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Zambia News

  • Zambia insists on fish import restriction despite deficit

    ZAMBIA, 2017/09/05 The Zambian government said on Wednesday that it will not allow imports of fish that can be locally produced despite the prevailing fish deficit in the country. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Michael Katambo said the government will only allow for the importation of exotic fishes not found in any of the country's water bodies.
  • Zambian government hailed over move to increase tobacco taxes

    ZAMBIA, 2017/09/05 A consortium of public health and civil society organizations on Thursday hailed the Zambia government's decision to increase tobacco and alcohol taxes to promote healthy lifestyle in the Southern African country. Price increase is the majority effective way to control the consumptions of tobacco and alcohol, particularly part the vulnerable groups such as youth, pregnant women and low-gain smokers and drinkers, said Fastone Goma, chairman of the Zambia Tobacco Control Consortium. The organization is confident that lawmakers will approve the tax measure in the interest of both public health and social stability, he said, urging the lawmakers to resist attempts to frustrate the move.
  • Chinese-supported infrastructure projects change Zambia's landscape

    CHINA, 2017/09/05 The commissioning of works to construct a new international airport in Zambia's Ndola city in the Copperbelt Province recently goes to exemplify Chinese efforts to help Zambia's infrastructure development drive. The 397 million U.S. dollars project, being undertaken by Chinese contractor AVIC International and funded by the Export and Import Bank of China, is but one part other projects China has funded as Zambia rolls out its infrastructure projects.
  • Africa: USA-Africa - No Policy? Bad Policy? or Both?

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/30 "Africa is terra incognita for the Trump Government: a continent it cares little - and understands even less - about. With no dyed-in-the-wool Trumpian Africa hands available, the government appears ready to cede Africa policy making to career civil servants and a few mainstream Republican appointees." - Matthew T. Page The headline to Page's article in Quartz Africa states that "Donald Trump could be getting his US-Africa policy right by simply not having one." His view is actually additional nuanced, in judging that no policy would likely be only "less bad" than explicitly "bad policy" that may result from better White Home interest in Africa.
  • Africa: U.S. State Department To Get Experienced Diplomat in Key Africa Post

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/30 Donald Yamamoto, who has extensive diplomatic experience in Africa inclunding two tours as a U.S. ambassador, will take office as Acting Assistant Secretary of National for Africa on 5 September. He is the second career official tapped for a senior policy position on Africa in the Trump government.Donald Yamamoto, who has extensive diplomatic experience in Africa including two tours as a U.S. ambassador, will take office as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Africa on 5 September. He is the second career official tapped for a senior policy position on Africa in the Trump administration. Senior CIA analyst Cyril Sartor was hired as senior director for Africa at the National Security Council earier this month Key Africa jobs at the Defense Department (DOD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development remain vacant. "Having someone with Don Yamamoto's experience in that post is very significant," Mel Foote, Constituency for Africa president, told AllAfrica. "As Africa confronts a lot of challenges, we want to see responsible U.S. engagement in partnership with African governments and civil society organizations."
  • Africa’s economic growth in 2016 was driven by East Africa

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/20 While the continent’s major economies were hit by the fall in commodity prices in 2016, Africa retained its position as the second-fastest growing continent globally recording an average of 2.2% GDP increase, behind only South Asia, according to the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Much of Africa’s increase in 2016, AfDB says, was driven by East Africa where several nations recorded “strong performances.” In general, of the continent’s sub-regions, East Africa posted the highest increase rate with 5.3%, led by Ethiopia.
  • African real estate market still standing after tough 2016

    CASABLANCA, 2017/08/20 African real estate has had a tough year navigating diffcult economic conditions. Most investors on the continent remain private equity groups as opposed to long term investors or Real Estate Investment Trust ( Reit) investors. There have as well been currency problems in the likes of Nigeria and Zimbabwe. But 2017 could be better if commodity prices rise globally. "The continent gained traction last year, notably in the Hotel, Retail and Residential sectors. One hopes that, in 2017, there will be fewer economic and structural difficulties for African real estate," said Ortneil Kutama, Africa Property News Media Director.
  • Africa property offers rich pickings for the brave

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/20 Some property pundits believe there are major opportunities for investors or companies on the continent. While most pundits will acknowledge that the saying “Africa is not for sissies” rings authentic at the same time as it comes to property investment , some commentators believe that there are major opportunities for investors on the continent.
  • Bill Gates sees US likely to maintain aid levels for Africa

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/15 The US will probably maintain its current levels of aid to Africa despite President Donald Trump’s proposals to slash funding, according to Bill Gates, the world’s richest man. Trump said in May his government would no longer allocate funding for family planning, a move that has the potential to undermine aid programs in the poorest nations in the world. However, with Congress in control of the budget, it’s unlikely that all cuts proposed by the Trump government will go ahead next year, Gates said in an interview in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital.
  • Africa: Graca Challenges Women, Girls to Grab Emerging Opportunities

    BOTSWANA, 2017/08/13 Women and children's rights advocate Graca Machel yesterday urged women and youth in Tanzania to be proactive at the same time as it comes to seeking development opportunities. Ms Machel, the founder of the Graca Machel Trust, said this during the closing of an eight-day conference in the city which was aimed at empowering communities to tackle development challenges.