The Government of Zimbabwe is working on the creation of a water and waste water regulator which will ultimately result in the commercialization of the current Zimbabwe National Water Authority

The need for a regulator came after the realization that ZINWA was acting as both “player and referee” in the water sector while at the same time there were clashes over mandate with other regulatory authorities such as the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the Environmental Management Authority.

According to a Needs Assessment and Business Opportunities Report commissioned  by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, this will enable ZINWA to improve performance, become financially sustainable and meet new legislative requirements.

Reuters reports that Zambia’s copper production inched higher to 711,515 tons in 2015 from 708,000 tons the previous year mainly due to a new mine owned by Canada’s First Quantum Minerals, the Chamber of Mines said on Friday.

An electricity shortage and weaker copper prices due to slower growth by top consumer China have piling pressure on Zambia’s mining industry, threatening output, jobs and economic growth in the southern African nation, and put its currency on the back foot against the dollar.

Zambia’s policy flip-flops on royalty taxes during the year also  caused concern among mining firms, forcing them to suspended major capital investment in mines or new projects.

However, a government spokesman said in December Zambia would introduce a variable tax on mineral royalties that will be adjusted according to metal prices.

 

 

ZIMBABWE’S persistent deflationary environment is seen forcing Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya to take an inflation-oriented stance in his monetary policy statement that is due early this year.

Leading UK based research unit NKC African Economics (NKC) said the country has no choice but to tackle deflation given that it is detrimental to productive sectors of the economy, consequently reducing economic growth.

John Aglionby in Nairobi
The Kenyan government plans to cut spending by 1 per cent of gross domestic product in the next six months as it seeks to rein in its ballooning budget deficit and create “buffers” to counter emerging market turbulence.

Kenya’s decision to cut its budget mirrors that of South Africa, which is also trying to reduce public sector spending. Ghana, with help from the International Monetary Fund, is seeking to reduce its budget deficit.

In contrast, Nigeria has decided to increase spending in a bid to boost growth while leaders in Uganda and Zambia, which both face elections this year, are also lifting government spending.

According to the latest statistics (2009-2015) from the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, Mauritius is the largest source of investment flows accounting for $4,56 billion, China is the second largest source country at $2,81 billion with the most significant amount of $1,09 billion coming through in 2011, while the British Virgin Islands is on sixth at $760,54 million.

According to the figures, $400 million will be invested in the energy sector, manufacturing $500 million and $300 million in the mining sector.

Total investment approved amounted to $3,16 billion from 170 projects. The projects are forecast to create 13 377 jobs and about $30 million in export earnings.