The deal includes the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of Japan-based NEC’s microwave transmission network equipment. The investment will improve Zamtel’s network infrastructure by modernising its digital microwave transmission backbone – which will help support Long Term Evolution (LTE) roll out. The project will be completed within 12
months.

Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) launched the “loan-a-cow” scheme – the first of its kind in Zambia. Through the scheme, smallholder farmers will be able to acquire cow-loans at an interest rate of 16 percent from ZANACO through their respective cooperatives. The farmer then services the loan through revenues from milk produced from his/her cow which is purchased by milk processors Parmalat/Zam Milk. The processor pays a percentage of the full amount they are supposed to pay the farmer to ZANACO i.e. interest payment. If a farmer can consistently produce 30 litres of milk per day, the loan can be repaid in 3 years.

Inspectors from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) are in town from the 9th to the 15th of August in order to assess Zambia’s bid to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2019. The inspectors will be visiting various stadia, training facilities and accommodations in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Chililabombwe and Livingstone. Zambia is one of five bidders looking to bring home the 2019 AFCON - Guinea, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Cameroon (DRC withdrew their bid). The CAF executive will decide on the hosts for 2019 as well as 2021 in September 2014 at a meeting in Cairo.