This yesterday President of the UPND Mr. Hakainde Hichilema addressed thousands of government officials and investors from across the globe as he spoke at the Global Investment In Africa Summit in London. Speaking alongside the President of Namibia H.E. Hage Geingob, UK Minister of Foreign Affairs Phillip Hammond and Ministers from the governments of Rwanda and Uganda, speakers at the Summit include President John Dramani Mahama (Ghana), President Peter Muthurika (Malawi), and President Thomas Boni Yayi (Benin).
Addressing the audience on the transformative potential of private equity Mr. Hichilema drew on his experience as a self-made businessman and entrepreneur; as well as his ideas about how governments can make changes to facilitate increased investment in areas that will help them to deliver on ambitious growth and development agendas.
Mr. Hichilema noted that while investor interest and appetite in African countries has continued to grow, many countries have failed to capitalise on this fully. In Zambia, for example, he noted that a heavy focus on the mining sector and continual fiddling with the regulation has not only resulted in damaging government’s relationship with companies, but has also seen other sectors neglected where investors are actively looking for opportunities, such as in tourism, agriculture, retail, finance and telecommunications.
These are sectors, Mr Hichilema stressed, which would have the added benefit of creating jobs and driving economic diversification, which is essential to stability and reducing the vulnerability of the currency to changes in the price of any one commodity. Value-addition industries were another priority area identified by Mr Hichilema.
He noted that when Zambia grows its value-addition industries not only will more jobs be created, but also workers can expect to see the value of their wages rise as prices fall due to reduced reliance on imports. We see value addition primary in agriculture. He stressed that selling raw agriculture produce has not helped the farmers that produce the crops. He also said tourism is an enabler that would create many jobs. He said Zambia’s tourism potential has been haphazardly marketed and as a result the country has not properly benefitted from it.
To increase investment flows Mr Hichilema advocated reductions in red tape and the streamlining of unnecessary bureaucratic processes, which are costly and confusing for both local and international businesses. He also spoke about the importance of governments recognising the full extent and transformative potential of opportunities within its own borders.
When a government can identify these opportunities and communicate them to those with the capital then the need for government to build up heavy debts both at home and abroad will be removed, Mr. Hichilema explained. He cautioned about the need for transparency, however, so that the benefit to each party was clear to see and no party was benefitting through corrupt means.
In summing up Mr. Hichilema said for him and the UPND discussions such as these are essential as economic growth is the only sustainable way of reducing poverty and ensuring that enough jobs are created for every citizen to be able to make a decent living. This, he said, would be done with the private sector as the major driver of economic growth.
That is the next true president, right there…not people who cannot even spell correctly. We Zambians must really be ashemed of ourselves…The Presidency reflects the caliber of its citizens…Lungu reflects the caliber and credibility of Zambians at the moment, but come-on people, we can do better!!! The presidency is too important to be given to such drunken humans like Chagwa’s level of midiocrity.
@Iluminati 640
I am shocked that some ldiot on this site could actually red-arrow you!!
@Iluminati 640
You make good points. However, you were unable to demonstrate your own standards by misspelling ‘ashamed’! LoL!
@Illuminati, whattt the f#%ck, you mean Lungu reflects caliber of HH? Why people even give you more than 20 points?
Thats my president right there. The whole world now knows who is best to run Zambia for the betterment of all its citizens.
Thumps up my President.
just wondering why Shi Tasila wasnt there!!!
Man you started very well, but you spoiled your your comments when you became personal and started attacking the individual.
Thumbs up HH, you are not only an inspiration to the Zambia youth but Africa & the world at large, no politics about it, you are a great son of Africa worth to emulate.
Good observations but how do you add vale to agriculture produce such as pineapples in Mwinilunga, groundnuts in Chipata when the owners of capital have factories in South Africa where they are processing to add value. What deliberate capital, tax and monetary incentives would you use without inslaving the masses through poor wages?
It is all well and good to speak about it, but implementation constraints must be adressed.
Yes, HH is right, poverty can only be reduced if we create employment opportunities for both our skilled and unskilled manpower in Zambia. Economic diversification is actually a long term concept with a minmum of 5 to 10 years. However, with the current economic doldrums we are in we need some urgent short-term mitigation measures to the peoples’ suffering.
Mundetele: Here is the answer to concerns on factories in South Africa. He clearly says, “Zambia grows its value-addition industries”, meaning processing raw materials within the country.
He noted that when Zambia grows its value-addition industries not only will more jobs be created, but also workers can expect to see the value of their wages rise as prices fall due to reduced reliance on imports. We see value addition primary in agriculture. He stressed that selling raw agriculture produce has not helped the farmers that produce the crops.
Excellent Mr President……I come from the Northern region, but have always put my vote on you because I do not believe in such things as tribalism but the abilities of an individual. I believe you could come out as the best ever Zambian president, given a chance. We will keep fighting and our Almighty will one day reward us for our perseverance ……
Yes you may come from Northern region but are you Bemba? Gary Nkombo has started a war that Southern Province is geared to change Government, and we are saying that the Northern circuit is very so well positioned and ready to ensure that President Lungu and the PF Government continue their mandate to develop Zambia for the next 10 years.
@UFO Really??, why are you guys linking everything the guys in the UPND are saying to tribalism and regionalism? am starting to thing the PF is preaching tribalism more than any other political party in Zambia today. And they are trying to use it against their opponents. please guys lets discuss issues, I mean its just normal for a politician coming from Southern province regardless of a political party they are representing to say WE as a province are ready to change government especially if they are in opposition or keep the government in power if representing the party in power. what war are you talking about? When Munkombwe was made southern province PF whatever, he would make statements such as WE in southern province blabla and many other people representing other provinces…Do not…
” When a government can identify these opportunities and communicate them to those with the capital then the need for government to build up heavy debts both at home and abroad will be removed, Mr. Hichilema explained.” Imwe in what capacity is Icilema on Nation issues? Is this in order? Can someone please educate me on this one? Can any opposition leader not mandate to speak on behalf of our country just go and start talking to international gathering on National policies?
But you are a the dunderheads Mumbi Phiri talked about who vote for PF so why waste our time trying to educate you? Do you not have pangas to sharpen because you are making noise kuno. Intellectuals are talking.
The Invited him, your president could have cancalled last minute like he did with the bbc or the Presidential debates remember. All in all Mumbi Phiri has vindicated you when se stated that illetarate people wont vote for HH, am sure she had you in mind.
Probably ECL declined the invitation at the last minute like he did with the BBC interview
Sir, HH is a potential President of this country and his voice is almost as loud as His Excellence’s’ (Edgar Chagwa Lungu). whatever, the man said was not spoken from the brews, the man is as informed about the policies of this nation just like any other responsible citizen of this beloved nation, I mean policies are in public domain and you and me can talk about them to anyone. I see nothing wrong with the opposition leader speaking on behalf of the country in such an important meeting that PROBABLY had no government official representing us. HH is a Zambian who just answered the call and he did justice. ONE ZAMBIA ONE NATION!!!
He was invited the guy is respected what the lies you are being fed in Zambia you can not gate crush an event here her in England the world knows that the current President in Zambia is nothing to talk about HH is highly respected and connected like it or not it is happening
If you are a member of the group which according to Ms. Phiri is represented by PF, you will find everything possible to contradict and in your usual fashion insult this son of the Zambia. He means well for us all.
@ UFO, Your questions are not clear. If you want people to “educate” you then clarify the issues that you need help on. Otherwise HH raised very important points in his presentation. He has also pointed out where African governments are making mistakes in terms of economic planning. This is followed by him stating the likely solutions. I guess the organisers of the summit saw something in HH, hence the reason why he was invited.
“Religion was invented when the first con man met the first f o o l.” – Mark Twain.
SAYING WHAT HH WAS READING WHICH EVEN A ORDINARY GRADE 12 CAN DO IF ITS WRITEN FOR HIM/HER. THESE ARE SONGS COMMON TO EVERY POLITICIAN IN AFRICA. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM & ZAMBIANS . U CAN BE THE BEST (SELF RATED) BUT IF ARE U TRIBAL,RUDE,SELFISH,SATA,ETC TAPALI ICHOBE U ARE WORSTING YO TIME & RESOUCES. THE ONES WHO INVITED HIM THINKING HE IS GOING TO WIN THEY WILL BE VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED HE WILL NOT BE EVEN SECOND NEXT YEAR BUT THIRD.
Sadly people global will be nowhere in sight on election day to usher in Icilema and his fellow Tonga tribalists. The people in sight will be the majority of Zambian voters, hungry and desirous for the continuation in office of His Excellency Edgar C Lungu. There!
HH is in denial ! Up to now he can’t accept that he is just an opposition leader ! He went in his personal capacity and what he is explaining is not new we hear the government us putting in diversification systems and their results can’t be seen overnight! How long will the irrigation system build up take? How long will it take to complete all the hydrolic plants, solar plants? HH is lost in theories ECL is busy implementing his projects!
I don’t know if those ministers or Britons will vote for HH?
@hammer, no those Britons will not vote for HH, but if he was their country-man, they would not waste his brain. That’s the main difference between them and us.
Yours is mere emotional support for ECL. The tragedy of Zambia is that apart from Mwanawasa and Kaunda the rest of the Zambian presidents have found themselves in State House through emotional support (tribalism, regionalism, etc). Consequently, the country is a mess because of its selfish and clueless presidents surrounded by equally useless greedy and corrupt ministers.
@Iluminati 640
You make good point. However, you were unable to demonstrate your own standards by misspelling ‘ashamed’! LoL!
To increase investment flows Mr Hichilema advocated reductions in red tape and the streamlining of unnecessary bureaucratic processes, which are costly and confusing for both local and international businesses. He also spoke about the importance of governments recognising the full extent and transformative potential of opportunities within its own borders.
That is what frustrates every businessman. The government needs to understand this and do things to remedy the situation. The current government seems to have no will or capacity to deal with these matters. The budget presente
U COPIED WHAT GOVT IS DOING U ~
Comment:who posted this and what is he up to? who was hh in the forum business partner or facilitator ? moreover was it a governments meeting? these are posts which are showing disrespect a prty presido cant represent government of a prticular nation . useless post
@UFO[unidentified flying object], anyone can talk on national issues, including yourself if you are given a chance to do it. What one cannot do is to commit, promise or enter into deals on behalf of their government because they have no mandate or authority to do that. HH does not only talk of theories but a look at his life shows that he has succeeded in business by first theorizing and implementing. He is one individual who has the right mix- education and hands on. Chakubaba chabe ati he has been invited instead of your boss.
You should actually be happy that the country was represented by one smart fellow in the name of HH who was able to acquit himself so well. Imagine if it was Kashimba Chimbwili who went there??
UPND,votes re here in Zambia and not in Europe .Not even a single muzungu will cast a vote for him.HH is shooting in the dark,while ECL is in Central Province busy demolishing UPND structures. M reliably informed that several UPND leaders in Central Province ve defected to PF.Continue bragging about HH’s calibre while he continues receiving the usual beating from ECL next year.
@La Liga, but I thought Kambwili has always told you that everything is global? I this global village is making decisions for you, you have to be there to tell them your side of the story. I think these people did not invite the current King because they did not budget for the beers. See the other high profile people that shared the platform with our son of the soil. There, you need all cylinders firing not just cheating people in Serenje. The President even fails to find a market for the local maize and is still busy cheating his people. EL is a serious reliability and needs to be caged.
@La Liga
Awe mwe, ulichikopo niani wa kufyele.
HO CAN YOU BE SO BLINDED AND NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE REALITY, ARE REALLY SERIOUS? sO IWE YOU DONT NOT WANT TO HAVE A SMART GUY TO LEAD YOU OUT OF THE ECONOMIC MUD THAT ZAMBIA IS IN, AND YOU WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITHOUT THINKING TO SUPPORT YOUR ECL, TEFYO.
CANT BELIEVE IT
Pipo never cease to ameise me, you think foreign investment can develop Africa ? What type of myopic and warped thinking is this. For every dollar that is invested in Africa as FDI the four more dollars are externalise out of Africa. Pipo claim to be educated but ……
YAYAYA.. The games are in full gear now. WINA AZALILA. Before we insult and say all the negative statements sometimes we release without finding the patience to articulate issues well, lets all register as voters. That way we will insure that we contribute to the putting in of our preferred leaders. There can only be one Zambia.
“Intellectuals” lets put off our western English, wear boots and go to the villages to preach the Zambia we need in our local languages, otherwise we will be the only ones voting for our president. Madam Mumbi Phiri was sport on
his business cronies he worked with to rape Zambian companies organize a talk show ati HH the next president. (in your dreams men). They are trying to reposition themselves to come and takeover and rape the country again since they have seen recovery of the Zambia economy because they thought Zambia was dead after raping it together with HH. We shall never allow it again, we are determined to run our country free from neo-colonialism.
@La Liga
Well, I just wonder how old you are. Zambians used to feel uplifted wherever they found themselves in the world by the way KK was respected. You are right to say no matter how much HH tries to prove his capabilities to you you will still reject him for reasons best known to you. If indeed HH has the ability to effectively transform Zambia and we Zambians continue to reject him then he will lose nothing as an individual. He will have done his part. Zambia can be represented by individuals and private entities. It is not only people in government who can represent Zambia. Mrs Mumbi was right. With this kind of thinking Zambia will continue to reject intellectuals we spend so much resources to produce. But President Lungu is a university graduate too. WhY do the so-called…
HH IS NOT WORTH HIS SALT HE BASICALLY WENT FOR A SUMMIT TO DE-CAPAIGN ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT WHAT KIND OF A LEADER. HE IS A MISSED A CALL.
con that he sold the mines to and the ones he got the monies for his 2015 campaign are now Haunting he desperately arranged for that trip they want their money,anglo america is on him hence,the desperation soon they will ask for his blood kaili no deaths in the areas you perpertuated violence meaning no blood sacrifice ulumucibe mune contolola situation mune before it is too late
i meant con men
Only people with brains are invited to speak at such summits. You will never find dull presidents who specialise in reading prepared speeches there. The quality of leadership that Zambia has now is just fit for going to rural areas to tell rural dwellers lies. It has no capacity to speak at such high level meetings.
That was a good lecture by Hakainde. Its really regrettable to read bloggers “playing the person and not the ball”. There is a lot of mind-set shifting needed if Zambia has to improve. There seems to be too many functionally illiterate people in Zambia, apparently with voter’s cards too. I hope it is not the result of mushrooming universities in compounds, backyards and rooftops.
I just hope that voting can be made mandatory by Law in Zambia just like in Australia. I am told by an Australian colleague that in his country if you don’t vote you will be in trouble, you will have a case to answer. It should be the same in Zambia.
Zambia is for Zambians. We need real investors like Aliko Dangote (African). The investors the calculator boy was addressing are the same people who have brought woes in Africa. HH and his vice GBM boast that they have money, but has their wealth benefited us. These guys buy cheap maize and produce expensive mealie meal. We know your greed and we won’t give you chance to loot Zambia.
Yes, instead we will give the theives in PF a chance to steal more….
Let PF win in 2016 so that they can clean their mess, if they have the capacity .HH please rest after 2016 and avoid the stress of being president of a very highly indebted poor country. This country deserves chimbwi no plans to rule and ruin it until.
Children of GOD STOP FIGHT EACH OTHER, WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS LET’S PRAY FOR EACH OTHER AS A FAMILY OF GOD. IF GOD SAYS YES WHO CAN SAY NO? NOBODY , SO LET’S USETHE WORD PUSH meaning pray until something happen ..GOD BLES YOU ALL.
Comment:The pipo in suport of the ruling govt why dont u say point instead of insult,preaching tribalism everyday.What is always on yo mouth shows who u are.