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Zambian youth turns waste into cash cow

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WHILE some graduates are still pacing corridors of government offices clutching brown envelopes in search of jobs, 26 year old Enock Mwewa is somewhere in Lusaka collecting trash and cash.
This environmental technologist who completed his tertiary education from Evelyn Hone College in 2021 didn’t wait for a desk in some ministry.
Instead, he opted to create his own office in the streets of Lusaka, one armed with gloves, grit and a green vision.
Enock together with his team collects paper waste and other waste materials and turns them into toilet paper, carpets and other items such as duvets.
Enock with his friend Edgar Muwowo happen to have co founded Environment Savers of Zambia, a social enterprise that is not just sweeping waste off the streets but also sweeping minds clean of the idea that success only comes in a suit and tie.
In an interview with Kalemba, Enock tells how it all started.
He said back in his first year at Evelyn Hone College, he noticed just how much waste paper the institution generated.
And so rather than watch it pile up or get burnt, he rallied his friends and began collecting it.
“We identified the need to help the school manage its waste more efficiently with my friend. We started educating students about waste management. We also used to have school clean ups in the morning and afternoon everyday,” he shared.
Their clean-up campaign caught the attention of a lecturer who connected them to a recycling company and that was the ignition spark.
Today, that same initiative has grown into a full-fledged recycling operation.
Environment Savers of Zambia collects waste paper from schools, offices and communities around Lusaka for free and gives it a new life by making toilet paper, carpets, duvets and other items.
From old exam papers to toilet tissue, from used cardboard to egg trays, from rejected application letters to toilet paper and literally from trash to cash.
“We started in 2019 but when COVID hit, we had to pause everything. We only resumed in 2023,” shared Enock.
He explained that they outsource machines to turn recovered paper into tissue, cardboard into egg trays and other items.
He shared that their operation is based at Kalingalinga Mall but their impact is all over Lusaka.
As if that’s not impressive enough, the young changemakers are also helping companies calculate their carbon footprints by showing businesses just how much they contribute to pollution and how to reduce it.
Despite completing his diploma programme in 2021, Enock has never applied to the civil service because he has already employed himself and others.
“We want to sustain ourselves while creating positive social impact,” said the passionate recycler who believes one day his company will be one of the biggest recycling firms in Southern Africa.
While others chase white-collar jobs, Enock and his colleague Edgar are chasing waste and turning it into something worth keeping, talk about using passion and the knowledge given in school.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, April 24, 2025
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The Court of Appeal has dismissed an application by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc, seeking to halt further execution and sale of its seized assets […]
THE Ministry of Labour and Social Security has launched a new digital plan that will make it easier for people to access government services online. […]

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ZMA to launch bi-annual verification of fuel pumps and meters

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The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) is set to commence its first bi-annual statutory verification exercise of 2026, targeting all measuring instruments within the petroleum sub-sector to ensure trade accuracy and consumer protection.
The announcement follows a high-level virtual preparatory meeting held yesterday, chaired by ZMA Director for Legal Metrology, engineer Michael Nsefu.
The meeting brought together key industry stakeholders, including Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), technical service providers, and ZMA metrologists to coordinate the upcoming nationwide inspections.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr Eng Nsefu stated that the Agency was ready to commence the exercise and called on all stakeholders to fully cooperate to ensure its successful implementation.
The exercise, mandated under the Metrology Act No. 6 of 2017, requires the mandatory testing of fuel dispensers and bulk flow meters twice a year.
“The Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) today held a virtual preparatory meeting ahead of the kick-off of the bi-annual verification exercise of all measuring instruments used in the petroleum sub-sector. These instruments include bulk flow meters and fuel dispensers,” the agency wrote.
“The verification exercise is conducted twice a year to ensure that all measuring instruments used in the petroleum industry are accurate and compliant. This helps prevent over-dispensing or under-dispensing of petroleum products, thereby protecting both consumers and businesses.”
Upon successful verification, a ZMA verification sticker indicating the validity period is affixed to each instrument.
The agency stated that this sticker serves as official confirmation that the instrument has been verified and meets the required accuracy standards within the stated validity period.
Kalemba January 7, 2025
GOVERNMENT has injected K22.9 billion into the economy in June, with a significant portion dedicated to debt servicing and public sector salaries, as it continues […]
PRIVATELY-owned television station, Prime TV has found itself in hot legal soup that was distastefully boiled by the lies of Professor Nkandu Luo, a high-ranking […]
ENERGY minister Makozo Chikote has refuted claims that Zesco is either selling power to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or engaging in third party […]

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CEC upbeat of maintaining high share price

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THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc says it expects its share price on the Lusaka Securities Exchange (LuSE) to remain high in view of continued efforts to scale up investments in the renewable sector, among other factors.
Market data availed by the LuSE revealed that the power utility’s share price soared to K25.96 per share by September 1, 2025, compared to K13.50 per share 12 months prior, representing nearly 100% increment.
However, CEC’s share price declined slightly by the end of 2025, ending last year trading at K19.28 per share, the lowest since June 9, 2025.
CEC posted increased Profit After Tax (PAT) of US $61.5 million in its half-year period ending June 30, 2025, up from US $43.2 million in the prior period, driven by strong performance in all its business segments.
The improved financial performance was mainly driven by strong performance in all its business segments, including local, regional power sales and wheeling.
Increased PAT was also boosted by higher gross revenues of US $360 million in the half-year period ending June 30, 2025, as well as a write-back of US $10.4 million, a portion of the Konkola Copper Mines’ Plc impaired amount.
This represents the third successive half-year where the power utility recorded sustained growth in PAT after it posted profits of around US $30 million, US $113 million and US $43.2 million in the half-year periods of 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Commenting on the share price performance, CEC Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr. Mutale Mukuka, expressed confidence that the company would maintain a high share price on the local bourse on account of its continued investments across its business segments.
“We want to believe that the key takeaway is that the market buys into the strategy that the business is following. Some of the risks that we had on our balance sheet are slowly being addressed: the impaired debt has been written back; the investments in the renewable subsector has also contributed [to a high share price]. We also have very specific investments in transmission, as well our prominence in the regional SAPP [Southern African Power Pool] – whether it’s trade, investments and partnerships – which are all filtering through what we see are the earnings,” Mr. Mukuka said in an interview.
“But I don’t think we can overlook some of the soft areas. The quality of the reporting has also played a role: we have moved from annual reporting into integrated reporting. We are now embedding other things, such as the IRFS 1 and S2, which allows us to have an integrated report where we comment on non-financial issues, risks and the governance more openly. We think that all of that go a long way in investors’ assessment of the risks and opportunity that lie ahead of the business. So, this is something that we think we need to continue to do, and hopefully, the market can continue to look at us positively.”
Data from the company’s share chart shows that its share price peaked to an all-time high of K25.96 per share by September 1, last year, since going public on the local bourse back in January, 2008, opening at K0.45 per share.
Over the last two years, the CEC Green Bond successfully raised US $150 million for the development of 230MW of solar power.
At company-level, CEC has been consistent in rewarding dividends to its shareholders, a development that has positively impacted on investor sentiment in the company.
The Kitwe-based power utility is widely expected to declare a dividend to its shareholders, collectively 10,816 in total, in view of its consistently strong financial performance in recent years.
Kalemba January 6, 2026
THE Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has revealed how two employees of a government institution allegedly stole over K20 million meant for public use by diverting […]
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has revealed that he is personally financing the master’s degrees for his two youngest sons through the sale of cattle, aiming to […]
BORN identical in body but carrying different dreams, Kitwe-based twins Esau and Jacob Valende have walked the same path from a humble childhood in Kamatipa […]

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ZAMBEEF slashes prices as Government urges firms to pass economic gains to consumers

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GOVERNMENT says the reduction of prices on selected products by ZAMBEEF must be emulated by other companies to ease the cost of living for Zambians.
The price cuts come against the backdrop of a stabilising exchange rate, easing inflation and lower commodity prices, which the company says have created room to pass on savings to consumers.
Commerce, Trade and Industry minister Chipoka Mulenga has praised ZAMBEEF for taking the lead, saying the move demonstrates how Government reforms are beginning to yield tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
The reductions include a 10 percent cut on Zamshu leather shoes, a three to five percent reduction on poultry and chicken feed and a five percent cut on day-old chicks, with the latter two set to take effect tomorrow.
Speaking during the announcement, Mulenga challenged other companies to follow ZAMBEEF’s example by translating improved macroeconomic conditions into lower prices for consumers, particularly as the country heads into the new year.
“Today’s announcement shows what can be achieved when government and the private sector work together,” Mulenga said.
The Minister described the price cuts as timely, noting that inflation has dropped to about 10.5 percent and the exchange rate has stabilised, signs that Government interventions are beginning to pay off.
He said the reductions will particularly benefit parents preparing for the school year and families planning festivities such as Valentine’s Day, adding that the move supports rural livelihoods and value addition.
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary in charge of Commerce and Trade, Lillian Bwalya, said the growing collaboration between Government and the private sector is bearing fruit, with increased investment flowing into the manufacturing sector.
She said Government remains committed to improving the business environment and supporting private sector initiatives aimed at promoting value addition, economic growth and national development.
Announcing the price cuts, ZAMBEEF Products PLC chief executive officer Faith Mukutu said the decision was driven by the company’s desire to pass economic benefits to consumers while supporting market growth and cost optimisation.
Mukutu said ZAMBEEF will continue to engage Government and trade associations to promote sustainable socio-economic growth, adding that the company is awaiting further policy clarity on Statutory Instrument No. 110 before reviewing prices of synthetic shoes.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers president Muhammed Umar described ZAMBEEF’s move as a clear sign of progress in the manufacturing sector, made possible by improved macroeconomic fundamentals such as stable fuel prices and a more reliable power supply.
Umar urged other manufacturers to review their cost structures and consider price adjustments that support consumer welfare while ensuring business sustainability.
Meanwhile, Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting chief executive officer Emmanuel Mumba said 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Zambia’s economy, marked by exchange rate stability, easing inflation and increased private sector investment, especially in the energy sector.
Mumba said the positive trends signal renewed confidence in Zambia’s economic prospects and reflect the impact of sound policy decisions and reforms, adding that ZACCI remains ready to support Government efforts to enhance the business environment, promote value addition and strengthen local enterprise participation.
This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s principal public relations officer Everness Nankala.
By George Musonda
Kalemba December 31, 2025
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ZESCO has announced that residential areas will now receive only five hours of electricity per day, following an emergency shutdown of a generator at Maamba […]

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