Tag Archive for: Zambia

Saudika Hendricks
,

Zambia – Travel Guide

Facts to assist you while travelling to Zambia.

 

Zambian population

  • 5 million.

Capital and Largest City

  • Lusaka.

Official Language(s)

  • English.

Currency

  • Zambian kwacha.

Office Hours

  • 08:00 – 17:00.

Weekend

  • Saturday – Sunday.

Time Zone

  • UTC +2.

Calling Code

  • +260.

Tipping

  • If a service charge is not included in the bill a tip of 10% is acceptable.

Embassies

  • Most countries are represented by embassies or consulates located in the capital city.

Government

  • Hakainde Hichilema is a Zambian businessman, farmer, and politician who is the seventh and current president of Zambia.

Climate

  • The climate of Zambia in Central and Southern Africa is tropical but modified by altitude (elevation). In the Köppen climate classification, most of the country is classified as humid-subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small patches of semi-arid climate in the south-west. There are two main seasons, the rainy season lasts from November until April and occurs during summer, while the dry season lasts from May until October and occurs during winter.

Transport

  • The main airport in Zambia is the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, located in Lusaka. Zambia has rail links with the DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Zambia also has many navigable rivers, lakes, and channels through swamps, which together reach a large proportion of the rural population. The country has 88 airports, eight of which have paved runways.

Economy

  • The main industries in Zambia that contributes to its GDP include agriculture, copper mining, manufacturing, fisheries and livestock, energy, electricity, tourism, media, and finance and banking.

Hospitality

  • Zambian’s traditionally serve a local dish called nshima at gatherings and have a standard set of etiquettes revolving around how nshima should be eaten. Nshima with ndiwo is the most important meal in Zambian culture. It holds significance in the traditional culture of the people as it is often shared alongside expressions, tales of hospitality and wisdom and folk tales. It is considered a sign of disrespect to serve left over nshima to an adult, as elders are typically shown more respect in the culture. Be careful not to over-indulge as Zambians believe that leaving some food behind on your plate indicates that you have been satisfied.

Greetings

  • Greetings always start with a handshake and a polite, “How are you?”. This is frequently followed by questions about the wellbeing of your family, or the conditions of your journey.

Money

  • The Kwacha (code: ZMW) is the currency of Zambia. The name kwacha is derived from the Nyanja, Bemba, and Tonga word for “dawn”. Its meaning alludes to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a “new dawn of freedom”. The name ngwee translates as “bright” in the Nyanja language.

Transportation

  • Zambia has over 91 000km of roads divided into trunk roads, main roads, and district roads, which connects rural areas to other trunk and main roads. Most trunk and main roads are paved while district roads can sometimes be partially paved or may even be gravel and dirt. The condition of these roads get worse during the rainy season. All trunk roads are tolled with toll gates being administered by the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) and Road Development Agency (RDA). When travelling to Zambia, it is important that you remember to take this into consideration as you plan your budget.

Safety

  • Although Zambia is one of the safer countries in Africa, visitors are still advised to take whichever precautions they feel necessary. Mostly petty crimes occur, such as bag snatching and theft from parked cars. It is best to always keep your bags and other valuables secure and close to you. When traveling by car, keep the doors locked and the windows up at all times. Valuables should be kept out of sight as thieves may target travelers at transport hubs, crowded market areas and shopping precincts.

Culture

  • Zambian culture traditionally separated the roles of men and women. However, this practice is much less common in recent years, especially in the urban areas. In rural areas, women in are generally assigned the household tasks, children care, and work in the fields. Men are expected to do the fishing, hunting, and livestock management, as well as the family’s financial planning. Christianity is the religion of the majority of Zambians, and this is reflected in the contemporary culture of the citizens. Weddings and other important events are mostly in the traditional Christian style but often incorporates elements of indigenous customs and rituals.

Shops

  • Zambia has a number of modern shopping centres and malls that resemble those found in western countries. Shopping in this country should be hassle free, especially in the capital city and other urban areas. There are also a multitude of online stores for the convenience of all shoppers.

 

 

 

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Andrew Stegmann
,

Zambia Travel and Flight Restrictions

Lynn Mackenzie, J.D., LLM
Courtesy of Marian Chembeya

As per the updated travel advisory, Zambia has currently undertaken measures related to aviation travel. Here are the main points.

(a) All scheduled and non-scheduled international flights to all Airports are open.

(b) The following procedures at LUN and NLA airports will apply:

All passengers coming from international flights terminating at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA )  are encouraged/  recommended  to present a certificate, of having tested  negative  from COVID-19  dated less than four (04 days,  from the date of the test ) from the designated laboratories authorized by Health Authority of the countries. This is enforcement since 0000 hrs. of 20 July, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.

Transit persons on board except crew shall not be permitted to disembark without authorization; crewmembers may disembark but shall undergo strict mandatory quarantine under the supervision of the health authorities during their rotation/rest periods.

Non-essential travel is not encouraged, as visas will not be issued upon arrival at FLKK (Kenneth Kaunda International Airport) for tourist and visitors. Lusaka office needs to be requested for Ok to Board clearance for any travelers appealing that they will get visa upon arrival.

Alien residents / Incoming passengers ( Non-Zambian ) will not be allowed to arrive in Zambia planning to cross borders via surface transport  to the neighboring countries like  Malawi , Congo, Botswana, Angola  and South Africa  without a written clearance from the Zambian Department of immigration and Ministry of Health  and a certificate, of having tested  negative  from COVID-19  dated less than four (04 days,  from the date of the test )

All persons holding Tourist visas will not be allowed entry in Zambia until further notice without a written clearance from the Department of immigration and a certificate, of having tested negative from COVID-19 dated less than four (04 days, from the date of the test)

All persons holding Business visas must have written clearance from the Zambian Department of immigration and Ministry of Health stating the importance of their business in Zambia before they arrive.

Spouses/children or any other relatives of permit/residence card holders but not included in the residence cards/permits are not allowed entry in Zambia unless with special clearance in writing from the Zambian Department of immigration.

All tourist and business visas, which were approved before 25 MAR, 20 are revoked and remain null and void.

Effective Date: The measures described herein are effective from 20th July 2020, until the revocation of this AIC, subject to a risk assessment and review.”

The content of this article is provided for general information purposes. The provision of this article does not constitute legal advice or opinion of any kind; no advisory or fiduciary relationship is created between Relocation Africa and any other person accessing or using this article . Relocation Africa will not be liable for any damages or loss arising from using any part of this article .

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

Relocation Africa Zambia Immigration Interview With Marian Chembeya

Lynn Mackenzie, our Immigration Lead, recently had the privilege of interviewing Marian Chembeya, from Corpus Globe Corporate Solutions, about Zambia’s immigration landscape.

To listen to Lynn and Marian’s conversation about immigration in the current context, click here to view the recording, or view it below.

https://youtu.be/qaBG-vXH8XM

Marian’s bio

Marian Chembeya has a diploma in law from the National Institute of Public Administration and is currently pursuing her degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from UNISA. She also has a diploma in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

Marian joined Corpus in October 2013 as a legal clerk, and in 2014 she started focusing more on immigration cases that were coming to the firm, and started developing an interest in immigration law. With daily visits to the Immigration Department and reading up Immigration Law, Marian developed the skill and craft of immigration law, and made it her primary focus.

In 2018, she rose to the position of Head of Immigration, and now oversees Corpus’ Immigration Department. Her knowledge in immigration has been self-taught using determination and a passion for what she does.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Marian for her insights. We hope you enjoy the recording.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

Zambian Farmers Gain Access to Digital Banking with AgriPay

Zambia has over two million smallholder farmers and a rural population of about 9.7 million people, with approximately 40% of them being financially excluded

The average rural farmer in Zambia lives several kilometres away from their nearest neighbour and even further away from the nearest settlement where shops, agro-dealers and other services, such as agency banking and mobile money booths, would be located. Because the farmers live in remote locations making payments, sending and receiving money are activities not done at their convenience.

Zambia has over two million smallholder farmers and a rural population of about 9.7 million people, with approximately 40% of them being financially excluded. These rural people do not have adequate access to financial infrastructure and services. Not being able to make payments for supplies, receive digital payments or send money as needed means farmers’ productivity is limited. Subsequently, they cannot plan their next growing season, are unable to manage the shocks they may experience and cannot reach their potential. Therefore, providing smallholder farmers with the services they need to improve their productivity has a ripple effect on their livelihoods and the rural community.

Zanaco Bank recognised that smallholder farmers are an important segment of Zambia’s economy, and partnered with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Agrifin Accelerate (AFA)/Mercy Corps to develop and test the go-to-market strategy for an account that offers farmers services to transact, save, send and receive money. Zanaco will also add features such as agronomic information and financial literacya to help the farmers become more productive, be financially included and better participate in the Zambian economy.

How was AgriPay brought to market?

To bring the account – called AgriPay – to market, the partners undertook several activities. The first was a research conducted by AFA to understand precisely what the farmers needed and what their specific financial challenges were. This research informed the human-centred design process of product development undertaken by Zanaco.

Once a product was available, strategies were designed to bring the product to the rural market. This strategy involved applying the Booster Team model – a concept adapted from UNCDF’s work in Uganda with a coffee value chain. UNCDF championed the use of the Booster Team to onboard agents that would enhance last-mile service delivery and build a strong ecosystem around the use of the AgriPay account. In addition, the Booster Team onboarded smallholder farmers. Zanaco, AFA and UNCDF also analysed what other factors would influence the success of AgriPay. 

One factor identified was collaborating with other players in the value chain that could provide linkages to agribusinesses. These linkages to agribusinesses turns shops or agribusiness locations into agents offering the banking services to smallholder farmers. These partners also leverage their network to onboard customers who could benefit from the services offered by the AgriPay account. By the end of the pilot, 50% of the Xpress Agents onboarded were a result of the partnership with Musika (a non-profit organisation that aims to support private sector development in small-scale agriculture) and 60% of the activated farmers accounts were members of the Cotton Association of Zambia.

The bank piloted the product in six provinces. The Booster Teams, comprising 15 – 20 youths, received adequate training in sales and product knowledge, and approached potential customers with a product they could demonstrate.

Who opened AgriPay accounts?

In May 2019, Zanaco and UNCDF deployed the Booster Team to undertake their sensitisation and on-boarding activities, beginning in Central and Lusaka Provinces, continuing to Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, and Southern. Each Booster Team answered smallholder farmers’ questions or concerns in a timely manner. This first-tier support increased the customers’ confidence and comfort levels with the new account. Using the Booster Team enabled 307 Xpress agents to become part of the AgriPay ecosystem.

By September 2019, 3030 customers, 53% female and 31% youth, had been onboarded onto AgriPay, and farmers were pleased with the introduction of the account designed with their specific needs in mind.

Brillian Handondo, a farmer in Southern Province said, “This account has really helped me. Once I receive money, I’m able to easily transact, such as sending money to my child in college.” This simple transaction was not something she could do easily before.

What were the critical factors for AgriPay’s success?

The learnings gained from piloting AgriPay helped in scaling the product. One area of success was pre-sensitisation activities. This critical component was done through partners such as the Cotton Association of Zambia, Vitalite Zambia and the Dairy Association of Zambia and helped to build trust in the product. The partnerships with the various farmers’ associations, non-profit organisations, and other implementing partners meant these organisations could approach farmers as ‘ambassadors.’

These organisations leveraged their strengths to become agents or reach potential customers, for example, Cotton Association savings groups and Vitalite traders became agents for AgriPay.

These relationships were also a key driver to the Booster Team’s success. Having organisations facilitate these partnerships elevates the product because of the inherent trust agribusinesses and customers have in the partner or the agribusinesses they are used to working with. This is an immeasurable success factor for AgriPay.

To successfully scale AgriPay to other parts of Zambia, the sales team has to gain a better understanding of the culture of the communities. Conducting sensitisation activities requires that farmers are available and involves learning the type of farming conducted in the community and planning around the schedule farmers follow.

To improve rollout, the bank might consider using roving agents in some areas who could better reach farmers rather than agents using fixed locations like shops or booths.

The AgriPay pilot achieved what it aimed to do – increase access and usage of digital financial services by underserved segments of the population. AgriPay is also successful because it provides a platform to increase farmers’ financial inclusion, and the account also allows digital expansion for the smallholder farmer and the community in which they live. Schools, hospitals, district or provincial offices can leverage the digital platform to carry out other activities in the community. This digital ecosystem of services greatly improves life in these rural communities and farmers can become more active in the economy.

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], Megan Thomas [2].