Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Albert Muchanga has disclosed that the Zambian Mission in Addis Ababa will soon convene a meeting of Zambians living there to discuss how best to contribute to national development by investing back home.
Ambassador Muchanga said the meeting expected to be held in April this year would be a follow up the National Indaba which was held in Lusaka last year. He said it was agreed during the meeting that Zambians in the diaspora should play a leading role in spearheading development in the country by investing there.
Ambassador Muchanga observed that many countries on the African continent had made marked improvement in their economies because the diaspora had taken interest in investing in their own countries.
He cited Ethiopia as one of the countries on the continent whose success in infrastructure development could be attributed to investment from its citizens in the diaspora.
Ambassador Muchanga, who is also accredited to the AU, said Zambia could make alot of progress in its economy if all people living in the diaspora invested back home.
The Ambassador was speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday when he briefed the press on the on-going AU summit whose focus is “New Information and Communication Technologies in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Development.”
He said the Permanent Representative committee (PRC) comprising ambassadors accredited to the AU concluded its deliberations during which it adopted a report that would be presented to the 16th ordinary session of the executive council.
The ambassador said the summit gives Zambia an opportunity to focus on the role ICT could play towards enhancing socio – economic development.
President Rupiah Banda is among 50 African heads of state and government expected to attend the Addis Ababa AU summit.
According to the AU Commission, Representatives from the United Nations (UN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Bank are also expected to bring their respective competences and knowledge to this unprecedented debate.
The summit is also going to witness the change of guard between outgoing chairperson Colonel Muhammar Gaddafi of Libya and Malawian president Dr Bingu Wamutharika .
Apart from political issues related mostly to the resolution of conflicts on the continent, the heads of state and government are expected to unpack the theme of the summit which has been widely viewed as one of the areas that holds a lot of potential for development on the continent.
The summit is also expected to discuss the report of the commission on unconstitutional changes of governments before considering adopting various reports, among them, the peace and security situation in Africa.
In addition, the summit will discuss the report of the ministerial meeting on the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The summit will further launch the AU flag and present awards to two African scientists who won the continental science prizes before climaxing into the 14th ordinary session of the heads of state and government summit.
ZANIS
This story is ‘old skul’ we have heard more than enough. These guys in foreign service seem to have nothing else to do. Ba Bwezani nabeve, ndeke baikonda ka? I think he has covered more mileage that most pilots on international flights.:-w
We heard about the creation of a desk at Statehouse for the diaspora and then zzzzzzzzzzzzz. Whats up?
As for me I will invest in any way I choose according to my resources and circumstances, it’s not for some idling ambassador to tell me what to do. I know of one embassy where they behave like kings and think when they attend to you it is a favour. Their attitude on the phone is appalling, they just dismiss you just like that. It is no wonder because most of them are failures in their previous jobs back home and get deployed to foreign service (dumbing ground) and others are sent to embassies through tribalism and nepotism.
Lies lies and lies.
The Zambian Gov thru ZRA do really sqeeze us by charging us too much pa chirundu.My stuff were there last week i had to pay all what was meant for capitol.Charged even more than i spent to buy the goods meant to open a business in LSK for my impoverished family.A family full of orphans.
They mean no mercy when it come to discouraging Zambians in the DIASPORA.It is not the country to think of investing in.Unless you were a foreigner.Get your goods thru the border u will face it.Loans Hard.Life Hard.Politicians’ mouths?BIG
#4, sorry I meant ‘dumping ground’
#3, sorry I meant ‘dumping ground’, NOT dumbing.
Muchanga should come to London as high commissioner so that we can see change in that mission – they don’t answer phones, they misplace forms for passports which take 1 year to be processed (if you’re lucky), no meetings at embassy for Zambians, even the website for the London mission is outdated! Please give us the address of the Diaspora Desk at State House!
#7, Expatriate, You are 100% right, I thought I was the only one that has encountered unnecessary problems at the London mission. My daughter’s forms have gone missing 10 months after they were submitted and when you enquire it’s more problems.
me i will only invest if they introduce dual citizenship otherwise nonte,,,,also i beleive charlees musondas sons r good players but they have europena passport…
This is meant for those who would like to invest at home. This program is for patriotic Zambians who would like to participate in the economic liberation of our country. Lets look at the programs available for Zambians? Have an open mind. We used to complain that we could not invest back home because the environment was not conducive! Now you say we can’t because someone at the High Commission did not pick up the phone!!! Come on.. If you are an investor, you will realize that Zambia is amongst the most competitive destinations for investment at this point in time, and the Government has assistance programs for Zambians for YOU to have an urge! This Government supports ALL Zambians where ever they are. Most have taken advantage and are progressing. Others choose to COMPLAIN. Its a Choice!