Month: May 2025

Ms. Tambatamba indicated that in order to improve productivity, Government is focused on

placing human capital development at the heart of the national economic transformation agenda.

The Minister was speaking in Lusaka when she relaunched the Zambia-Japan Management and Technical Association (ZAJAMTA) alongside its 2025–2027 Strategic Plan.

The strategic plan is anchored on three pillars: Human Capital, Financial Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement.

Ms. Tambatamba said productivity ought to be measured with work output and not only the hours they put in.

She described the relaunch of ZAJAMTA as Government’s commitment to promoting productivity, skills development, through the National Productivity Development Department under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Kaizen Institute through strategic partnerships.

“The newly developed strategic plan aligns well with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and the New Dawn Government’s vision of positioning human capital development at the centre of our economic transformation agenda,” she said.

The Minister further urged the ZAJAMTA leadership to implement the plan with focus, integrity, and determination in order to gain meaningful national impact.

Japan’s Ambassador to Zambia, His Excellency Takeuchi Kazuyuki, echoed this vision, emphasising Japan’s own post-war success through a focus on human resource development.

He cited Japanese practices such as lifetime employment, continuous employee education, and KAIZEN continuous improvement as key drivers of Japan’s economic growth.

“Japan developed through a system where everyone can continuously grow. It is noteworthy that ZAJAMTA believes these experiences can be applied to Zambia,” Ambassador Takeuchi said.

He indicated that the relaunch of ZAJAMTA and its strategic plan marks a major milestone in strengthening Zambia-Japan ties, promoting economic growth, and fostering practical learning and collaboration.

“As ZAJAMTA resumes its activities after the disruptions of COVID-19, I hope this strategic plan will accelerate its programmes, including the initiative to double the number of Zambian participants in training programs in Japan,”said Ambassador Takeuchi.

Association for Overseas Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Partnership (AOTS) president, Yoshida Yasuhiko said Japan will sponsor Zambia’s economic growth through infrastructure development, in accordance with the Eight National Development Plan (8NDP).

And ZAJAMTA President, Mr. Shipango Muteto highlighted the Association’s historic role in facilitating skills transfer and professional growth.

He said since its establishment in 1979, the organisation has sent over 500 Zambian professionals to Japan for training and hosted more than 300 trainees through expert dispatch programs locally.

Mr. Muteto further announced the establishment of the Kenshu center which is a training and management hub, to foster innovation in management and technology under the new strategic plan.

“Human capital is critical to this country. Development can be reached if human resource is engaged to promote productivity,”he said.

The European Union is securing sustainable investment in, energy, infrastructure, education, and health through the global gateway strategy to  boost inclusive growth.

On May 9, 2025, the European Union and Zambia commemorated the 50th anniversary of EU-Zambia partnership to reinforce developmental collaboration and partnership dialogue.

In her remarks, EU ambassador to Zambia, Karolina Stasiak said to narrow the investment gap in Zambia, EU will boost the country’s sustainable energy future through the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam with the recent investment being in the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector, which will enhance regional power trade.

Her Excellency Stasiak said the EU is also devoted to support the buildup of the Lobito corridor, which will unlock Zambians potential as a land-linked country and stimulate economic growth on the Copperbelt and North-western provinces by increasing demand in Zambian goods.

She pronounced that the EU is building deliberate partnership to promote sustainable and responsible mining and value addition for job creation to the benefit of the community.

Other finances will be allocated to the green transition through the EU-Zambia Forest partnership, which aims to eradicate deforestation, promote sustainable forest management and develop economic activity around forests.

Her excellency Stasiak reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to invest in political dialogue and mutually beneficial relations.

“We commend Zambia’s principled stance for peace in Ukraine as a clear example of its commitment to international law, sovereignty, and dialogue in resolving this and other conflicts,” she said.

“We need to strengthen our efforts to reinforce democracy and forces with countries like Zambia to show case a powerful, positive example of regional engagement towards peace and stability and a track record of peaceful, free, and fair elections. We stand ready to support Zambia as it continues its democratic journey towards the 2026 general elections.”

Officiating at the event Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP) commended the European Union for its continued support as the country strive to achieve its developmental priorities under the Eighth National Development Plan which encompasses economic transformation and job creation, human and social development including environmental sustainability and good governance.

She said the strong economic relationship between created between Zambia and the European Union creates contingency for trade expansion, industrial growth, and job creation.

Ms. Tambatamba mentioned that Zambia is building resilience in the wake of climate change, which threatens the environment and economic gains.

“We are grateful to the EU for choosing Zambia as a key partner in piloting the green nexus program, which is a model for green growth that brings together communities, the Government, the private sector and international cooperating partners,” she said.

“We commend the EU for its continued support through the Global Gateway strategy, under which over €600 million in grants has been committed to Zambia for the period 2021-2027. The investments are already transforming our energy systems, critical infrastructure, education sector and access to justice.”

Ms. Tambatamba restated Government’s commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the European Union which have contributed to Zambia’s development agenda.

The event concluded with the Minister proposing a toast to continued warm relations between Zambia and the European Union.

Issued By:

(Original Copy Signed)

Mwaka Ndawa (MS)

Principal Public Relations Officer

Ministry of Labour and Social Security