Musokotwane : Zambia Well Prepared for El-Nino

By Ellen Hambuba Finance Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE says Zambia is better prepared for the threat of El Niño, following a bumper maize harvest and an increase in solar power generation. Dr. MUSOKOTWANE says the country now has record strategic maize stocks and additional solar capacity to help cushion the impact of possible drought on food production and electricity supply. Dr. MUSOKOTWANE says this puts the country in a stronger position than in 2024, when severe drought devastated maize production and triggered prolonged electricity shortages. He was speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand. Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said the country now has record maize stocks following a bumper harvest this year. He says increased solar power capacity will also help reduce dependence on hydropower during periods of poor rainfall. Dr MUSOKOTWANE however notes that the threat of El Niño and the continued impact of the Iran war on fuel prices are expected to weigh on economic growth. #Musokotwane #maize #Elnino #electricity #harvert #ZNBC