Kwacha, copper, debt restructuring, and growth pathway
Zambia
Zambia commissions UCF’s 85 MW plant as ZMW=X holds near 22.6 and HG=F trades around $4.10/lb; ≈45 MW grid dispatch plus captive supply cuts outage risk, supporting eurobond spread compression if operational uptime and payments remain disciplined.
Zambia
Zambia’s pharma push targets import substitution as Brent (BZ=F) holds near USD 85 and EMB tightens; USD 80m annual FX savings, 7.5% inflation, and non-copper exports up 0.5–1.0% of GDP would confirm execution through 2026.
Zambia
Zambia’s presumptive approvals speed energy investment as Eurobond yields (ZAM10Y) hover near 9.8% and kwacha (ZMW=X) stabilizes at ₭26.5; commissioning 600 MW by 2027 could lift GDP by 1 ppt and compress spreads sustainably.
Zambia
Eastern Water’s K13.6m arrears crystallize Zambia’s sub-sovereign risk as USDZMW=X ranges 22.5–23.9 and the local 10-year sits ~19–20%, with EMB and AFK framing external appetite while HG=F and DX-Y.NYB set the macro tape.
Zambia
Zambia leans on China-backed water capex as USDZMW=X steadies near 23 while HG=F tracks copper-driven buffers; local 10Y near 19–20% underscores execution risk even as inflation eases and reserves hold near four months.
Zambia
The kwacha (USDZMW) is soaring, up 23% YTD, lifted by copper (HG1:COM) near USD 9,800/t. Yet Zambia’s rally masks fragility: without diversification beyond First Quantum (TSX:FM), Barrick [NYSE:GOLD], and Vedanta [LSE:VED], the strength won’t last.
Markets
First Quantum (TSX: FM) is betting $1.25B on Kansanshi’s S3 to replace lost Panama output and anchor Zambia’s 3 Mt copper goal. Success could reprice Zambia’s Eurobonds and shift global supply chains, but execution and policy risks loom.
Markets
Standard Chartered (LSE: STAN; LUSE: SCBL) has shortlisted bidders for its Zambia retail arm, a move that could reshape Lusaka’s banking scene. With Zanaco, Absa (JSE: ABG), and Access (NGX: ACCESSCORP) circling, investors await the price tag.