Moringa industry rekindles hope among Batswana farmers

 

Moringa Technology Industry Managing Director Hu Yan shares some moringa oil with Batswana farmers (xinhua)

By Derrick Silimina

While climate change is wreaking havoc throughout the world, Africa is more vulnerable to it's devastating effects than others due to the continent's very high dependence on agriculture.

"Pula," one of the most commonly heard words in Botswana, is not only the name of Botswana's currency, but also the Setswana word for rain. So much of what takes place in the Southern African country relies on this essential, frequently scarce commodity.

Botswana, a semi-arid region, has over the years been battling frequent droughts, heat waves and rising temperatures due to climate change. As a result, agriculture has become the most affected sector, thus compromising the country's food security.

Consequently, the intensifying droughts have continued to worsen Botswana's human and wildlife existence, which has also led to livestock and crop losses, leaving traditional farmers destitute, with some local farmers having abandoned or resorted to selling their farmlands.

However, it is said that "to every dark cloud, there is a silver lining," and in this context, a plant – Moringa - is becoming a favorable and alternative commodity among local Batswana farmers.

Favorable commodity

"Don't sell your land, we know times are hard now, but you will not benefit from it in the long run. That kind of money does not last," Assistant Minister of Basic Education Nnaniki Makwinja recently urged local farmers. "Rather than selling, consider growing moringa trees on your farms as the plant is one of the three projects we have since chosen in the socio-economic development of the cluster of our villages."

She implored local farmers to instead consider moringa as their "green diamond."

According to the Department of Agricultural Research, Statistics and Policy Development of Botswana's Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security, about 69 percent of the population benefits from agriculture – as farmers, laborers or both; but prolonged droughts have affected the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock.

"I was attracted to this plant because it is planted organically and also because of its various food and medicinal properties. Therefore, the added value of this commodity will actually benefit local farmers in the country," Botswana Organic and Natural Foods Association (BONFA) Chairperson Oyapo Chimidza told ChinAfrica.

Chimidza said smallholder farmers have started on a small scale, despite a lack of adequate water. He affirmed that the commodity has a good market because it is in short supply locally and abroad, adding that his association is in the process of securing seeds and seedlings to get started.

BONFA, a moringa growing organization, is comprised of over 100 smallholder farmers in south Botswana who promote the development of the moringa industry in the country by engaging with the government and other relevant authorities on matters that affect their industry, while facilitating the development capacity and training of members and other stakeholders.

Nutritionists say that moringa is a versatile plant and every part of the plant can be eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines. Its leaves and pods are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, including proteins, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron and magnesium, among others.

For this reason, Moringa Technology Industry, based in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, has been adding value to the moringa plant since 2014.

The Chinese processor and manufacturer of moringa products recently delivered the good news to hopeless local Batswana farmers and briefed them on the limited availability of moringa tree yields such as the leaves, sticks and pods that are used as raw material to produce moringa oil, nuts, noodles, powder, tea, pills, pasta and instant porridge, a few products that have already been stocked up in various local shops, chain stores and pharmacies.

"I want local farmers to start planting moringa trees so they can supply our manufacturing company that produces various moringa products," Moringa Technology Industry Managing Director Hu Yan said, adding that once local farmers are encouraged to grow moringa trees, the company can start exporting moringa products to Europe and the United States through the Botswana Investment and Trade Center.

With its wide range of health benefits that makes it appealing to European consumers who are looking for natural health products to improve their health and well-being, demand for moringa is increasing in the European market. The commodity's nutritional supplements are said to be increasing because of an ageing population, rising veganism and vegetarianism, growing need to reduce calories and weight loss, among others.

The global moringa products market was estimated at $5 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $8.4 billion by 2026, according to the Facts and Factors, a global business consulting firm.

Gaining scale

Regardless of the fact that Botswana is a semi-arid country with unpredictable rainfall, Hu has embraced moringa farming techniques with ease since the "wonder plant" requires little water and manpower, making it an ideal plant for the harsh weather conditions in the country. Notwithstanding the climate change challenges that continue to daunt local farmers' productivity which hampers their endeavor to end poverty, Hu has instead been living in Botswana since 1996, a country he now considers home in which he is doing all he can to contribute to its agricultural productivity.

However, trade experts are of the view that at least 50 tons of moringa is required to start exports, hence, Hu has planted over 20,000 moringa trees at his company's Tlokweng farm since 2017 and has also been training local farmers on growing moringa trees and giving them seeds to get started.

With Hu's quest to ensure that about 500,000 trees are planted within the greater Gaborone area, his efforts have since attracted both the young and old farmers from across the country.

"We go to some other villages around Gaborone and we show them how to plant this tree. We want them to then supply us (later on) after the trees are ready. This way, they too can do their own business," he reiterated.

Cecilia Boitumelo, a 42-year-old farmer, said from Hu's workshop which was recently held within the Lentsweletau-Mmopane area, she learnt a lot regarding moringa production and has resolved to start planting in a bid to supply to a readily available local market.

Ben Kgengwenyane, a small-scale farmer from Borolong Village in the outskirts of Gaborone, considers moringa plant as a game changer in his farming activities.

"I have always been a farmer of legumes, but with our constant unfavorable weather pattern, I always wanted a crop that is drought-resistant and can give me good money. After I discovered the moringa factory, I am now excited to grow the commodity," Kgengwenyane said.

(Reporting from Botswana)

CAS program helps underprivileged students fulfill their dreams

 

Some of the student beneficiaries at the UNZA with Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie (COURTESY PHOTO)  

By Derrick Silimina 

As Africa continues to brim with a young labor force, abundant natural resources and wide ocean fronts perfect for global trade, there is a growing desire among its people for greater economic prosperity.

In this context, the significance of China's rapidly expanding education and training cooperation in Africa cannot be overemphasized.

China is the largest single provider of university scholarships to students from Sub-Saharan Africa, awarding about 12,000 out of a total of 30,000 bursaries that were distributed by the top 50 global donors, according to the Global Education Monitoring Report 2020 released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In Zambia, educational cooperation with China has undoubtedly achieved fruitful outcomes in recent years, as the Asian nation ascribes great importance to the development of education in the Southern African country.

According to an old saying, education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope and hope brings peace. For this reason, the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship (CAS) program has played a great role in sponsoring outstanding Zambian students from modest backgrounds to attain education, and contributing to the development of the country.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, the purpose of the scholarship is to help young Zambian students from vulnerable families overcome their financial difficulties in order to realize their dreams and have a successful career.

Higher education 

During the three years from 2015 to 2018, China had provided 30,000 scholarships to African students and financing of $60 billion to implement 10 cooperation plans, one of which was for higher education; at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2018, China again pledged to provide Africa with 50,000 government scholarships and 50,000 training opportunities for seminars and workshops, and would invite 2,000 young Africans to visit China for exchanges in the next three years.

Through institutions of higher learning such as the University of Zambia (UNZA), China trains about 200 Zambians annually, which includes short courses on agriculture, aquaculture, small and medium business, management, and sports, among others.

"Faced with new developments and challenges, China will continue to improve institution building, develop new ideas and expand areas of cooperation with Africa to bring our cooperation to greater heights," Chinese President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

The China-Zambia educational cooperation plays a vital role in talent training, technology progress and cultural exchanges with fruitful outcomes.

As the future of China-Africa relations lies in young people, China is providing young Africans with more training and job opportunities, and opening up more space for their development.

"My academic life has literally been a struggle since high school as I always narrate this story to my fellow students and friends. Many thanks to the Chinese Embassy in Zambia for this rare scholarship opportunity as I want to improve my family's livelihood after I graduate," said Andy Ilunga, a third-year student pursuing a bachelor's degree in education at the UNZA.

Angela Tembo, another student at the UNZA pursuing a bachelor's degree in natural sciences, noted, "I am from a humble background where life isn't easy without university education. Having been considered for this scholarship is a great turning point for my future and that of my family."

"Educational cooperation between China and Zambia has achieved fruitful outcomes in recent years because the Chinese side attaches great importance to the development of education," Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie said recently when talking with the students from the UNZA who are sponsored by the CAS.

Li said that his embassy stands ready to continue to work with Zambian universities such as the UNZA, and also welcomes excellent Zambian students to pursue higher education in China.

The Chinese envoy has since encouraged students to work hard and become envoys of China-Zambia friendship and cultural exchanges.

Speaking at the same event, UNZA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tamala Kambikambi expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for the support, and spoke highly of the development of China and Chinese education.

"As an institution, we look forward to enhancing cooperation with the embassy and promote educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries," Kambikambi said.

Building careers 

On their part, the students thanked Li for the embassy's support, saying they will cherish the opportunity to learn in the UNZA and contribute to Zambia's national development and the Zambia-China friendship.

"We cherish this opportunity and we promise to study hard to live up to the ambassador's expectation and make our due contribution to Zambia's national development and the Zambia-China friendship," said a student representative who expressed his appreciation for the support rendered by Li and the Chinese Embassy in Zambia.

Due to economic underdevelopment in the country, many students in the tertiary education are unable to fulfill all the academic requirements due to financial difficulties. This leads to emotional stress and, if not checked, affects their academic performance.

Although financial support to students in Sub-Saharan Africa has been stagnant since 2000, China's ongoing socio-economic partnerships in the region have resulted in an increase in aid for African students at both local tertiary institutions and in China since 2010.

According to World Education Services, an organization verifying academic credentials, some 30,000 Africans received scholarships between 2012 and 2015, and China has promised additional support.

UNESCO data show that China has increased the total scholarships – new and ongoing - for 2019–22 to 50,000. This reflects an increase of 20,000 over the number of scholarships that were made available in the preceding three years. It represents an additional 5,000 scholarships a year.

"You know what, in life – once you have hope for a better future, there will always be good people to help you. I look forward to seeing more Zambian students from humble backgrounds benefit and get empowered by this Chinese academic initiative," Ilunga added.

(Print Edition Title: Funding for Future) 

Africa: The next frontier for cryptocurrency

By Mbuyoti Silimina

Africa is going through a monetary revolution never seen before and has become a fertile ground for digital transactions.

Consumers and businesses around the world are using cryptocurrency, a form of digital or virtual currency, more than ever before. This has partly been influenced by the proliferation of affordable virtual investments as a way to make a quick buck. Much of the interest in these unregulated currencies is to trade for profit, with speculators at times driving prices skywards.

Top cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Dash and Monero, but Bitcoin leads the pack in Africa and the rest of the globe. Created in 2009 by a person or people with the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, investors hope Bitcoin becomes a major mode of financial transaction in the digital age. 

African countries including Zambia have widely adopted alternatives to traditional banking in the form of mobile money platforms including Zoona, Kazang, MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money. Some entrepreneurs are of the view that the local money market is ripe for the wide adoption of cryptocurrency because of this.

In many African countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, cryptocurrency is growing in popularity as more people see it as a lucrative investment with high potential returns.

An online survey by a data platform Statista found that 32 percent of Nigerians use cryptocurrencies – the highest proportion of any country in the world. Estimates show that of the top 10 countries for trading volumes, Nigeria ranked third place after the US and Russia in 2020, generating more than US$400 million worth of transactions.

Some observers describe cryptocurrency as a disruptive innovation, one that could flourish in Africa, under the right circumstances. However, cryptocurrency is not without its challenges. Firstly, cryptocurrencies are not legal tenders. Having said this, in June 2021 El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as a legal tender, with the change to come into effect in 90 days of the adoption. One can’t help but wonder when or if other countries will follow suit.

In 2018, the Bank of Zambia clamped down on cryptocurrency-related businesses, days after declaring that it does not view digital currencies such as Bitcoin as legal tender. The crackdown began when the central bank announced an investigation into Heritagecoin Resources Limited for alleged money laundering. The Lusaka-based FinTech startup that dealt in the business of cryptocurrency faced allegations that it had taken on traditional banking activities, such as accepting deposits from clients, something it was not certified to do.

Many people in Zambia are desperate for cash and have fallen prey to scams by firms that invite them to invest cash with the promise of high returns. Therefore, if one is thinking of investing in cryptocurrency, it’s important to be as well-informed on the topic as possible to better avoid falling prey to scams.

Recently, BoZ said that although Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies retained “some monetary characteristics, such as, being used as a means of payment on a person-to-person basis, cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Zambia.”

In neighbouring Zimbabwe, the central bank also used its authority over commercial banks to shut down cryptocurrency markets.

With the continued depreciation of the kwacha and other African currencies, caused by a number of factors such as rising debt, dwindling foreign exchange reserves and lack of investment in the manufacturing sector, cryptocurrency becomes more appealing.

Zambia has experienced a slowdown in economic activity over the years. In this context, financial analysts say digital transactions through platforms such as eWallet, e-Pay and mobile money is the way to go.               

As economic shocks continue to affect Zambia’s inflation, employment figures and national debt among other factors, the Private Sector Development Association (PSDA) believes that the main challenge of adopting cryptocurrency in Africa is who decides the value of the currency.

“If you look at mobile money applications, money transfers and digital payments, these are bound by physical currencies in respective African countries, so nobody can really manipulate them and that’s why if I do an Airtel Money transfer to you of say K500, I know that I have not made the money, you haven’t either – it’s simply shifting real money from my account to your account,” PSDA Chairperson Yusuf Dodia told Nkwazi.

Dodia further stressed that despite cryptocurrency innovation being of the future, somebody decides whether that money should exist or not. It can easily be manipulated and that’s where the danger is. Furthermore, cryptocurrency is currently not supported by the international monetary and banking system.

Investment experts contend that for digital money to thrive easily in any African nation, prudent economic management of its natural resources is key. They refer to the success story of cryptocurrency in Egypt and South Africa where both nations do not allow their natural resources to be exported without the equivalent US dollar coming into their banking system.

Economists agree that the Zambian market is not yet ready for a cryptocurrency revolution as there are still information gaps in terms of policies on virtual currencies, what cryptocurrency is, how it operates, what it can do and what it cannot do and so on.

“Many people in Zambia tend to hold an opinion that it is just one of those pyramid schemes because of the way it has been marketed. For instance, you are enticed to buy cryptocurrency now and told that after three weeks, the value would have doubled and you wonder how will it double? What economic activity is backing this currency? Because money, whether it be virtual or actual, must be backed by production,” Lusaka-based economist Mambo Haamaundu says.

He continues, “Money is the store of value and if I am storing value, how does my value double within a short period of time. When you deposit money in a bank you earn interest but in a cryptocurrency setup the gains are often said to be ridiculously high. The question is, what is it that really happens to this money for it to appreciate to 30 percent within a month?”

While cryptocurrency is a complex topic and not without its risks it is here to stay for the foreseeable future. If managed properly it can be a force for good and in several developing countries it is used as a tool for financial inclusion and a supplement to the traditional banking sector.

FQM Invest in Cutting-Edge Mining Equipment

By Derrick Silimina

KALUMBILA Minerals Limited (KML), a subsidiary of First Quantum Minerals (FQM), says the mining firm’s quest to invest in cutting-edge equipment will boost copper production by about 15 percent.

Speaking during a familiarization tour of its recently acquired In-pit copper ore crusher, a state-of-the-art mining machine, KML Project Manager for CR4 Pocket Construction, Albert Jonah said investment in the in-pit crushers is a milestone achievement as they are not common in the world.

Mr Jonah, a mining engineer, noted that the mega mining paraphernalia is worth over US$50 million each, adding that the mining giant has invested four in Panama and four at its Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila district of North-Western Province.

He therefore affirmed that for this reason, copper production at Sentinel Mine will go up by 15 percent by 2022, hence the need to procure another in-pit ore crusher.

“By 2022, our copper production will be up by 15 percent, and as the pit is expanding towards the east, this latest crusher will play a vital role as more ore gets exposed on the eastern side of the pit. These crushers will be relocated as the pit expands to optimise the mining process,” Mr Jonah noted.

KALUMBILA Minerals Limited Project Manager for CR4 Pocket Construction Albert Jonah explains the effectiveness of the In-pit ore crushers at Kalumbila Open pit mine. – Picture by Derrick Silimina/SUMA SYSTEMS.

With a capacity of 7,000 tonnes per hour translating into about 150,000 tonnes production per day, double the size of the first three crushers on-site, the project manager bubbled with confidence that the masterpiece is an awesome investment in the country’s mining history.

“This In-pit crusher is the fourth we’ve got at Sentinel Mine, which is, more or less, double the size of the first three that are in operation. We started the pocket construction of this new crusher in December 2020 and total completion is likely to be at the end of July this year.”

Mr Jonah stated that in-pit ore crushers reduce the mine’s haulage costs which saves the mining operations in the long run as compared to top-off pit crushers as the rest of the haulage is done by conveyor belts towards the plant.

He stressed that the installation of each in-pit crusher came at a huge cost as the latest gear has so far consumed about $2 million in the pocket development cost. In terms of assembly of the massive unit, the facility requires about 150 personnel that are doing the project works for a period of six months.

Investment in such high-tech mining equipment facilitates the transfer of technology among the local mining staff as the assembly and installation of the machinery is being done by in-house personnel.

“We’ve got a local project team that’s working on this fourth crusher as they have learnt from international contractors that were brought in during the installation of the first three crushers. I think it’s vital for local staff to know dynamics of such technology as this achieves better control of the facility and is cost effective.”
Regarding the lifespan of the in-pit crushers, Mr Jonah confirmed that the mining apparatus can stand the test of time and even up-to the end of the mining lease.

“For as long as we do maintenance works on them, the life of these crushers goes up-to the end of mining operations."

The Mandarin Road to Success

© stepmap.de

By Derrick Silimina

 

As Africa’s population grows, many young people have trouble finding jobs. More than 15 million Africans aged 15-24 are unemployed, representing 13.5% of that age group, according to the policy-oriented Mo Ibrahim Foundation. That percentage is more than twice the unemployment rate of Africans aged 25 and over (6.1%), showing that joblessness hits young people the hardest.

There is, however, a ray of hope for the unemployed: learning the Chinese language, and especially its main variant, Mandarin. In Zambia, as elsewhere in Africa, learning Chinese is catching on as a way to escape unemployment.

In Zambia, the blossoming relationship with China began more than 50 years ago and has boosted the economy considerably. Today about 1,000 Chinese companies have a presence in Zambia, in sectors including manufacturing, retailing, agriculture, infrastructure, health and education.

However, a language barrier between Zambians and Chinese can make communication bumpy. While China makes efforts to train its people who have dealings in Zambia in the official local language, English, language barriers remain – particularly in parts of Zambia that use one of the country’s seven official vernacular languages.

The language barrier has created a need for Zambians who can communicate with suppliers and headquarters personnel in China. With the cooperation of Zambia’s education officials, China is promoting Mandarin language skills in Zambia through the Confucius Institute, a government-funded partnership between Chinese universities and universities in other countries.

The Confucius Institute in Zambia enrols more than 80 university students per semester in its courses. It offers six levels of instruction in afternoon and evening classes. This instruction responds to a clear demand, says Zhang Run, deputy director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia. “We receive calls every day from Chinese companies in Zambia looking for employees who can speak Chinese,” he says.

In addition to offering university-level courses, Zambia’s government has signed an agreement with the Confucius Institute to provide Chinese instruction at junior and senior secondary schools. The Teaching Council of Zambia, an educators’ group, welcomes the move. “This will bring value to the country's education system,” says Council Registrar Ebby Muganga.

Many Zambian graduates have found jobs as interpreters in Chinese-owned companies. Others have been hired as human resources managers, secretaries and line executives liaising with headquarters. “I am grateful to the authorities who made it possible for me to learn Chinese,” says Thandiwe Chaaba, a secretary at Hongsen Investment Ltd., a Chinese firm with a factory in Lusaka's Industrial Area. The Hongsen plant recycles plastic bottles into other wares such as dishes, cups and buckets. Chaaba serves as liaison between her Chinese employers and local clients and workers.

Zambian wholesalers and retailers – just like local employees of Chinese-owned companies – also find it useful to speak Chinese. One example is Memory Tembo, the 30-year-old owner of a small retailing business in Lusaka. She has enrolled at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, hoping to deal more effectively with her Chinese suppliers. “Any transactions with my Chinese partners will be easier without a language barrier,” she says.

Derrick Silimina is a freelance journalist based in Lusaka. He focuses on Zambian agriculture and sustainability issues.
derricksilimina@gmail.com
 

Chinese Firm Breathes Life into Ventilator Supply in Zambia

 

A medical worker receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Lusaka on April 14 (XINHUA)

 By Derrick Silimina

The onset of the coronavirus disease has created a shortage of oxygen gadgets and medical ventilators worldwide. 

In the face of rising COVID-19 cases, countries have rushed to procure medical supplies, such as ventilators or high-pressure oxygen cylinders, in a bid to deal with the disease.

In Africa, the shortage of oxygen is even more severe, and there is urgent need of medical devices that are easier to use, so that different methods of generating oxygen locally at hospitals, including at provincial and district-level hospitals, can be adopted. 

According to the World Health Organization, some 80 percent of people with COVID-19 recover without needing hospital treatment. In the severe cases, medical experts have noted that the virus causes damage to the lungs, leading to a drop in the body's oxygen levels and making it harder to breathe. To alleviate this, a ventilator is used to push air, with increased levels of oxygen, into the lungs. The ventilator also has a humidifier, which adds heat and moisture to the air supply so it matches the patient's body temperature.

Inadequate resources 

In Zambia, lack of capacity to manage critically ill patients with COVID-19 has raised questions about the country's preparedness to deal with the pandemic. The use of advanced technology in the health sector is vital to embark on a vigorous battle against the pandemic.

Theresa Katuna, a COVID-19 survivor from Lusaka's Chawama Township, had wondered if she was going to stay alive after being infected with the virus.

"When I was admitted to the COVID-19 isolation center early this year, I noticed that lack of adequate ventilators hampered the delivery of quality health care to patients who needed to access the ventilators on time," Katuna said, adding however that local medical personnel were really committed to doing their level best to fight against the disease.

In his article titled View From the Hospital Window that recently went viral on social media, renowned journalist Gerald Mwale recounted the dreadful realities of the global pandemic from his bed at the Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for COVID-19.

"I am gazing at this beautiful scenario from my hospital room, where I have been admitted the last two days. I am in the COVID-19 section of the hospital. I am feeling much better than I was two days ago when I was brought in. It all started with a rather irritating sore throat, then a tightness in chest, followed by labored breathing," Mwale narrated on his Facebook page few days before he died.

About 880,000 ventilators are in demand globally amid the pandemic, with the U.S. in need of 75,000 ventilators, while France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Britain are together short of 74,000, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

The shortage of ventilators and intensive care capacity on the continent has been a significant limitation in saving critically ill patients from untimely deaths.

"I caught COVID-19 in the week of March 14, probably at one of the lodges due to a crammed training room. Make no mistake: COVID-19 is a horrible disease. Let us not drop the ball, not even for an iota of a second, in our fight against this disease," renowned Lusaka economist Chibamba Kanyama said. "This is a horrible disease that paralyses you in every way it can, to the extent recovery seems an impossibility. Brethren, keep your guard, protect others and be vigilant the way we wade off the devil."

According to the Ministry of Health, Zambia has recorded 89,592 cumulative COVID-19 cases as of early April, with 1, 225 deaths.

Camco Digital Marketing Officer Mweemba Mweemba demonstrates the operation of medical gadgets in Camco's showroom in Lusaka (DERRICK SILIMINA)

Chinese supply 

China, a major manufacturing hub for medical supplies, has become the source of supply for many countries across the globe as confirmed cases have skyrocketed globally.

Chinese ventilator manufacturers have ramped up production to expand supply of the medical gadgets to other countries, especially developing nations, as demands from abroad surge.

In Zambia, a local Chinese company has joined the country's fight against the global pandemic.

Distinguished for its supply of state-of-the-art agriculture, mining and construction equipment in the Southern African country, Camco has come up with Zambia's first-ever oxygen concentrator to help improve the country's capacity to treat COVID-19 patients.

With its affordable brand of HK series oxygen concentrator, the firm supplies hi-tech products which are researched and developed by Beijing Gaoxin Huakang Technology Co.

"This equipment is specifically designed as a product for both hospitals and clinics as well as individual buyers. It is very affordable and easy to operate as it is equipped with a manual guide," Camco Digital Marketing Officer Mweemba Mweemba told ChinAfrica.

Mweemba stressed that the unique medical kit which can also be used by individual patients at home is one of its kind in the health sector.

Medical experts have since described this technology as a huge milestone in the country's pursuit of self-reliance in medical engineering and the industrialization agenda.

Certainly, available evidence supports prioritizing investment in oxygen infrastructure, not only for COVID-19 cases, but also for other severe acute respiratory infections that are claiming lives.

Medical donations 

Meanwhile, the Chinese Government recently donated more medical equipment to four major hospitals in Zambia to help the country tackle the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donations include ventilators and other equipment meant to prevent and manage the pandemic.

Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie said China decided to make the donation following the outbreak of the second wave and the urgent call to respond to contain the outbreak.

"We are hoping that the equipment will go to the places most in need and we would also like to see that Chinese experience could be used in this process of prevention," the Chinese envoy said.

Receiving the donation, Zambia's then Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya acknowledged that the country was facing challenges brought by COVID-19, but was quick to state that the good leadership and support from cooperating partners like China will enable the country to overcome the challenge.

He said that the donation was timely as it came during the time of the second wave which was severe and has resulted in many patients requiring oxygen.

Reporting from Zambia

Coments to: derrick.silimina@gmail.com

Think local, Buy local

© stepmap.de

By Derrick Silimina

 

As economic conditions worsen under the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, Zambia is looking for ways to boost domestic industries.

In February 2021, Zambia’s Agriculture Ministry restricted imports of onions and potatoes into the country, saying local farmers can meet the demand for the two vegetables. The ruling affects companies such as South African-owned supermarket chains that operate in Zambia and import vegetables from South Africa.

The import restriction “is in line with the presidential directive to prioritise and promote consumption of locally produced fruits and vegetables,” Songawayo Zyambo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, wrote to the Zambia Revenue Authority, which enforces import restrictions at the country’s borders.

Zambian potato and onion farmers naturally were delighted. Calvin Kaleyi, spokesman for the Zambia National Farmers Union, noted that such import restrictions protect domestic jobs and improve the nation’s trade balance, thereby supporting the nation’s currency.

“We implore the Ministry of Agriculture to remain resolute in its policy implementation,” Kaleyi said. “Regulation of imported agriculture products should go beyond onions and potatoes and include all commodities in which we have a comparative advantage as producers.” Less vocal were consumer groups, whose constituents are likely to pay higher prices whenever competitors are excluded from a market.

Farmers are not the only beneficiaries of policies favouring domestic producers. In his 2020 “State of the Nation” address, President Edgar Lungu said government agencies and consumers should give preference to local products. He praised the “Proudly Zambian” campaign, a government-initiated programme that encourages consumers to buy products labelled as made in Zambia.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, 500 product types made by 33 companies have so far been certified to use the “Proudly Zambia” logo. The government and Zambian manufacturers say that, in addition to certifying that a product is local, the logo confirms that a product meets certain quality standards.

The “Proudly Zambian” campaign “creates a ready market for local producers and also employment opportunities for more of our people, particularly the youth,” President Lungu said at the start of the “Buy Zambian” exposition last November. The event showcases Zambian-made goods and services.

He added that more local companies should strive to meet the requirements of the “Proudly Zambian” logo. “I urge you to continue improving the quality and packaging of your products so that they meet these standards,” Lungu told the conference.

The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), a trade group, works toward boosting quality standards of products made in Zambia. It also encourages companies to change production processes to add more value inside Zambia. A key to success is persuading consumers to prefer products with significant local content, says ZAM President Ezekiel Sekele.

“The ‘Buy Zambian’ campaign can succeed when people start to ‘think local’ first,” Sekele says. “I encourage consumers to think Zambia first, buy local products, help promote the growth of the Zambian manufacturing sector and keep our people in employment.”

Derrick Silimina is a freelance journalist based in Lusaka. He focuses on Zambian agriculture and sustainability issues.
derricksilimina@gmail.com