Vol 64 No 14 | ZAMBIA Hichilema hails 'mission impossible' deal 6th July 2023 Lusaka's debt-restructuring brokered by France's Emmanuel Macron resonated more than his summit to redraw the global finance system A deal to restructure US$6.3 billion of Zambia's foreign debt gives President Hakainde Hichilema much of what he was looking for – a resolution after almost two years... READ FOR FREE
Vol 64 No 4 | BOTSWANAZAMBIAZIMBABWE A bridge 100 metres too far 16th February 2023 Zimbabwe failed to invest in a key trade link over the Zambezi and now that truckers are using it to avoid the country altogether, Harare wants back in Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi is happy to call himself one of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa few friends abroad. Masisi has been outspoken in calling for western sanctions on...
DISPATCHES Vol 64 No 3 | ZAMBIACHINAUNITED STATES East-West blame game on debt heats up 24th January 2023 IMF chief Georgieva and US Treasury secretary Yellen call for creditors to speed up key talks on Lusaka's finances Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema urged creditors on 23 January to accelerate negotiations to restructure some US$13 billion of the country's $17bn foreign debt after meeting with Kristalina Georgieva,... READ FOR FREE
Vol 64 No 2 | ZAMBIAAFRICA IN 2023 Hichilema faces critical delivery test 18th January 2023 Belts are tightening and scepticism is growing about the government's ability to fulfil its election pledges At the present rate of progress President Hakainde Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND) – elected in a landslide by voters fed up with six...
Vol 63 No 23 | ZAMBIA Loans before haircuts 17th November 2022 Finalising a US$1.3 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund in September was the easy part of Zambia's bid to avoid insolvency, according to analysts and officials from...
Vol 63 No 19 | ZAMBIA Fears of pain in prospect 22nd September 2022 Pundits and public alike are waking up to the economic sacrifices entailed in the US$1.3 billion IMF rescue package agreed at the beginning of the month amid concern...
Vol 63 No 18 | ZAMBIA Debt deal boosts kwacha 8th September 2022 It was months in the making, but Zambia's $1.3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund has made an instant impact. The kwacha currency gained more than 3%...
Vol 63 No 10 | ZAMBIA Hichilema's team steps on the gas 12th May 2022 After successful talks in Washington DC last month, Zambia's treasury officials hope to finalise a US$1.4 billion Extended Credit facility with the International Monetary Fund by the end...
Vol 63 No 9 | ZAMBIA Hichilema accused of 'losing focus’ 28th April 2022 The President's public appearances are criticised for fighting yesterday's battles instead of concentrating on rocketing prices and the debt burden President Hakainde Hichilema gave a long and emotional press conference on 25 April further cataloguing his persecution by the previous government – which many critics believe irrelevant to...
Vol 63 No 1 | ZAMBIAAFRICA IN 2022 Hichilema enjoys a honeymoon 6th January 2022 Buoyed by strong local and international backing, the new government targets progress on debt and social policy The big questions for President Hakainde Hichilema's new government are whether it will succeed in restructuring the country's US$14.71 billion foreign debt and live up to its pledge...