M4CE rejects unaccountable nationalisation, unchecked foreign control of mines

He declared that the second liberation, which he described as liberation from poverty, dependency and economic exclusion, was the defining task of the current generation.

“While the intention of reclaiming national assets was understandable, the outcomes demonstrated that state ownership without professional management, accountability, transparency, and genuine productivity often led to inefficiency, underinvestment, and eventual decline,” Simuyemba stated.

On indigenous ownership, Simuyemba called for genuine Zambian ownership, arguing that the current model was superficial and captured by elites under the UPND regime.

“We demand authentic Zambian and indigenous ownership of the economy, not the superficial or elite-captured version currently witnessed under the UPND regime. True ownership means Zambians holding controlling or significant equity in mines, farms, factories, banks, and technology enterprises, with real decision-making power,” he stated.

Simuyemba said a nation without genuine indigenous owners of its productive assets remained economically colonised.

He said the party supported progressive and enforceable local content laws that would reserve increasing shares of mining procurement for citizen-owned and citizen-empowered companies, with exclusive reservation of non-core services for Zambians, alongside mandatory supplier development and skills transfer.

Simuyemba also called for deliberate efforts to build Zambian capital through alternative and participatory project financing models grounded in principles of stewardship, integrity, fairness and mutual benefit.

“We call for the deliberate building of Zambian capital through alternative and participatory project finance models grounded in Godly principles and patterns of stewardship, integrity, fairness, and mutual benefit,” he stated.

Simuyemba said exporting raw or semi-processed copper while importing finished goods amounted to an economy of dependency, adding that reliable power, refining capacity and downstream manufacturing should become national priorities.

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