MTN Expands its GSM African Footprint

Mobile Telephone Networks Zambia (MTN) will be the market leader in mobile telecommunication in Zambia. MTN group executive sales and marketing Freddie Mokoena made this predication after the recent take over of Telecel Zambia a local mobile phone provider.

MTN is a growing multi-national company seeking to expand its African Footprint. By June 2005 the company was already operating GSM networks in eight African countries that collectively serviced the needs of more than 17 million subscribers.

And MTN Zambia has developed a low cost product to reduce the cost of making calls. The product, Mokoena said, was a response to the complaints about prohibitive tariffs in the market. December 1, 2005 is the D-day and its calls on any platform will cost 29 cents all round, instead of the average 40 cents obtaining today.

“Except South Africa, MTN is the market leader in all the markets we operate in. We take pride in being the leader in the telecommunications markets we operate in and Zambia should not be an exception. All we have to do is give the Zambian consumer the kind of product they need and we are solidly on the way to the top,” Mokoena said.

'I am confident and adamant about this because in the other markets, we have learned that being humble, simple, consultative, a listener and offering relevant products is the best way of attaining leadership. Already, we are Africa’s biggest mobile operator by revenues.'

MTN Zambia has a budget of US $70 million over the next two years. And who is to benefit? But Zambia safari as you the international visitor will be able to communicate easily and cheaply too. You’ll be able to do this while you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Victoria Falls.

EU Supports Livingstone Airport Extension

Livingstone International Airport runway is undergoing extension and up grading to take on larger aircraft. European Union (EU) has put up 9.6 million Euros to support the phase two rehabilitation project. EU head of delegation Henry Sprietsma said three quarters of the funds would be used on construction of a 700-metre extension and the rest would be for supervision.

Raubex Construction Company Limited (RCCL) a Zambian company has been contracted to carry out the construction that should take 14 months to complete.

RCCL director Joseph Mwewa said that his company would carry out the Livingstone rehabilitation works. The works involve rehabilitation of airfield and ground lighting and the extension of current runway by 700 metres.

Other works were the extension of existing apron to allow more planes to park, the construction of a new asphalt surface taxiway, construction of a new asphalt surface airside and landside circulation road and car park.

RCCL were also contracted to carry out the rehabilitation of existing buildings and creation of new fire escapes. They would also provide bulk water and sewerage infrastructure.

On completion the runway would accommodate long-haul aircrafts, which would induce more flights to Livingstone and more passengers, oh and tourists yoo!.

Sprietsma said, "The extension of the runway will bring more business opportunities for airline companies, transport-related service providers, for the hotel and tourism sector and other economic sectors."

National Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director Chileshe Kapwepwe said the rehabilitation works would lengthen Livingstone airport’s runway from 2.3 kilometres to 3.0 kilometres in order to accept direct tourists flights from Europe and other parts of the world. Larger aircraft will be able to land easily and the Victoria Falls will be a short single ‘plane hope’. No more connection flights for Zambia safari!

New Stadiums for 2010 FIFA World Cup

Plans are afloat to build three brand new stadiums in Zambia. These must be built to support the first ever African hosted FIFA World Cup. Zambia’s plans are to beat the deadline set by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Zambia will entice some of the qualifiers to the 2010 World Cup to acclimatise and enjoy the country’s safaris before the start of the tournament.

Zambia Sports deputy minister Richard Kazala was sure the three modern stadiums would be completed by 2009. The Zambian government will invite private sector participation with foreign investors like JICA on the Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) concept. All options are open. Zambia plans to involve government-to-government partnerships too. The construction of the three stadiums is poised to start early next year (2006).

China and Korea could fit the bill of building ultra modern stadiums on a government-to-government partnership. The three stadiums are to be built one each in Livingstone, the tourist capital and home of the Victoria Falls, Lusaka the country’s capital and the Copperbelt the hub of the copper industry in Zambia.

It is expected that some of the 32 teams coming for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa would make a stop-over in Zambia to acclimatise and enjoy the great sights at the Victoria Falls. Maybe watching wildlife or taking on a safari might just do the trick… improve their performance at the world’s most popular sport, football

Tourist Arrivals Go Up Up!

Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) is an organ of the government of Zambia charged with marketing tourism. It’s public relations officer, Mbo Kamanga, has confirmed the increase in tourist arrivals in Zambia. Preliminary figures indicate a 41 per cent increase during the first quarter of 2005. The “Visit Zambia 2005” marketing campaign is bearing fruit for Zambia safari.

ZNTB’s main responsibility is to market Zambia’s safaris and tourism, to register tourism enterprises, enforce standards in the industry and ensure compliance of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).

But where are the tourists coming from? South Africa accounted for the highest at 31 per cent, followed by Zimbabwe, Britain, United States, Germany and Australia. But local tourists are hot in pursuit too. There is a general reawakening in local interest in safari destinations in Zambia.

106.4 per cent entered Zambia through Chirundu on the border with Zimbabwe. The border post at Kariba Dam (with Zimbabwe) recorded 26.4 per cent, Livingstone Airport (international visitors) 11.1 per cent, Katima Mulilo 10.3 per cent and Mfuwe Airport recorded a 7.3 per cent increase compared to the first quarter of 2004.

51,097 tourists visited Zambia in the first quarter of this year compared to 36,386 in the first quarter of 2004.

UK Tour Operators for Zambia’s Tourism

British tour operators were in Zambia to sample the country’s tourist attractions. Sponsored by British Airways (BA) they visited a number of tour sites during their stay in the country.

BA country commercial manager Nilanthi Manatunga said the group comprised members of British renowned tour operators such as Africa Travel Centre, Scott Dunn, A and K, Kuoni, Ramblers, Tailormade and Bales. Ms Manatunga said the visit was a private sector initiative, involving all Zambian domestic carriers, such as Proflight, Zambian Airways, Airwaves Zambia and a number of lodges.

‘‘We believe that Zambia has some of the best game parks and lodges in the World, not forgetting the world’s famous Victoria Falls in Livingstone,’’ she said.

The participating lodges included Luangwa River Lodge, Mfuwe Lodge, Robin Popo Safaris, Kapani, Chiawa Camp, Chongwe River Camp and Kasaka River Club.

Others were Royal Zambezi Lodge, Mutemwa, Taita Falcon, Tongabezi River Club, Sausage Tree Camp and Mwambashi Lodge.

Earlier this year BA launched a book on Zambian tourism , entitled ‘Zambia Safari In Style’ whose production cost the airline 80,000 pounds. Now that’s what we call contribution and confidence in Zambia safari.

Albidon and Energy Ventures Partner Up

Albidon Limited (AL), an Australia Stock Exchange (ASX)-listed company has acquired the Munali Nickel Project in Southern Province of Zambia. Albidon’s partner is Energy Ventures Limited (EVL) involved in the exploration and development of uranium and coal deposits. AL is also listed on the London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Under this partnership agreement, major exploration for uranium and coal would commence immediately with $500,000 to be spent by EVE within two years. AL will concentrate on the Munali Nickel Project a robust deposit located in Mazabuka, about 60 kilometres south of Lusaka. EVL will provide finance and specialist energy exploration.

The agreement would enable Albidon to concentrate on developing its nickel projects in Mazabuka while EVE will provide funding and expertise for specialist exploration of energy (uranium and coal).

Albidon has nickel projects in Botswana, Tanzania and Malawi. Energy Ventures is specialised in the exploration of uranium, coal and coal-bed methane projects in Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The energy prospects in Zambia were identified during the uranium exploration of the Kariba Valley in the 1970s and 1980s. The Kariba Valley is part of the great East African Rift Valley, at its southern tail end. And the serene Lake Kariba fills this valley. But Siavonga on its lakeshore is Zambia’s newest safari town.

Zambia Exhibits at UK Tourism Fair

On Monday November 14 several global tourism operators jetted into London. To what purpose? For a five-day world tourism exhibition fair. And Zambia safari did not miss this one! Under the auspices of the Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) several Zambian operators in tourism industry attended the London tourism fair involving global industry players.

The 2005 World Tourism Market exhibition targets the entire travelling industry and is held annually in London. It attracts an average of about 5,000 participants worldwide.

ZNTB public relations officer, Mbo Kamanga said the board marketed Zambia’s tourism products to the international market. Ms Kamanga said the board showcased the recently held celebrations that marked the 150th anniversary of Dr David Livingstone’s first sight of the Victoria Falls.

Players from Zambia included Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ), Zambian Airways, Proflight, Mfuwe Trails and Norman Carr Safaris.

Others were Voyagers, Ana Tree Lodge and Star of Africa, Chiawa Camp, Mulungushi Village, Chaminuka and Hotel Inter-Continental.

Zambian minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Kabinga Pande was head of delegation to the exhibition. As president of the Africa Travel Association (ATA) Pande received the 2005 World Tourism Award on behalf of the association.

Kamanga expressed appreciation for the support the private sector gave to the “Visit Zambia 2005 Campaign” which has so far increased international tourist arrivals by 41 per cent. Zambia safari go go!

Zambia Safari and the Airlines Partnership

Zambian Airways (ZA) and Airwaves Zambia (AZ) have done a deal. They have formed a partnership to increase their combined growth by 25 percent. On November 16, 2005 they will interlock.

What will happen?

The two airlines will start using combine flight schedules and the same price tickets. ZA managing director Don MacDonald announced the deal.

This strategic partnership will strengthen the domestic airline industry and the regional connections. ZA is strong on the regional connection and has offices in the major towns. But AZ’s strength is its good reputation with the international market and the strong links with lodges and parks. It is a safari airline!

So you safari in Zambia will easily connect from flights in the regional like a breeze. The country’s international airports at Mfuwe and Livingstone are within two popular tourist destinations of South Luangwa National Park Zambia's premier game park and the Victoria Falls in Livingstone. It will be Zambia safari at your doorstep.

Zambia Finds Gold

Snowden Consultants an Australian based firm has just confirmed a gold find in Zambia. It’s not a greenfield deposit because it was found near the old Dunrobin Gold Mine. Its reserve estimate is 281,000 ounces of gold. The gold deposit is located at Mumbwa a town 200 kilometres west of Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka.

Luiri Gold (LG) is a Zambian registered company that discovered the gold. LG managing director Mike Sperinck said the exploration drilling has indicated a resource of 2.9 million tonnes of ore grading 3.0 grammes per tonne.

However, nearby is the Matala deposit that is more exciting! The grade is higher at 10.0 grammes per tonne and covers an area one kilometer long. It extends beyond 180 metres below surface. The more exciting news is that the soil analysis shows an anomaly that extends over 10 kilometres!

LG is also interested in a robust Nambala iron deposit. To tie it in neatly LG has signed a confidentiality agreement with a joint venture partner to exploit the Nambala Iron deposit. The hematite (iron ore) mineralization is estimated at 200 million tonnes grading 57 percent iron. Nambala is Zambia’s largest iron deposit.

But then Mumbwa is exciting for another reason. It is the gateway to Zambia’s sprawling game reserve, the Kafue National Park. It is Zambia’s largest park and the second largest national park in the world. It’s about the size of Wales in Britain and twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the USA. Wow, it’s colossal!

Victoria Falls in Zambia Rediscovered

Ranulph Fiennes World famous British explorer is in Zambia, by courtesy of the British Airways (BA). Sir Ranulph Fiennes headed straight for Livingstone near the Victoria Falls to lead an expedition to retrace David Livingstone’s footsteps. Livingstone is the British famous missionary doctor and explorer who discovered the Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River on November 16, 1855.

Now Mwandi Village is famous for a reason. This is the place Livingstone crossed the Zambezi River up stream of the water cataract. Sir Ranulph chose Mwandi Village as the starting point of his expedition. The route is a celebration marking the 150 years anniversary of the discovery of Victoria Falls by Dr Livingstone.

Sir Ranulph’s is recognized by the Guinness Book of world records. The record is about his more than 30 expeditions he has undertaken to the North and South Poles, the Arabic Desert, the Nile and many remote places.

BA country commercial manager Nilanthi Manatunga said Sir Ranulph was accompanied by his wife and Simon Wilde, founder of the expedition. BA has sponsored the expedition.

What about the expedition? November 11 was the zero date. The explorer’s plans are to peddle down the Zambezi River by canoe and travel on foot making night stops in the bush on his way to Livingstone Island. The island was the point at which Livingstone came close to the Victoria Falls abyss.

“The walking section will take him round the impassable rapids, retracing Dr Livingstone’s original steps,” Manatunga said.

Back in 1855 Livingstone was inspired to write about the Victoria Falls, “…but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

And November 15 to 16 will be the centenary cerebration of Livingstone city and 150 years since the Victoria Falls was discovered. It’s the culmination of the year-long Visit Zambia 2005 campaign. Great celebrations are awaits Sir Ranulph’s party ... and two of Dr David Livingstone’s grand children who accepted an invitation to come to Zambia.

Zambian Woman is RETOSA Head

Tourism Council of Zambia (TCZ) executive director Josephine Mehl has scored a duet. She has become the first woman and the first Zambian to chair Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA). Mehl was elected at the RETOSA meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city from November 5 to 7, 2005.

RETOSA is a tourism organ of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). It markets and promotes both the national tourist organizations and the private sector in the southern Africa’s 14-nation body.

RETOSA (and SADC members) are Angola, Botswana, Congo D.R., Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia. Others are Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

But RETOSA does things a little differently from SADC. It allows individual member countries to attract tourists using competitive advantage. RETOSA assists countries to market individual tourism opportunities and uniqueness.

For example Malawi is dubbed the “warm heart of Africa” while Zambia remains uniquely “the real Africa”. But I like to think of Zambia safari as “Africa’s best kept secret” because of its relatively unknown safari gems. Africa’s friendly people and southern Africa adventure centre near the Victoria Falls.

US$10m Credit Line for Zambia

The Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) have signed a US$ 10 million credit line facility from Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). And DBSA has bought 10 per cent shares at US$ 670,000 to seat on DBZ board.
DBZ managing director, Bwalya N'gandu said the ten year credit line will support long term projects in various businesses in Zambia. This would contribute to the economy of the Zambia.

The credit line to DBZ was facilitated by Uni-Capital, a pan African financial advisor from Johannesburg, South Africa. Other shareholders DBSA has joined are Export-Import Bank (EIBI) of India, European Investment Bank (EIB) the Zambian government and its parastatals.

DBSA advisor and head of international finance, Solomon Asamoah said DBSA operation in the Southern African region has an investment of US$ 120 million in Zambia. And the economic areas the funds are invested in are energy, tourism (as safari), mining, telecommunication and financial sectors. But DBZ has spent a substantial chunk in Zambia safari enterprises.

Zambia; the Preferred Investment Destination

The mining industry and investor forum has described Zambia as a favourable investment destination. The forum was held in Sydney, New South Wales State in Australia. It attracted top Australian mining businesses. Over 350 delegates who attended the forum included Botswana and South Africa. Godfrey Simasiku Zambia's High Commissioner to Japan has confirmed.

Under the theme "Excellency in Exploration and Mining" the forum brought together top Australian mineral explorers, miners, financiers, service provides and investors. ANVIL Mining Limited currently prospecting in Mporokoso area of Zambia Troy Resources, Independence Group and Placer Dome attended the just ended forum.

Mr Simasiku said AIM Resources Limited of Sydney who are in the final stages of prospecting for copper and gold in the Mumbwa area of Zambia made a presentation to investors and financiers.

But what proof is there for the favourable investment destination status?

The World Bank (WB) says it all! They have “currently a commitment of US$555 million for 14 active projects in Zambia.” The WB further confirmed that “the origin of the legal system and business language is English; business formation is relatively easy; and contracts enforceability are considered better than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) averages."

And behold! Besides investments in mining ventures there are also many safari enterprises “popping” up in the Livingstone area near the world heritage site, the majestic Victoria Falls.

Lumwana, Greenfield Copper Mine in Zambia

Equinox Minerals an Australian mining house has just completed a feasibility study on a new deposit. The Lumwana copper project in Zambia is the only Greenfield mine in the last fifty years. The initial projections of production were 125,000 tonnes of copper metal per annum. Now Equinox Minerals plans are an increase of life-of-mine production to 150,000 tonnes. And production will go beyond 17 years.

Equinox Minerals chief executive officer and president Craig Williams recently announced that production of mine concentrate of 434,000 tonnes per annum will increase to 450,000 between the sixth and 17th year.

This will all be from a capital outlay of US$387 million. The expected run of mine cost will be below 70 cents per pound of copper metal. Included in the capital costs are pre-production mining and ancillary equipment, process plant and related infrastructure, tailings dam and water management, and general and administrative expenditures.

A New City and Safari

A new mining town is in the offing at Lumwana which is over 250 kilometres west of the Zambian Copperbelt. It will be the newest city, brand new and modern! And for safari adventures? Surface water from the designated mine area will be diverted into a large lake. It will host aquatic flora and fauna… fish and all. So great water sports and great fishing for the future miners and their relations. But for holidays they will head to Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, of course.