Economist Zulu reacts to claims only six mining firms paying taxes, suggests way forward

Economist Emmanuel Zulu has called for the harmonisation of government mining policies with those of foreign investors to ensure a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Zulu stressed the urgency of aligning these policies, citing concerns that Zambia was not fully benefiting from its mining sector.

He pointed to Zambia Revenue Authority reports indicating that only six foreign mining companies were currently paying taxes.

“There is a need to align the policies to ensure they are effective for the Zambian economy going forward,” Zulu said in an interview on Thursday.

He also emphasized the importance of engaging with international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, to compel mining companies to contribute more significantly to the Zambian economy.

Zulu noted that despite repeated advice from the private sector, the government had yet to address these concerns.

However, he expressed optimism that Zambia’s current engagement with the IMF could facilitate the necessary policy adjustments, given the IMF’s commitment to supporting the country’s economic recovery.

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