Lusaka – Economist Kelvin Chisanga has warned that delayed payments to suppliers are severely constraining the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), compounding an already difficult operating environment marked by tight monetary conditions and a lending squeeze by commercial banks. Chisanga said many SMEs are facing acute liquidity pressures as government arrears to suppliers…
Lusaka – The Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) closed last week slightly firmer, as investors maintained a cautious but selective approach to trading, resulting in modest gains in the benchmark index amid relatively low market turnover. A total of 253 trades were recorded on the equity market during the final trading session of the week, with…
By Kelvin Chisanga Zambia’s economy has shown a generally improving performance through the first-three quarters of 2025, underpinned by a rebound in mining, stabilising macroeconomic conditions and renewed investment flows. Key drivers include the recovery of copper and cobalt production, supported by progress on major mining assets and higher global prices, which have strengthened export…
LUSAKA The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal discipline and transparent economic management, with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning announcing that K15.56 billion was released in November to support public services, infrastructure, debt obligations, and social programmes. Finance Minister Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, in a detailed statement on Wednesday, said Zambia’s improving credit…
LUSAKA, Wednesday Global crude oil prices remained under pressure midweek, with WTI futures hovering around $58 per barrel, stabilizing after a two day decline driven by renewed concerns over excess supply in the international market. The continued softness in prices comes as traders await crucial market updates from both the International Energy Agency (IEA) and…
LUSAKA, Wednesday The Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) closed Wednesday’s trading session with a mixed performance, as select counters posted notable gains while the broader market remained largely unchanged. Market activity was driven by higher trading volumes in CEC Zambia, Zambia Sugar, ZNCO, and SCBL, although only two counters recorded price movements. Market Movers Gainers Losers…
LUSAKA, Dec 10 The Kwacha continued to depreciate against the U.S. dollar in Monday’s trading sessions, with commercial banks’ rates showing a steady weakening of the local currency driven by persistent demand for the greenback from importers and corporates. According to the Daily Commercial Banks Exchange Rates, the market average retail rate rose to K23.5298…
WASHINGTON, D.C., The Government of Zambia, through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), has entered into three strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with United States companies, deepening bilateral cooperation in critical minerals, data sovereignty, and investment facilitation. The signing ceremony, held at the Embassy of Zambia in Washington, D.C., was witnessed by Zambia’s Ambassador to the…
LUSAKA, Zambia has signed a major energy agreement with Amsons Group and Exergy Africa to develop 1,300 megawatts of new power generation capacity from a mix of solar and coal technologies, marking one of the country’s most significant private-sector energy investments in recent years. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Lusaka, is expected to…
LUSAKA, Dec: ABSA Bank Zambia PLC has signed a new collective bargaining agreement with two major unions, awarding a 14 percent salary increment to all unionised employees, effective April 1, 2025. The agreement, signed in Lusaka, covers the period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, and marks a significant commitment by the bank…
