Zam Welcomes Grow Zambia Agenda’s Focus on Manufacturing

He says the 10,000 MW target and greater private sector participation in transmission and distribution are vital, emphasising that Zambia must move to exporting finished goods.

The production targets for maize, soya, wheat, sugar and beef are aimed at agro-processing, with every additional tonne produced, whether on the farm or in the mine, being an opportunity to process locally rather than export raw.

ZAM also welcomes the President’s commitments to reduce the cost of doing business, promote the export of finished products under the AfCFTA, COMESA and SADC, invest in industrial parks and economic zones, and strengthen linkages across sectors to deepen local value addition.

ZAM has further encouraged government to consult industry closely on the planned review of the monthly fuel pricing mechanism, as fuel prices feed directly into the cost of production and distribution.

Mr. Umar says the commitment to digitise border processes, move towards non-stop borders and develop the Lobito, Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi, TAZARA, Nacala and Durban corridors is critical for manufacturers in a land-linked country, especially in exporting Zambian products.

In addition, the pledge to establish a skills training centre in every district and a public university in every province, perfectly contributing to value addition, is cardinal, as ZAM members consistently cite the shortage of skilled technical workers, including welders, machinists, food technologists and quality controllers, as a barrier to expansion.