at Nakambala Sugar cane plantation in Mazabuka.

Zambian Energy and Water Development minister Felix Mutati said, ''We are following the matter vigorously and are going to support the private sector because that is the only way forward.''

Zambia Sugar Plc managing director, Paul De Lobillard was enthusiastic about it. He said the company had the capacity to produce Ethanol as an alternative to fuel.

Mr Lobillard said if the Ministry of Energy and Water Development approved this project, the company was ready to produce Ethanol. Zambia’s economy is on the bullish trend and more energy will be required than was projected.

The company is also considering forming partnership with Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) in electricity. Now that’s more power for all. Even more power for new tourism and safari enterprises mushrooming up everywhere.

Looking for “Black Gold” in Zambia

From Croatia came the officials. They were here to discuss oil exploration with Zambian government and the possibility to set up a refinery in Zambia. The delegation was from the Industrija Nafte d.d (INA)

Energy and Water Development Minister Felix Mutati said Zambia was currently looking for stable fuel supply to partner with Government. On the drawing board is also the idea to set up a second refinery to supplement the Italian built Indeni Petroleum Refinery in Ndola on the Zambian Copperbelt. Mutati was happy that INA who had competences in oil exploring came to see Zambian officials.

But other investments potential exists in the energy sector. Mutati pointed out the development of the US$600 million Kafue Lower Power Station (KLPS) and the $150 million Itezhi-tezhi power station (IPS).

According to INA chairperson Tomislav Dragicevic his organisation was operating in 20 countries worldwide four of which were in Africa. His company was also seeking the possibility of joint ventures. And INA Africa regional manager Zdenko Dvorscak said his company which is a vertically integrated owns oil and gas companies from all over the world.

Barclays to Promote Zambian Culture in UK

Barclays Bank Zambia (BBZ) plans to market Zambian art and culture in the United Kingdom (UK) at the close of the Miles Ahead Project to be held in England. The Barclays Miles Ahead project was a fundraiser to support community projects and grass root soccer while promoting HIV/AIDS awareness among youth.

Coordinator Mwaba Mwaba said “We are looking at the opportunity to market Zambia’s art and cultural potential at the forthcoming competition in UK. This is an opportunity for the country to showcase itself as a centre for excellence in culture and art,” she said.

And Barclays board member Silane Mwenechanya said Miles Ahead was not about Barclays but about helping the communities.

The funds raised from the sale of raffle tickets would be used to establish and refurbish eight community resource centres to be located countrywide in Zambia. This would be done in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other members of the United Nations family including the Zambian ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development.

Youth soccer development is also on the bill. It will involve the Kalusha Bwalya foundation for the grass root soccer in order to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among youths. Kalusha Bwalya is Zambia’s football icon and national chief coach of Zambia national team.

Now it’s the Export Processing Zones

The Zambia Export Processing Zone Authority (ZEPZA) and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) have bunched up. They are working on streamlining their regulations before the Export Processing Zone licences could be implementing.

ZEPZA marketing and public relations manager Margaret Chimanse said ZRA and EPZ Acts are being repealled in order to harmonise them and remove duplication and conflict.

So the suspended EPZ licences are expected to be lifted at the beginning of 2006. According to Ms Chimanse EPZ licences have generated a lot of interest among investors.

Both local and foreign companies have already applied for the EPZ. Why this great interest? The Zambian economy is currently on the mend and very attractive too. Brokers are now referring it to a bullish trend. So investing in Zambia safari makes good business sense.

A New Protea Hotel on Cairo Rd

Union Hotels Limited (UHL), a subsidiary of Platinum Gold Limited, has bought Mutaba House on Cairo Road. Arcades developments Plc managing director Adam Leithbridge said the building would be turned into a three-star Protea Hotel Cairo Road. Named after the Egyptian capital city Cairo Road is Lusaka’s main thoroughfare.

"We are sticking to the three-star standard because our goal is to provide affordable luxury," Leithbridge said. "We are working out the cost but we anticipate that within 18 months, the hotel should open for business."

With this development, Zambia will now have five Protea hotels, others being Protea Chisamba, Protea Chingola and the two hotels being constructed one each at Arcades Centre in Lusaka and at Falls Park in Livingstone.

In the city of Kitwe on the Zambian Copperbelt Union Hotels has plans for another project to develop a part of the city's Freedom Park. Construction will start once Kitwe City Council (KCC) grants Union Hotels a permit to.

“The best part of our investments is that we are a local investor using local resources, which means that the multiplier effects of our projects in the economy are good," Leithbridge said.

Up go the number of beds for international and local visitors who want to see Zambia’s endowment in natural safaris and the unique flora and fauna (hey! meaning plants and animals) some of which are only found here.

Gizmos Invests US $20m in Zambia

Gizmos, a US information technology company, has launched its business units in Zambia, with a pledge to invest US $20 million in the next five years. In collaboration with Zambian business partners Gizmos will provide quality information technology solutions to Africa in line with NEPAD initiatives.

With operations in many US states Gizmos has made partnerships with Zambian businesses.

The chief executive officer for Gizmos USA Erik Sachs said he was confident with the investment in Zambia . The Zambian unit, Gizmos Limited, plans to invest US $20 million over five years and create an estimated 150 professional and over 1,000 manufacturing and service-related jobs in the country by 2010.

Launching the Zambian entity frecently, Gizmos Limited managing director in Zambia Greg Marchand said the era of businesses exploring Africa should be over and that companies must now invest in Africa rather than take investments out.

“American business is facing a new reality,” he said. “Africa is the next technology and communication frontier. We are working with forward-thinking companies who see the benefit of economic development and the assistance in bridging the technology and knowledge gaps. This is a winning strategy for American business, and for the Zambian economy.”

Zambia Projects 6% GDP Growth

The Zambian government has releases the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which projects an average six percent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) between 2006 and 2008.

Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambian secretary to the treasury, has said mining and construction have continued to dominate the growth process, especially with the opening of major new copper mines in the Northwestern Province. Hard on the hills are manufacturing, tourism, transport, storage and communications.

Musokotwane said the government would focus on labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. And Zambian tourism is an all round employer that fits the bill of poverty alleviation because Safaris and tours attract tourist who spend money on food (agriculture), on beds (lodges and hotels), tours (wildlife and landscape), car hire (transport), curios and artifacts (artists), etc, etc.

Zambia recorded a 4.6 percent GDP growth rate in 2004, thanks mainly to increased copper production, its single biggest forex earner. The 2005 growth is expected to be 5%. Now the government projects an even stronger growth for 2006.

The Zambia-Europe Cargo Flights Start

Two Cargo Airlines have team up to service the Lusaka-Europe route. DAS Air Cargo (DAC) and Southern Aviation Limited (SAL) of Lusaka have formed a partnership to provide weekly cargo flights between Zambia and Europe.

Zambian horticultural producers are mighty happy. They have sighed a relief. Not so long ago they had to channeled their exports through South Africa when British Airways cancelled its cargo service to Lusaka. It will now be cheaper to get their beautiful and high value flowers and vegetables to Europe.

DAC established in 1983 by Captain Joe Roy operates from Amsterdam, London Gatwick, Dubai, Entebbe (Uganda) and Lagos (Nigeria) linking Africa with Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Besides scheduled services DAC operates ad hoc charter services and tailor-made cargo solutions.

DAC first started servicing the Lusaka route in 1985 when it acquired a DC10-30F. Today the company has six DC 10s. The company also services China.

SAL director Mark Mfula lead the negations for his company.

So lifting cargo to and from Lusaka is no big deal just like visiting Zambia is no big deal too! And the safaris are great… the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, the beautiful wildlife and the birds too!

LuSE Gets 2 International Recognitions

In 2005 the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) received two international recognitions. That’s why LuSE general manager Joseph Chikolwa is pleased about his stock exchange’s performance in the financial markets.

Early In 2005, world rating agency Standard and Poors (S&P) voted LuSE the third best performing stock exchange in Africa. The exchange was also voted best performing bourse in Central and Eastern Africa.

And a fortnight ago, Zimbabwe’s Financial Gazette voted the exchange the best performing in Southern Africa, outperforming older bourses like the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Chikolwa said that although LuSE had only one listing in the year, the bourse scored a first by introducing a corporate governance code for listed companies in the region. In addition LuSE achieved a 70 per cent return rate in US dollar terms.

Where else in the world would you find a stock exchange so young (debuted in 1994) but such a great performer? What’s more the Zambian government bonds are a great hit too, both among corporate and individual investors. So don’t be left out if you can help it.

And don’t forget! Zambia safari will always be there waiting for you to sample it. It’s now great in Zambia!

LuSE and JSE Link UP Operations

Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) general manager Joseph Chikolwa announced that LuSE and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) will complete the link up in operations by next June. The LuSE-JSE link up would be implemented in phases.

Chikolwa said, “The first phase was successfully completed in the first half of 2004. Currently we are at Phase II, that requires funding for infrastructure, professional services and the actual set up,”

This project falls under the Committee of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) stock exchanges. LuSE is eagerly looking forward to the link up in the first half of 2006.

But why the link up of operations? JSE is the largest stock exchange in southern Africa and LuSE is Africa’s best performing stock exchange. The synergy in operation will just blow you away…

Meanwhile five companies that operate with LuSE have already paid out dividend in the third quarter. These are Chilanga Cement, Shoprite Holdings, BP Zambia, British American Tobacco and Pamodzi Hotel. And the the index had a leap from 1,026.09 to 1,285.51 because of the continued rise in share prices in almost all companies on LuSE.

For example, in June Chilanga Cement Plc was K1,650 and closed at K1,800 in September, BP Zambia Plc moved from K200 to K310.00, Farmers House Plc moved from K1,100 to K1,500. This trend was noted in almost all the stocks.”

So if you want to do some investments why not try LuSE? And Zambia safari will be waiting for you to enjoy it. I wager you won’t be disappointed.

And don't forget to check Zambia Safari Blog

Now the French Support Zambia Safari

Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Embassy to bring to Zambia 12 French tour operators and journalists. The French ambassador to Zambia Francis Saudubray said the French government would facilitate the travel of six tour operators and six journalists for a cultural, eco-system and wildlife programme.

Under the terms of the MoU, the French side would pay for the cost of travel from France to Zambia of the tour operators and journalists while the Zambian side would cover all ground costs such as internal flights, vehicles, accommodation, park entries and all other activities of the tour operators and journalists.

Ambassador Saudubray said the tour operators and journalists would also visit the northern parts of the country to sample the often-ignored vast tourism potential in the part of the country. Ambassador Saudubray also revealed that the Accor Group of Hotels from France are coming to Zambia on a feasibility assessment to look into prospects of investing in Lusaka and Kitwe.

He said Zambia was an authentic tourist destination, which can attract more Europeans.

Zambian Bond Market and Offshore Investors

African Banking Corporation (ABC) Holdings Limited chief executive officer Douglas Munatsi has commended the recent influx of offshore investors into the Zambian bond market. Munatsi attributed this to Zambia's economic and political stability over the years. This, he said, had set the country on the road to become a significant economic player in southern Africa.

Munatsi was excited: "Zambia is the most exciting economy in the region now and that is why investors like hedge funds are flocking into this country's bond market. The kwacha has defied gravity and rallied well against the major currencies and this strengthens a stronger outlook for the economy in the short term."

And ABC Zambia managing director Zandile Shaba implored the government to manage the appreciation of the local currency Kwacha to avoid the negative effect to exporters. She said that there was need to ensure that the Kwacha did not fluctuate like in the past.

The bullish Zambia is an exciting investment destination. What is more the Zambian safari sector is not yet fully developed and the government has its arms wide open. And remember that there is no exchange controls here. So jump on the bandwagon and come to see for yourself.

Untapped Potential of E-governance and Zambia Safari

Zambia is in Africa but when you enter a government office don’t be surprised if you find a desk top computer comfortably humming on top of a table. A note book computer shouldn’t shock you either. The information communication and technology (ICT) has arrived even here in Zambia in Africa!

To what benefit? You can now conduct business easily and fast… Why? E-governance, the digitalisation of government service delivery mechanisms is here. It’s about simplicity of service delivery, morality and integrity in the public sector.

The accountability, the responsiveness and transparency in the discharge of public goods and services have should improve. E-governance will assist in de-bureaucratisation (the bureaucratic pain will be no more) and simplification of government processes and procedures. Visas or investment licences will be like a breeze to obtain.

And a national ICT policy is in the offing… Zambia’s National Development Plan (NDP for 2006 - 2011) is being developed through e-governance. The schools have jumped on to the bandwagon too. There are 700 teacher resource centres countrywide. However, Richard Mwanza of the government’s Communications Authority (CA) acknowledges that the full ICT application is yet to make a mark in Zambia.

But Lusaka City Council (LCC) has made a start. The municipality has embarked on e-governance with the support of United Nations Education Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) to pursuit an efficient and transparent governance in Zambia.

What’s more? You can find out ahead and easily too about the safari trip you have always wanted to take. Just click here to see the Zambia safari highlights and adventures.

Coffee Production is Growing in Zambia

Production of Zambian coffee has grown by over 30 percent. Mubuyu Farms (MF) of Mazabuka is a good example. MF has this year harvested 8.2 million kilogrammes of cherry coffee from the 2004-2005 season, up from 5.4 million-kilogrammes harvested in the 2003-2004 season. A whopping 52 percent!

Senior coffee production manager Joe Likomwa attributed the increase to good management and the fact that the trees had now been growing for more than four years. After the dry processing of cherry in 2003/04 season, the farm managed to harvest 858,000 kilogrammes of the green beans. This year the farm was projected to harvest close to 1.4 to 1.5 million kilogrammes of green beans by the time the drying process is completed in mid December.

Mr Likomwa said during the harvest period, the farm recruited 2,600 casual employees compared to 1,700 people who were given casual employment during the 2003-04 seasons.

And Likomwa said out of all the harvested coffee beans last year, everything was exported except for 12,000 kg which was allocated to local consumption and to promote coffee drinking in Zambia.

‘‘The response from local consumption has so far been good and we will continue to make our munali coffee for local and export consumption,’’ said Mr Likomwa. Currently the market for Mubuyu farm is South African but the farm is looking for other prospects too.

Mubuyu farms is a privately owned coffee farm in Mazabuka, 70 kilometres south of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city. William Lublinkhof employs about 1,000 permanent employees on 500 hectares of irrigated land. He is alleviating poverty of the people of Zambia a country largely unspoiled by farming or development.

Demand for Zambian Coffee Rises

The Japanese market now wants more Zambian coffee. And for that the Coffee Growers Association of Zambia (CGAZ) is thrilled. Zambian coffee is considered as one of the best in African and perhaps among the best in the world at large.

The Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) director of research Akikazu Hamada confirmed this demand. He revealed this while attending a seminar at the Export Board of Zambia (EBZ) offices in Lusaka, Zambia. And the discussion was on the “food and other export opportunities to Japan.”

Mr Hamada, a Johannesburg based diplomat said the demand for Zambian coffee in Japan was increasing. So his organization was in Zambia to assist Zambian coffee exporters to increase their share on the Japanese market. But for what expectations? Up will go the export volumes for Zambia!

Meanwhile Japan will hold a Food exhibition (FOODEX) in February 2006. And Zambian exporters are fortunate. JETRO plans to sponsor the Zambian association of coffee exporters. And luckily Zambia’s agriculture is on the up swing. JETRO was also interested in other products such as paprika. Besides coffee Zambian honey, ornamental fish, sugar and crocodile skins could be exported to Japan.

During the Expo 2005 in Japan products from Zambia attracted a lot of interest. Visitors to the exposition also wanted information on other Zambian goods and services especially about the Victoria Falls the world’s largest curtain of falling water. Besides the abundant wildlife in pristine wilderness the waterfall is Zambia’s safari flag ship.

Marketing Institute Markets Zambia

Zambia Institute of Marketing (ZIM) president Mable Mung’omba has jumped onto the bandwagon to support Zambian safaris. ZIM plans to assist Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) to market Zambia abroad. Mung’omba said her institute would assist the Government to market the country more especially in enterprises in tourism and safaris.

Mung’omba was speaking during the ZIM annual awards gala night which is held at the end of every year.

How does her institute plan to do this? ZIM would introduce programmes that Zambian business people would participate in order take advantage of the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) initiative of the United States of America and the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) a new development programme for Africa.

Why the interest in the Zambian tourism sector? The government has targeted the tourism sector to contribute 10 per cent growth to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2010.

“We have agreed that we will be seeking to become a role model to the nation, since we are marketers we need to become relevant to everything that Government is doing,” Ms Mung’omba said.

And Tourism is the third most important sector in the country’s economy after mining and agriculture.

Zambian Financial Markets Go International

Two years ago the Zambian financial markets joined the Paris based Financial Markets Association, whose French acronym is ACI. This association comprises the largest number of international associations in financial markets. Members are drawn from over 80 countries. Currently there are 65 affiliated national associations. Zambia is the second affiliated country in Southern Africa after South Africa.

ACI remains the leading global association of wholesale financial market professionals. Their target is to develop the markets through education, market practices, technical advice and networking.

Financial Markets Association of Zambia (FMAZ) president Miles Sampa says ACI-Zambian was formed two years ago to serve the foreign exchange business. But Zambia is a start up market having only come into being after the 1992 liberalisation of the foreign exchange. And probably the second country with no exchange controls in the whole of Africa.

The Zambian financial market has since evolved in line with the macroeconomic and global trends. So the issue of best practices is of paramount importance.

Mr Sampa said in last two years ACI-Zambia has acted as an advisor to the Central bank and the Bankers Association of Zambia . As a result Zambia’s foreign exchange dealers are required to have an ACI-Financial Market Association dealing certificate. Integrity and fare business practices are therefore in place.

So it stands to reason to consider investing in Zambia especially in Zambian tourism. The opportunities are myriad.

Now Its Cutting and Polishing of Gemstone

Bobbili Gems, (BG) a subsidiary of Silicon Zambia Limited is a new comer in gemstone industry in Zambia. Other than sale uncut stones like they have done in the past BG have joined the lucrative business of cutting and polishing gemstone. This has made the market value of their products literally “jump through the roof.”

Traditionally GM has been processing jewellery. They do their jewellery business from the superb five-star luxury premises of the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka. So when next in Lusaka Zambia’s capital city check them out at the Taj Pamodzi.

CEO of Silicon Zambia Vasu Reddy said his company started operations in Zambia in 2000. Reddy is happy that the company has now started to add value to their products. GM is now cutting and polishing precious stones.

“Zambia produces a lot of world class gemstones but countries that hardly produce any gemstone are market leaders in the export of finished products” bemoaned Reddy.

Bobbili Gems’ gets all its raw materials from Zambia. So apart from its great safari assets Zambia is just about the largest producer of raw emerald gemstones besides from Brazil.

Now It’s an Airline for Zambia Safari

Wow, now it’s the big one. A task force was recently appointed for the purpose of establishing a Zambian national airline. National Airline Taskforce (NAT) chairman George Lewis disclosed that the recently registered Air Zambia (AZ) will be the national’s flag carrier. The airline is aimed at boosting Zambian tourism.

AZ was incorporated on October 11, 2005. Various interest groups are involved. These are from the aviation industry, travel and tours, hotels and catering, the hospitality and tourism industry including the general public. Already an application for an operating licence has been logged with the Ministry of Communications and Transport (MCT).

AZ would be private sector driven with government support. “The government has been asked to transfer to Air Zambia any residual Zambia Airways (ZA) assets such as the maintenance base at the Lusaka International Airport in return for a golden share,” Lewis said. ZA a forerunner airline to AZ was liquidated in November 1994 after serious financial problems.

Lewis added that Air Zambia would also provide extra freight capacity for horticultural exports which the British Airways stopped to airfreight. Currently Zambia Export Growers’ Association (ZEGA) have to haul 40 tonnes of produce to South Africa by road for onward air transfer to Europe.

It’s now a matter of time. The incentive to build an airline exists. And if safaris are your interest the airline will ease travels to and from Zambia. …And the Victoria Falls will not lack for easier access. Not at all!

Another SA Airline to Service Zambia

A low-budget South African airline, Kulula.com Airways will soon start flights into Lusaka International airport. Kulula.com is a popular South African domestic airline that allows passengers to book directly online at Kulula.com web site. Currently Kulula.com is in discussion with the ministry of Transport and Communication in Zambia.

The bright green Kulula.com aircrafts have already started the Johannesburg-Harare and the Windhoek routes. The strategy of airline is a low cut-price flying that offer neither meals nor free liquor on the two-hour flight to Cape Town. So the airline is able to charge 60 per cent cheaper than their competition. And the number of passengers is on the increase. Once Kulula.com starts the Lusaka-Johannesburg route South African Airways (SAA) will have a good run for their money.

Gidon Novick (34) from Senderwood, Johannesburg is Kulula.com executive director. Novick who holds a MBA from Kellogg University in the United States (US) has started a price war. SAA chief executive officer (CEO) Khaya Nqgula said his airline was considering launching a low-cost carrier to compete with Kulula.com. The shareholders Transnet and the South African government probably have no choice but to give consent.

And who is to benefit from this price war. But you the safari traveler anxious to sample the unique southern African safaris and Zambia safari in particular.

Zambia to Receive 1 million Tourists

The “Visit Zambia 2005-2010” is expected to lure over one million tourists to visit Zambia by 2010. Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Kabinga Pande said the Zambian government had embarked on a tourism promotion initiative to create awareness of Zambia’s proximity to South Africa which would host the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

While in London attending the World Travel Market (WTM) exhibition at ExCel, Mr Pande said Zambia would encourage participating teams to camp in Zambia and to use the three new stadia Zambia is construction before the World Cup finals.

The WTM exhibition attracted more than 5,500 exhibiting companies and 46,000 tourism industry professionals from more than 190 countries. The exhibition is the most effective international travel and tourism industry business forum.

As president of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) Mr Pande received the prestigious annual World Tourism Award for 2005. The award recognised the friendship and collaboration ATA used to bridge the Asia-Africa tourism.

Zambian companies that attended the WTM for the first time include Alendo Travel Tours & Car Hire and Norman Carr Safaris.

And locally the Zambian government special Tourism Loan to help Zambian join the Zambian tourism industry was preferentially pro women. Already 51 per cent of the financing went to Zambian women.

MTN Expands its GSM African Footprint

Mobile Telephone Networks Zambia (MTN) will be the market leader in mobile telecommunication in Zambia. MTN group executive sales and marketing Freddie Mokoena made this predication after the recent take over of Telecel Zambia a local mobile phone provider.

MTN is a growing multi-national company seeking to expand its African Footprint. By June 2005 the company was already operating GSM networks in eight African countries that collectively serviced the needs of more than 17 million subscribers.

And MTN Zambia has developed a low cost product to reduce the cost of making calls. The product, Mokoena said, was a response to the complaints about prohibitive tariffs in the market. December 1, 2005 is the D-day and its calls on any platform will cost 29 cents all round, instead of the average 40 cents obtaining today.

“Except South Africa, MTN is the market leader in all the markets we operate in. We take pride in being the leader in the telecommunications markets we operate in and Zambia should not be an exception. All we have to do is give the Zambian consumer the kind of product they need and we are solidly on the way to the top,” Mokoena said.

'I am confident and adamant about this because in the other markets, we have learned that being humble, simple, consultative, a listener and offering relevant products is the best way of attaining leadership. Already, we are Africa’s biggest mobile operator by revenues.'

MTN Zambia has a budget of US $70 million over the next two years. And who is to benefit? But Zambia safari as you the international visitor will be able to communicate easily and cheaply too. You’ll be able to do this while you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Victoria Falls.

EU Supports Livingstone Airport Extension

Livingstone International Airport runway is undergoing extension and up grading to take on larger aircraft. European Union (EU) has put up 9.6 million Euros to support the phase two rehabilitation project. EU head of delegation Henry Sprietsma said three quarters of the funds would be used on construction of a 700-metre extension and the rest would be for supervision.

Raubex Construction Company Limited (RCCL) a Zambian company has been contracted to carry out the construction that should take 14 months to complete.

RCCL director Joseph Mwewa said that his company would carry out the Livingstone rehabilitation works. The works involve rehabilitation of airfield and ground lighting and the extension of current runway by 700 metres.

Other works were the extension of existing apron to allow more planes to park, the construction of a new asphalt surface taxiway, construction of a new asphalt surface airside and landside circulation road and car park.

RCCL were also contracted to carry out the rehabilitation of existing buildings and creation of new fire escapes. They would also provide bulk water and sewerage infrastructure.

On completion the runway would accommodate long-haul aircrafts, which would induce more flights to Livingstone and more passengers, oh and tourists yoo!.

Sprietsma said, "The extension of the runway will bring more business opportunities for airline companies, transport-related service providers, for the hotel and tourism sector and other economic sectors."

National Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director Chileshe Kapwepwe said the rehabilitation works would lengthen Livingstone airport’s runway from 2.3 kilometres to 3.0 kilometres in order to accept direct tourists flights from Europe and other parts of the world. Larger aircraft will be able to land easily and the Victoria Falls will be a short single ‘plane hope’. No more connection flights for Zambia safari!

New Stadiums for 2010 FIFA World Cup

Plans are afloat to build three brand new stadiums in Zambia. These must be built to support the first ever African hosted FIFA World Cup. Zambia’s plans are to beat the deadline set by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Zambia will entice some of the qualifiers to the 2010 World Cup to acclimatise and enjoy the country’s safaris before the start of the tournament.

Zambia Sports deputy minister Richard Kazala was sure the three modern stadiums would be completed by 2009. The Zambian government will invite private sector participation with foreign investors like JICA on the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) concept. All options are open. Zambia plans to involve government-to-government partnerships too. The construction of the three stadiums is poised to start early next year (2006).

China and Korea could fit the bill of building ultra modern stadiums on a government-to-government partnership. The three stadiums are to be built one each in Livingstone, the tourist capital and home of the Victoria Falls, Lusaka the country’s capital and the Copperbelt the hub of the copper industry in Zambia.

It is expected that some of the 32 teams coming for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa would make a stop-over in Zambia to acclimatise and enjoy the great sights at the Victoria Falls. Maybe watching wildlife or taking on a safari might just do the trick… improve their performance at the world’s most popular sport, football

Tourist Arrivals Go Up Up!

Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) is an organ of the government of Zambia charged with marketing tourism. It’s public relations officer, Mbo Kamanga, has confirmed the increase in tourist arrivals in Zambia. Preliminary figures indicate a 41 per cent increase during the first quarter of 2005. The “Visit Zambia 2005” marketing campaign is bearing fruit for Zambia safari.

ZNTB’s main responsibility is to market Zambia’s safaris and tourism, to register tourism enterprises, enforce standards in the industry and ensure compliance of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).

But where are the tourists coming from? South Africa accounted for the highest at 31 per cent, followed by Zimbabwe, Britain, United States, Germany and Australia. But local tourists are hot in pursuit too. There is a general reawakening in local interest in safari destinations in Zambia.

106.4 per cent entered Zambia through Chirundu on the border with Zimbabwe. The border post at Kariba Dam (with Zimbabwe) recorded 26.4 per cent, Livingstone Airport (international visitors) 11.1 per cent, Katima Mulilo 10.3 per cent and Mfuwe Airport recorded a 7.3 per cent increase compared to the first quarter of 2004.

51,097 tourists visited Zambia in the first quarter of this year compared to 36,386 in the first quarter of 2004.