Minister of Transport and Logistics, Hon. Charles Milupi, has pledged his Ministry’s full support to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) after receiving a brief on the Corporation’s operations from IDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Cornwell Muleya.
During a courtesy call on the Minister earlier today, Mr Muleya said IDC was working to strengthen Zambia Airways through a review of its partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, and was awaiting submissions from its partners on a long-term programme. He added that Zamcargo had performed well over the past two years and was developing facilities at Namibian ports, exploring opportunities at the Port of Nacala in Mozambique and planning a logistics hub at Kapiri Mposhi.
Mr Muleya described Zambia Railways as a heavy responsibility requiring a long-term solution, noting that rail would remain Zambia’s lifeline “long after we have taken out all the copper.”
He also outlined IDC’s industrialisation projects, including a refinery expected to begin production in January 2028, minerals trading and gold aggregation through Industrial Resources Limited, and the Chanyanya fish farm in Kafue, which is projected to produce 30,000 metric tonnes of fish a month by June next year.
In response, Hon. Milupi said Zambia Railways required more urgent intervention, noting that a line from the Copperbelt to Livingstone averaging 20 km/h was not what it should be. He called for a complete overhaul of the network to link the Lobito and TAZARA corridors and to extend the line to Livingstone and Kazungula, in step with Botswana’s Trans-Kalahari project.
On Zambia Airways, the Minister said the country could not have a thriving tourism industry without a well-performing national airline, adding that the partnership agreement with Ethiopian Airlines must be strengthened to create a win-win situation for both parties.
He said the Ministry would also work with IDC on Zamcargo and Mpulungu Harbour, which would link Zambia to Burundi, now categorised as the country’s ninth neighbour, and to the wider East African region.
Hon. Milupi further called for a change of mindset in parastatals towards profitability and efficiency. He said companies under IDC exist to perform, and that government expects each of them to contribute to the Treasury through dividends while providing services and creating jobs.
The Minister pledged to work with IDC to advance the Grow Zambia Agenda, noting that the economy had grown from US$18.5 billion in 2021 to at least US$41 billion, and that the President aims to double it to US$80 billion within the next five years.
He described the Ministry of Transport and Logistics as the cog that supports every sector of the economy, and requested regular briefs from IDC so that its projects are well understood when they are presented to Cabinet.
“You have our total support in what you are doing,” Hon. Milupi said.
