Grow Zambia Targets Offer Economic Opportunities - HAABAZOKA

By Ellen Hambuba

Zambia’s transition from economic stabilisation to growth could create significant opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy and manufacturing if Government and the private sector work together to achieve the targets under the Grow Zambia agenda.

Speaking on the ZNBC Sunday Interview Programme, economist LUBINDA HAABAZOKA said the agenda differs from previous national development plans because it sets specific production targets for key sectors of the economy.

The targets include generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity, producing 10 million tonnes of maize, attracting five million tourists, producing three million tonnes of copper, three million tonnes of soya beans, one million tonnes of sugar and one million tonnes of wheat, as well as generating one billion United States dollars in beef exports.

Professor HAABAZOKA said the targets should not be viewed as figures for Government alone, but as benchmarks around which the public and private sectors can organise investments.

He said the 10-million-tonne maize target, for example, goes beyond simply increasing production, as higher output would create demand for fertiliser, agricultural equipment, irrigation, storage, transport and packaging.

Professor HAABAZOKA said increased maize production would also create opportunities for value addition, with Zambia able to process surplus maize into products such as starch and animal feed.

He said the same value-chain approach should be applied to other sectors targeted under Grow Zambia.

Professor HAABAZOKA also said Zambia should look beyond the domestic market and take advantage of growing demand for food and other products across the African continent.

He cited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Mozambique as potential export markets, saying Zambia is surrounded by countries with demand for agricultural products.

Professor HAABAZOKA said improved connectivity, including rail infrastructure and the use of Mpulungu Port, would be critical to converting regional demand into viable export opportunities.

On the copper target, Professor HAABAZOKA said increased production could have a major impact on the economy.

He said the Government’s target of three million tonnes of copper production could significantly increase Zambia’s foreign exchange reserves, while creating jobs and business opportunities for companies supplying the mining sector.

Professor HAABAZOKA estimates that achieving the copper production target could add about 15 billion United States dollars to Zambia’s reserves over five years.

He said small-scale miners could also contribute significantly to national copper production if they receive support for exploration and gain access to appropriate equipment.

Professor HAABAZOKA said small-scale miners could potentially contribute as much as two million tonnes of copper.

He, however, said increased copper production would depend heavily on the country’s energy capacity.

Professor HAABAZOKA said the target of 10,000 megawatts of electricity would therefore be critical not only for mining, but also for agriculture, manufacturing and value addition.

He said Zambia could also make use of regional power trading as it works to increase domestic generation capacity.

Professor HAABAZOKA said the immediate challenge is to ensure the Grow Zambia targets translate into action rather than remain figures on paper.

He has called on Government ministries and the private sector to align their plans and identify the specific contributions required from each sector to achieve the targets.