ZAMBIANS – WE ARE SLOWLY BECOMING SPECTATORS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY’S ECONOMY.
And the painful truth is that we are too busy fighting each other to notice what is happening around us.
We are divided by tribes, political parties, regions and personalities. We spend hours arguing about politicians, insulting each other on social media and celebrating the downfall of fellow Zambians.
Meanwhile, Indians, Lebanese, Chinese and other foreign investors are busy identifying opportunities, establishing businesses, acquiring assets and building wealth right here in Zambia.
They see business opportunities where we see political arguments.
Walk into our shopping malls, industrial areas, wholesale markets, construction sites and major commercial centres. Ask yourself one question: HOW MUCH OF THIS ECONOMY DO WE ACTUALLY OWN?
We have become a nation where too many people are more excited about who becomes President than who owns the factories, industries, supply chains and businesses that drive our economy.
We fight over tribes while others build business networks. We fight over politics while others build companies. We pull down successful Zambians while others support each other to grow.
AND THEN WE COMPLAIN THAT THERE ARE NO OPPORTUNITIES.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with foreigners investing in Zambia. They are taking advantage of legitimate opportunities, and many are creating jobs.But where is our own economic ambition?
A COUNTRY CAN BE POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT WHILE ITS CITIZENS REMAIN ECONOMICALLY DEPENDENT.
And unless we change how we think, collaborate, invest and support local enterprise, future generations may inherit a country in which they own very little.
ZAMBIA IS OUR COUNTRY. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REMAIN CUSTOMERS, EMPLOYEES AND SPECTATORS IN AN ECONOMY WE SHOULD ALSO BE BUILDING AND OWNING.
Less tribalism. Less political noise. Less jealousy.
MORE FACTORIES. MORE ZAMBIAN-OWNED BUSINESSES. MORE INVESTMENT. MORE ECONOMIC POWER.
Political arguments will not make us wealthy. Ownership, production, enterprise and collaboration will.
Emmanuel Mukula
Trainer. Facilitator. Speaker. Counsellor.