Zambia’s Nation Building Efforts and Collective Identity- Rethinking our Development Path : A Review and Commentary on Amb. Kapambwe's Reflections

I recently read Ambassador Lazarus Kapambwe's thought-provoking two-part analysis on Zambia's development journey entitled "The problem with Zambia: A self-evaluation" (Part One + Part Two). ?

In his reflections, Amb. Kapambwe’s critically examines the persistent issues in Zambia's political and economic landscape. He argues that, despite notable democratic progress, including peaceful transitions of power, Zambia faces challenges like economic stagnation, heavy reliance on copper, and foreign-dominated industries. Politically, there's a cycle of unfulfilled promises and shifting allegiances, impacting governance and public trust he goes on. He points out the paradox of rich natural resources, like emeralds and copper, being poorly managed, leading to continued poverty and exploitation. The article calls for a reevaluation of policies and practices to truly benefit the Zambian people.

Amb. Kapambwe’s insights deserve our attention, especially as we grapple with transforming our nation's potential into prosperity. Let me share some of my ?quick thoughts on what makes his analysis particularly noteworthy and where I believe it could be strengthened.

What Struck Me Most

First, let me say this - it's refreshing to see such honest analysis from a senior diplomat. But what really caught my attention was how Amb. Kapambwe frames our democracy paradox. Here we are, celebrated across Africa for our peaceful transitions, yet struggling to translate this political achievement into economic gains for ordinary Zambians. Having worked in development for years, I've seen how this disconnect plays out in real time.

His "Animal Farm" analogy particularly resonates with my observations. We've all witnessed this pattern: opposition parties fiercely criticize government policies, only to maintain similar approaches once in power. It's not just about individuals making poor choices - it's about systemic patterns that persist regardless of who's in charge.

The Identity Question

Perhaps most profound is ?Amb. Kapambwe's exploration of Zambian identity. "What exactly do we mean when we say we are Zambians?" This question has haunted me throughout my career in development. It reminds me of Amartya Sen's work on development and identity - the idea that how people view themselves fundamentally shapes development outcomes.

What's Missing

While Amb. Kapambwe's analysis is strong, I see several additional critical areas that need deeper exploration:

Technology and Development: Given the booming of various tech initiatives in Lusaka, I'm surprised by the limited discussion of technology's role. Our young population is incredibly tech-savvy - just look at the growing tech hub in Lusaka. We need to seriously discuss:

·?????? How e-governance could cut through our notorious bureaucracy

·?????? Using digital solutions for better resource monitoring

·?????? Enabling citizen participation through technology

The Financial Architecture Question: This can't be emphasized enough. We need to rethink:

·?????? Our approach to development finance institutions ( including national development banks, agro financing banks, CEC) that are fit and adapted to making capital affordable and available for local SMEs and local private sectors as drivers of growth

·?????? How we finance local participation in mining and all sectors of the economy including emergent ones

·?????? The relationship between IFIs, FDI, and local business growth

Regional Integration: Through out Africa we understand how crucial regional integration is. We need to better understand:

·?????? Our position within SADC and COMESA

·?????? Opportunities from the African Continental Free Trade Area

·?????? How to build regional value chains

Environmental Sustainability: Given the global climate crisis, this deserves more attention. We should focus on:

·?????? Setting clear environmental standards for mining

·?????? Developing green economy opportunities for SMEs and Youth

·?????? Planning for climate change impacts and understanding implications on development

Making It Happen

Here's what I believe we need for successful implementation:

1.?????? Clear Frameworks: We can't just talk about change - we need specific, measurable goals. I've seen too many good ideas fail for lack of clear implementation plans.

2.?????? Strong Accountability: Having worked in policy monitoring, I know how crucial this is. We need robust systems to track progress and hold people accountable.

3.?????? Political Will: This is perhaps the most challenging aspect. How do we maintain momentum for reforms across political transitions?

4.?????? Citizen Engagement: Change can't just come from the top. We need active citizen participation in shaping and implementing solutions.

Looking Forward

What excites me about Amb. Kapambwe's analysis is how it combines brutal honesty with hope for home-grown solutions. But moving from analysis to action will require all of us to engage deeply with these issues.

Some Questions worth pondering on:

·?????? How do we build institutions that outlast political cycles?

·?????? What role should civil society play in driving these changes?

·?????? How can we ensure economic reforms benefit ordinary Zambians?

As we await Part Three of Amb. Kapambwe's analysis, I'd love to hear Zambians and others ?thoughts on these issues. What resonates with your experience? What solutions do you see?