Kasempa District of Northwestern Province has stepped in a new phase of economic growth with the official launch of construction works for its inaugural shopping mall, a project Government has described as a historic catalyst for regional development.
The ground breaking ceremony of the Kamusongolwa shopping center symbolizes the commencement of a major commercial investment which will usher in a new era of job creation, economic growth, and inclusive development for the district.
In his keynote address Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga who graced the event, said the K50, million project will create 300 direct and indirect jobs in the first phase.
“The mall is expected to create over 150 permanent jobs in retail management, sales, logistics, security, and maintenance, providing stable careers and fostering skills development for the local workforce in the second phase of the project,” he said
“The development of the shopping mall will also lead to the establishment of a formal, high-value market for local goods and services. Anchor tenants, such as supermarkets, are expected to source fresh produce from local farmers, while other businesses will require services from local suppliers, thereby building a resilient supply chain and empowering entrepreneurs and small-scale producers.”
Mr. Mulenga said the development is aligned with the New Dawn Administration’s agenda to drive economic growth in both urban and rural communities as part of its efforts to decentralise development and ensure that all regions benefit from meaningful infrastructure investments.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba who is Kasempa member of parliament said the project is a bold statement of confidence in Kasempa’s potential and a powerful signal to investors that the district is ready for large-scale economic activity.
Ms. Tambatamba highlighted several achievements reshaping the district, among them improved road networks such as the completed 137.7 km Nyoka road, therecent groundbreaking of the Mutanda–Kasempa–Kaoma Roadofficiated by President Hakainde Hichilema
“These developments send one clear message, development in Kasempa is no longer a promise it is a reality unfolding before our eyes,”she said.
Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Elias Mubanga said there is need to stimulate complementary enterprises that can supply essential goods and services to the expanding workforce.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gift Sialubalo emphasized on the effective utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to improve living standards across the constituency by driving community-led development and strengthening essential services.
Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba said generating interest in sustained tourism growth demands an environment that encourages tourists to stay longer, spend more, and explore the area fully.
“This is where infrastructure development becomes essential. A modern shopping mall or commercial hub, provides visitors with familiar and reliable touchpoints through established supermarket chains, giving them confidence in product quality and availability,”he said.
And Board chairperson of the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board, Emmanuel Mbambiko said the investment goes beyond responding to Kasempa’s promising economic trajectory, marked by a growing population and expanding mining, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
He said the investment stands as a clear demonstration of the Board’s commitment to heeding Government’s call to deliver meaningful development in every part of the country.
The construction of Kasempa’s first-ever shopping mall marks a historic achievement for both the district and the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB), which has added the project to its growing investment portfolio. The mall represents a strategic shift toward long-term, sustainable investments that not only secure value for the Fund’s members but also drive national development.
