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Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre

Name: Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre
Address: Mbala, ZM
Telephone: 0966302025

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Mbala / Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre

This page is about the town of Mbala in Zambia. Promotion of its tourism Potential and about its past, present and future. It is also a forum to meet

Mbala, Zambia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mbala
Town
Mbala is located in Zambia
Mbala
Mbala
Coordinates: 8°50′S 31°28′E
Country Zambia
Province Northern Province
District Mbala District
Time zone CAT (UTC+2)

Mbala is Zambia’s most northerly large town and seat of Mbala District,[1] occupying a strategic location close to the border with Tanzania and controlling the southern approaches to Lake Tanganyika, 40 km by road to the north-east, where the port of Mpulungu is located. It had a population of about 20,000 in 2006. Under the name Abercorn, Mbala was a key outpost in British colonial control of this part of south-central Africa.[2] It is headquarters of an administrative district of the Northern Province. Contents

1 History
2 Geography and transport
3 Climate
4 Attractions
5 References

History

A number of archaeological sites in the area (such as at Kalambo Falls) provides a record of human activity in the Mbala area over the past 300,000 years. Before colonial times, Mbala was the village of Chief Zombe on the Lucheche River. It became the focus of British interest as a result of travels by the explorer David Livingstone, the first European to visit the area, in the 1860s. He was followed some years later by Verney Lovett Cameron who surveyed Lake Tanganyika. Livingstone inspired missionaries of the London Missionary Society to come in the 1880s to Niamkolo on the lake and Fwambo and Kawimbe on the plateau. These missions had links to the African Lakes Company which later set up in Mbala and Mpulungu. The area was ravaged by the slave trade during much of the 19th Century, and the African Lakes Company devoted some efforts to trying to stamp it out. This activity drew in the representative of the British Government in the region, Harry Johnston in Nyasaland, and decisions were taken to strengthen the imperial presence south of the lake and prevent other colonial powers establishing a foothold there.[2]

As a result the colonial era began in Mbala in 1893, earlier than in most other areas of what would be come Zambia, when Hugh Marshall was sent by Johnston as the British Consul for the area. Marshall built a well-fortified boma at Chief Zombe's village and acted as Magistrate and Postmaster. In 1895 the British South Africa Company took over administration of the territory, called it North-Eastern Rhodesia, and the ‘Zombe boma’ became known as Abercorn, named after the company chairman. The site was favoured by British administrators as being healthy and having a pleasant climate with plenty of hunting and fishing. Until German East Africa was taken over by Britain in 1919 as Tanganyika, Abercorn and the smaller Chiengi boma on Lake Mweru were the most northerly outposts of British southern Africa. During World War I Mbala was a focus of the unsuccessful British military effort to defeat German General von Lettow-Vorbeck’s German army, and British forces were concentrated there. After Germany’s surrender in Europe, von Lettow-Vorbeck formally surrendered at Mbala on 25 November 1918, though he had agreed a ceasefire at the Chambeshi River 250 km south nine days earlier. A memorial marks the spot of the formal surrender about 2 km south-west of the centre of town. Following the surrender ceremony, the German troops were ordered to throw their weapons into Lake Chila.[2]

After Zambia’s independence in 1964, the name of the town was changed back to Mbala. Since its heyday as a colonial town in the 1950s and early 60s, Mbala has suffered some decline, and has lost out in development terms to the provincial capital, Kasama, and Mpika, which have better road and rail connections. Although the Mbala area has fertile soils and plenty of water, it is too far from urban markets for agricultural produce. Similarly, while it has tourist potential it is a bit too far off the main tourist routes and the poor state of the main highway and the lack of regular air services discourage visitors. There is one hotel but no resorts in the immediate area, the nearest being those in Nsumbu National Park such as Kasaba Bay, 100 km away, but there is no road link there − in fact the lack of a road serving the south-western side of the lake, which is mountainous, is a serious barrier to tourism or to any development there. Kalambo Falls is an attraction, but is not accessible throughout the rainy season. Wars and unrest on the eastern and northern shores of Lake Tanganyika have also hindered trade and tourism on the lake, which has not given Mbala and Mpulungu the advantages of their location. With recent steps towards resolution of those conflicts, the future may be brighter.[3] The population was 16,963 in the 2000 census.[4]
Geography and transport

The town is at the edge of the plateau covering most of Zambia, at an elevation of 1670 m, about 900 m higher than Lake Tanganyika, which comes within 22 km (straight line distance). The escarpment above the lake is the end of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East Africa Rift, and the Mbala area experiences occasional earth tremors. It is also said that the tiny but picturesque Lake Chila within the town experiences inexplicable drying out, and sudden flooding from underground springs, but this may be just a legend.[3]

The second highest waterfall in Africa, Kalambo Falls lies about 40 km (by road) north west, and is formed where the Kalambo River comes over the Rift Valley escarpment.[5]

Mbala is on the old Great North Road 165 km north of Kasama, and at one time was the end of that road.[6] It has been paved and as of late 2008 is in poor condition, with large patches of pavement missing, and stretches have reverted to a dirt road. However, work crews were patching the road in late 2008, with one crew starting in Kasama, and the other starting from Mbala.[7] Since it is the only paved highway access to the town and district, as well as to the port of Mpulungu, its poor condition is a major barrier to development in the area. Buses run daily from Mbala to Kasama and Lusaka, the capital. Mbala is 25 km from the border with Tanzania and connected by a dry-season road to one of only two road border crossings between the two countries. It is not much used, the road beyond the border is a dirt track impassable in the rainy season.[8]

The paved road which winds down the escarpment to Mpulungu affords scenic views and passes close to Lunzua Falls. From Mpulungu the MV Liemba provides a boat service to other ports and countries on the lake. In the 19th century the lake was an important entry point to the territory of northern Zambia, by boat from Ujiji, which was reached by an overland trade route from the Indian Ocean coast near the island of Zanzibar. Mbala has an airport but does not currently receive scheduled services, though it has a 2.6 km runway and was once a Zambian Air Force Base.

31/08/2026

Make Mbala Greater Again Part 8 – Historical Tourism-Part 2
Mbala/Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre would like to Welcome you back from the Election Season of 2026 and also Congratulate President Hakainde Hichilema for being In-augurated as the President of the Republic of Zambia!
Mbala Abercorn Heritage and Tourism Centre is beginning the Process of listing Down His-torical Sites where Monuments and Statues, Plaques and Markers and Landmarks can be placed in this Mbala Region to Celebrate and Launch Historical Tourism!
In Historical Tourism we commemorate historical sites and events through physical preserva-tion, public rituals, education, and community storytelling. These actions turn shared memo-ries into lasting symbols that teach new generations about their past.
Physical Preservation
• Monuments and Statues: Build stone or bronze figures to honor heroes and major wins.
• Plaques and Markers: Place metal signs on buildings to explain what happened there.
• Landmark Protection: Fix up old houses, battlefields, and sacred spaces so they do not fall down.
Public Rituals and Events
• Holiday Celebrations: Set aside special calendar days for national freedom or fallen sol-diers.
• Parades and Festivals: Gather in the streets with music, flags, and traditional dances.
• Anniversary Gatherings: Meet at key locations on round number years (like 50 or 100 years) to light candles or say prayers.
Education and Digital Sharing
• Museums and Archives: Keep old letters, clothes, and tools safe behind glass for people to view.
• School Lessons: Teach children local and global stories so the facts stay alive.
• Online Tours: Build digital sites and apps so anyone in the world can see history from home

We would like Followers and Supporters of this Page to Contribute to the list of His-torical Sites that can be marked so that we can then look for Sponsors to help Com-memorate these sites with Monuments and Statues, Plaques and Markers and Land-marks!
List of Historical Sites. !850 – 1900
1. Site of Zombe Village
2. Site of the Place where David Livingstone crossed the Lucheche River to visit Chief Zombe.1872
3. Site of the Last Battle where the Lungu and Mambwe People defeated the Arab Slave Traders and their Bemba Slave Trade Collaborators.
4. Site at Kasaba Bay where David Livingstone stood and called Kasaba Bay the most Beautiful Place in in his Jounals.
5. Site where Sir Johnston signed the Protection Treaty with Chief Tafuna at Kawe.Palace 1889
6. Site where Sir Johstone signed the treaty with Chief Musaku Fwambo at Nsingo Palace 1889
7. Site where Hug Marshall set up the Zombe Stockade.1891
8. Site of the Stevenson Road at first as a Slave Road and Later as the Entry Route to Abercorn through Kawimbe!
9. The Site of the First Magistrate Court at Abercorn.
10. The Site of the First Post Office set up by Hugh Marshall!
Next will be Historical Sites between 1900 to 1920.

26/07/2026

Make Mbala Greater Again Part 8 – Historical Tourism-part1
From the very first day that the idea was born 10 years ago to create this page about Mbala/Abercorn, the cornerstone of the idea was to bring ideas to this page that would Mbala Great Again.
For those of us who had the chance to see this beautiful town at its Splendour and its demise to the current State. These still remains the passion driving us that one-day Mbala town will be Great Again! This is possible if the Government Leaders and the Individuals with Re-sources can implement the Ideas that are discussed on this page.
The Local Authorities, Mbala Chamber of Commerce and Zambia Tourism Board need to embrace the idea of Mbala and the Region for Historical or Heritage Tourism. In every direc-tion, you take in Mbala town and Region there is History and Heritage. If properly implement-ed Mbala can be compared to Historical towns and Cities like Jerusalem, Jericho and Beth-lehem in Israel, Mombasa in Kenya, Kyoto in Japan, Pingyao in China, Toledo in Spain, Rome in Italy and many other.
These Historical Towns and cities have preserved old Buildings, unique places and cultural places where Historical Events took place, which shape the current History of the local area and the World. Such is the town of Mbala. Long before it became Abercorn as Zombe it has history which has to be told. Dr David Livingstone the famous Explorer passed through this town between 1868 and 1873. His body after his death was transported by Susi and Chuma through Zombe.
Somewhere around 1888 and 1890 Sir Harry Johnston visited Zombe to sign Protectorate Treaties with the Lungu and Mambwe Chiefs and to explore ways to end the Arab Slave Trade and implement the Abolition of Slavery. His strict documented instructions to Hugh Marshall was for him to establish a Military Stockhead right next to Chief Zombe Palace.
Then comes the Establishment of Abercorn as the first European Boma in Zambia after 1893 which has History connected to London Missionaries at Nyamukolo, Kawimbe and Catholics at Mambwe Mwela. The British Civil Servants, Military Officers, Individual Europeans, Farm-ers who were brought in to establish the Town of Abercorn whose names are well document-ed and relatives and Descendants are still alive today. These are the people who layed the foundation for the establishment of all the towns in the Northern Territories from Abercorn!
Some of these Descendants want to visit Mbala to reconnect with their family History and Heritage. They call me to ask for information on travel arrangements, Accomodation, Safety, Car Hire, Tour Guides, Epithets to show where some of these hugely historical events took place in which their Relatives were involved.
Historical or Heritage tourism therefore involves People traveling to experience specific his-toric and Heritage sites, artefacts, and cultural traditions that represent the stories of the past. It goes beyond standard sightseeing by including immersive experiences like museum tours, architectural exploration, or participating in historical re-enactments to better understand a region's unique heritage.
This is the Historical and Heritage Tourism that Mbala needs to embrace as it will bring In-come to the Town beyond what we can imagine. What is needed is Infrastructure develop-ment and the right knowledgeable people and experts in place to establish this Historical Tourism in Mbala! The Israelites are very good at this type of Tourism. Maybe the Govern-ment of Zambia can approach them for help!
In Historical and Heritage Tourism, I will list the Specific Historical and Heritage Sites that must to be Established beyond the few Sites that have been established so far in the Mbala Region!

Below is a map of the Southern area of Lake Tanganyika that was drawn by Dr David Livingstone in November 1872 showing Zombe Palace, Lucheche and Mbulu River and other Rivers flowing into Lake Tanganyika. The map was later used to draw the boundaries between current Zambia and Tanzania

18/07/2026

Dr. Guy Scott Family Connection to Abercorn/Mbala
The Death of Dr Guy Scott Zambia's former Vice President and Acting President brings an end to a family Legacy of 3 people Alex Scott the father, Guy Scott and Sally Scott who have had a connection and in-fluence on Mbala/Abercorn and in fact Sally Scott was born in Abercorn (now Mbala), Zambia, on May 5, 1936. Sally Scott passed away on April 21, 2018, just shy of her 82nd birthday. The Scott family was heavily involved in the political and social landscape of Zambia and Northern Rhodesia long before her brother, Dr Guy, became Vice President (2011–2014) and later Africa's first white head of state as Acting President (2014–2015)
Dr Alexander Scott the father to Guy and Sally Scott was a Scottish-born physician, opposition lawmaker, and prominent Businessman and publisher of African nationalist newspapers in colonial Zambia. Dr. Alexander (Alec) Scott, a Scottish doctor, Businessman and politi-cian was originally from Glasgow, and Grace Scott, who emigrated from England in 1927. During the 1950’s he served as an independ-ent Member of Parliament for Lusaka in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. As was the trend in those day’s he spent a lot of time in Abercorn/Mbala where there was a very large European Communi-ty and no wonder his Daughter Sally was born in Mbala/Abercorn in 1936.
Dr Alex Scott will always be remembered for his love and friendship with the African Politicians and Freedom Fighters Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, the Wina Brothers Arthur and Sikota, Chona Brothers Mainza and Mark, Chief Monze and many others. He went with these African Freedom Fighters to London to Petition the British Government in their fight against the Government of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Dr. Alexander Scott (Father to Dr. Guy Scott) and David Astor founded the Central African Newspaper in 1960 later became Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper. It was infact originally founded in February 1960 as the African Mail but later renamed the Central African Mail) by British publisher
Dr. Alexander Scott died in 1960 in Lusaka and it is the Events at his Funeral that brings me back to Sally Scott the Sister to the late Dr. Guy Scott.
Sally Scott was an artist, writer, and academic best known as the half-sister of Dr Guy Scott. She lived internationally but maintained deep ties to the Zambia’s history before passing away in 2018. Sally was an articulate writer who kept lifelong correspondences and authored the memoir The Land of Lost Content, which provided a poignant look into her early life in Northern Rhodesia and later Zambia.
Sally Scott memoir The Land of Lost Content is a must read book as she clearly describes the events at her Father’s funeral and mentions the presence of Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Harry Mwaanga Nkumbu-la at the Funeral in Lusaka in 1960.
The other issue of interest in her Memoir is her frustration at the change and replacement of European Names to Roads, Buildings and her beloved town of Abercorn to Mbala in 1967.
I will not write anything on Dr. Guy Scott as enough has been written and its on the Internet. The only thing I can mention was the interac-tion of the late Dr. Guy Scott and the Late Carlin Colin as boys at Chila Yatching Club, Lake Chila, Abercorn in the late 1950’s. May their Souls Rest in Peace!
(The Photo Below: Dr. Alec Scott (Former Vice President Guy L. Scott's father) and his wife, pictured with African Nationalists in Lon-don including Harry Nkumbula, Chief Musokotwane, Kamuzu Banda & Lawrence Katilungu. Alec was an MP for Rhodesia & Nyasaland rep-resenting Lusaka as an Independent.)
Credit: Historian_Zed

06/07/2026

I return once again to the issue of the Dispute between Between the DRC Government and former Colonial Master Belgium over the Geological Maps which has finally been Resolved!
The Zambia–Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border spans ap-proximately 2,300 kilometers, extending from the Tanzania tripoint on Lake Tanganyika in the northeast to the Angola tripoint in the southwest.
It is important that the Zambian Government takes a lot of interest in this case because most of the most important mines and minerals in DRC are near the border with Zambia and share the geological Rock which is rich in Minerals!
Tervuren (Belgium) (AFP) – From century-old maps to meticulous field notes, Belgium is sitting on a trove of geological records on colonial-era Congo – a coveted archive it is working to open up amid a global scramble for critical minerals.
Issued on: 03/07/2026 - 07:12Modified: 03/07/2026 - 11:47
3 minReading time
Teeming documents charting the rich subsoil of what is now the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo fill nearly 500 metres of shelving at the Africa-Museum in Tervuren, outside the Belgian capital.
The museum has pledged to digitise the contents and make them public within five years – and as the race for so-called rare earths heats up, it has grappled with how far to share the data with the mining sector.
Last year, the institution – formerly the Royal Museum for Central Africa – turned down an offer from the US company KoBold Metals to handle the archive's digitisation.
Instead, with significant EU funding, it intends to appoint a European con-tractor for the mammoth project, currently in its preparatory phase.
The aim is ultimately to make the data available to DRC authorities, both to support scientific research and to help unlock economic opportunities.
From a science standpoint, "the content of the documents is absolutely incredible", said Francois Kervyn, the museum geologist leading the pro-ject, describing decades of painstaking fieldwork carried out in largely unmapped regions.
The archive brings together surveys conducted by Belgian geologists as well as files from mining companies that operated in the vast African country before independence in 1960.
"It is the result of an enormous amount of work by people who devoted a large part of their lives to field observations," said Kervyn. "They travelled to completely unexplored regions to conduct surveys, without the posi-tioning tools we have today."
While the original focus was on copper and gold, some records also point to deposits of cobalt and lithium – minerals that have become strategical-ly vital in recent years.
For Kinshasa, the historical data could help identify new deposits and at-tract investment as demand surges for materials used in weapons, mobile phones and electric cars.
"The Congolese have identified several priority exploration zones – they are not starting from scratch. We are providing archives to confirm or re-fine their knowledge," Kervyn said.
One of the 15 least-developed countries in the world, the DRC has some of the richest land on the planet, notably in copper, cobalt, coltan and lithium.
In a sector largely dominated by China, other major powers are increas-ingly eyeing the Congolese subsoil in an effort to compete – with the United States in particular seeking to expand its foothold.
After missing out on the Tervuren archives, KoBold Metals secured ac-cess last year to the Congolese government's mining data, in what Kin-shasa described as a "strategic partnership" to boost US investment.
After a similar project in Zambia, the company is now working to digitise records held at Lubumbashi university in the country's far south.
"The project started in April and we have already digitised around 170,000 pages," KoBold Metals DRC head Benjamin Katabuka told AFP from Lumumbashi.

24/06/2026

Make Mbala Great Again Part 7 – Fish Farming
Our people in the Mbala Region of the Nyika Tanganyika Plateau from Karonga to Mpulungu have been growing Beans for Decades and everybody in Zambia knows that this is the Region that Grows Beans, Chilemba, Choli, The Kalambo Hit Parade Music Group even dedicated a song, “Chilemba Wapawinga”. That in this region they cook Beans to celebrate a Wedding.
This growing of Beans in the Mbala Region has not brought significant Economic Development to this over all these years because Beas is not an International Cash Crop and that is why it is important for the Zambian Government to begin to promote both Commercial and Subsistence Fish Farming!
Mbala Region has a very high Strategic Competitive Advantage for Fish farming for both Commercial and Subsistence Fish Farming! Investing in this field will bring a Pay Back over your Investment within a very short period of time.
This region has a high and long Rainfall Season than the rest of Zambia. This high Rainfall season results in a constant high water Table for the Fish Ponds in the River Basins and the Dambos and Swamps. Mbala Region and areas near Lake Tanganyika—receive the most rainfall. These areas typically record the longest rainy season from September to May and the highest annual precipitation, often ex-ceeding 1,250 to 1,500 mm (50 to 60 inches) per year. These are suitable conditions for Fish Farming.
Lake Tanganyika is no longer a reliable source of fish for Zambians. Lake Tangan-yika’s waters are shared by Tanzania (41%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (45%), Burundi (8%), and Zambia (6%). The lake is governed by the Conven-tion on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika, which established the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) to facilitate integrated management between the riparian states.
Zambia has the smallest share of Lake Tanganyika and therefore it makes more sense if this Region of Zambia can turn to fish Farming because apart from Zambia having a small share of Lake Tanganyika, high demands on the lake, climate change, overexploitation, harmful fishing methods, harmful land use practices in the Lake Tanganyika Basin and pollution due to lack of control on settlements around the Lake.

16/06/2026

Before continuing with my next Article on mining to Make Mbala Great Again I would like to draw the attention of this platform to a Battle that is going on between the DRC our Neighbour and its former Colonial master Belgium over the issue of Mining in DRC. Maybe the Zambian Government can get an idea of what to do!

DR Congo battles former colonial ruler Belgium for millions of maps revealing where its copper, cobalt and mineral wealth are located
OLAMILEKAN OKEBIORUN
15 June 2026 02:01 PM
The Democratic Republic of Congo has intensified its push to recover millions of colonial-era geological maps and records held in Belgium, as it seeks greater control over data showing the location of its copper, cobalt and other mineral resources.
DR Congo battles former colonial ruler Belgium for millions of maps revealing where its copper, cobalt and mineral wealth are located
• The Democratic Republic of Congo is pushing for the digitisation and transfer of colonial-era geological records from Belgium to gain greater control over critical mineral data.
• The records, held in a Belgian museum, are historically and commercially valuable and could aid in identifying new deposits of vital minerals like cobalt and copper.
• While US company KoBold Metals aimed to help digitise the records, Belgian authorities insist digital copies be shared directly with Congolese authorities and not exclusively with private firms.
• These efforts are part of a wider African push to modernise geological data, attract investment, and reassert control over resource data previously held abroad.
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Congolese Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba met Belgian and European Union officials to discuss the digitisation and transfer of records held at the Royal Museum for Central Africa near Brussels, the Luxembourg Times reported.
The collection includes maps, field reports, aerial photographs, rock samples and other documents gathered during decades of geological exploration under Belgian colonial rule from 1885 to 1960.
Importantly, the records could help identify new deposits of copper, cobalt, lithium and other minerals used in electric vehicles, renewable-energy systems and advanced technologies.
The archive also forms part of the broader debate over material retained by Belgium after colonial rule.
A spokesperson for the Congolese mining ministry said the government wanted to move into the implementation phase because “there is a need to accelerate the discovery of new mineral deposits”.
“A very large part of DR Congo has not yet been explored,” the spokesperson said.
Following the talks, officials agreed to draw up a joint roadmap for the digitisation and restitution of the records. They also agreed to establish a task force to oversee the process.
The ministry described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening DR Congo’s “geoscientific sovereignty” and making its mining industry more competitive and attractive to investors.
DR Congo tightens control over cobalt exports
The push for greater control over geological data comes as Kinshasa tightens its grip on the country’s mineral exports.
DR Congo suspended cobalt exports in February 2025 after oversupply depressed prices and weakened government revenue.
It replaced the ban with a quota system in October 2025, capping exports at 96,600 tonnes annually in 2026 and 2027.
The restrictions were intended to reduce the market glut, support prices and increase DR Congo’s influence over a mineral for which it supplies about three-quarters of global output.
Consequently, the measures helped lift cobalt prices but also tightened supplies for refiners, particularly in China, and accelerated demand for cobalt-free battery technologies.

13/06/2026

Make Mbala Great Again Part 6 – Critical Infra Structure and Indus-tries: Sugar Cane Industry.
There are 3 Industries that are Critical to the North Eastern Region of Zambia which must be developed first and all those that have been asking in what Industries they can Invest in the Mbala/Abercorn Region join me here once again.
Last time I touched on the Cement Making Industry. This week I want to touch an-other Industry that can bring instant development and payback on the Investment and this is the Sugar Making Industry like the Nakambala Sugar Estate Arrange-ment in Mazabuka.
Nakambla Sugar Estate in Mazabuka is facing two major challenges namely Cli-mate Change induced Drought and Low Rainfall and Expansion. This has resulted in High Cost of Production and High Sugar Prices to the Consumers. These are not challenges that that can be solved at the Nakambala Sugar Estate and therefore it is time the Zambian Government seriously pays attention to these challenges.
The solution here is just investing in another Sugar Estate in the Northern Mbala Region where the Climate Change Challenges are actually the Opposite to what is happening in the Southern Region of Zambia!
According to the Climate and Weather Observation, the Northern Region of Zambia close to the Equator will experience more Rainfall than what has been experienced in the recent Past. That is why the Levels of Water in Lake Tanganyika is increasing at a Very, Very fast Rate and this will affect allctivities in the Lake Tanganyika Ba-sin.
This is Climatic Condition is Suitable for Sugar Cane Growing and Sugar Cane Plantations.
As for Expansion Challenges Dambos and Swamps in this Northern Region such as the Uningi, Inyika ya Kale and many others along the Rivers like Saise remain unutilised and just waiting for production.
There will be no need for Irrigation, which is raising Production Cost for Sugar Plan-tations.
Sugar plantations are complex agricultural and industrial operations, which attract Small and Large Sub Industries. They anchor a wide array of related industries by supplying raw materials and creating high-value by-products. These interconnected sectors span renewable energy, food processing, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Just one Industry can bring in several sub Industries and this is how you develop a Region.

09/06/2026

Make Mbala Great Again Part 6 – Critical Infra Structure and Indus-tries. Cement Manufacturing!
In the last Article, I elaborated on the Importance of identifying Critical Industries and Infra structure that are a foundation for other Industries in a region or a country and want to Elaborate.
Since Independence in 1964 the North Eastern Region of Zambia has lagged be-hind in Industrial and Economic Development and now it is time to change this Nar-rative!
The other point I made was that Industrial Development must be based on the Competitive Advantage of a Region.
There are 3 Industries that are Critical to the North Eastern Region of Zambia which must be developed first and all those that have been asking in what Industries they can Invest in the Mbala/Abercorn Region join me here.
1. Cement Making Industry:
There is need to invest in a Cement Making Factory in the North Eastern Re-gion of Zambia. Infra Structure Development all over the World requires readily available and cheap Cement. Most of the Cement at the moment comes from hundreds of Kilometres from Lusaka and Copperbelt. This is too far!
Developing a Cement Industry in the North Eastern Region of Zambia makes a lot of Sense because the Raw materials needed for Cement making is available in the Region and this Region is Nearer to the Source of the Im-ported Clinker from the Middle East and China which is Required for Cement Manufacturing.
Tanzania has a cement plant in Mbeya which is just across the border with Zambia. Meaning the raw materials are also available in Zambia. The most important raw materials for making cement are limestone, clay and marl. These are extracted from quarries by blasting or by ripping Rocks using machinery.
The technology for cement processing is not of Rocket Science Technology. The Zambian Government through IDC if they care can easily find investors for this venture and this will bring and spur development in Mbala/Abercorn region.
The local and International Market is readily available which guarranttes the Industry to be a Success!
For instance Burundi imports from Zambia was US$43.69 Million during 2019, ac-cording to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Burundi imports from Zambia - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on Jan-uary of 2021and is expected to reach over US$60 Million.
The bulk of Burundi imports from Zambia over 90% are Limestone and Cement which passes through Mbala/Abercorn and then Mpulungu Port after being trans-ported hundreds of Kilometers.
Now you can include Eastern Congo as a market for Cement. Since 2020 Tanzania has overtaken Zambia in the Export of Cement to Burundi and Eastern Congo from their Mbeya Cement Industry. This has produced Employment for Youths in the Rukwa Region of Tanzania and spurned Economic Development in the Rukwa Region. Mbala now looks like a Village when compared to Sumbawanga and Mbeya. Sumbawanga will soon have an International Airport for Tourists to visit the Rukwa Region. Now that is development.
Surely we can also Make Mbala Great Again!

03/06/2026

Make Mbala Great Again Part 5 – Critical Industries

To demonstrate the importance of Development in any country there is always the Priority of Developing Basic or Critical Industries! If you say want you want to devel-op in a Country, it is important to know what are the Critical Industries that are a foundation for other Industries.
Unfortunately in Zambia since Independence in 1964 we seem not to know what are the Priority Industries that should be a foundation for Development in an Area or Region! For a long time even in the current Election Campaign Candidate are say-ing, “I will build a School, a Health Centre or Clinic, a Road and a Market!”
Really, are these critical Critical Industries or Critical Infra Structure” All these are just are merely Infra Structure which Support or are Attracted by the Critical Socio-Economic Industries!
Bluecap Economic Advisors says:

Critical industries for socio-economic development are those that drive job creation, infrastructure, and human well-being. Foundational sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing generate wealth and raw materials, while healthcare, education, and financial services build the vital human capital needed for long-term regional stability.
The most vital industries for regional development fall into three primary categories but the most important are just two:
1. Foundational & Resource Industries (Primary Sector)
These industries are the backbone of local wealth, providing raw materials and essential goods.
• Agriculture & Agribusiness: Ensures food security and provides materials for food pro-cessing.
• Mining & Extractive: Extracts valuable ores and minerals, which are heavily tied to export markets and large-scale industrialization.
• Forestry & Fisheries: Provides sustainable timber and food sources while generating rural employment.

2. Value-Addition & Infrastructure (Secondary Sector)
These industries transform raw materials into finished products, capturing more economic value and creating diverse employment opportunities.
• Agro-processing & Manufacturing: Turns raw agricultural and mineral outputs into con-sumer goods, retaining local capital and creating sustainable supply chains.
• Construction & Infrastructure: Builds the roads, housing, and utility systems required for business operations and community connectivity.
• Energy & Utilities: Crucial for powering homes and businesses. Developing renewable or localized energy solutions drives efficiency and lowers costs.

3. Tourism Development and for Mbala Region it is the Historical Tourism where it has an Advantage.
( This will be elaborated later)

If we want to Make Mbala Great Again this is what the Mbala Chamber of Com-merce should be Advocating and looking for Investors and Attracting them to the Mbala Region! This is what will create Employment for the Youths in the Mbala region!
Building Markets and Helping in Road Construction by Mbala Chamber of Commerce will not bring Economic development to the Region.

Over 90% of the Raw Materials used by the Industries in Lusaka and Cop-perbelt are imported from the Middle East and China. They are transported through Nakonde Border to Copperbelt and Lusaka Industries and then the Manufactured Goods are then Transported back to the same Region the Raw Materials passed and then we ask why these finished Products and Goods are so Expensive and Massive Unemployment.

22/05/2026

Make Mbala Great Again Part 4 – Mbala Chamber of Com-merce

Going through the Website of Mbala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), which represents local businesses, advocates for infrastructure upgrades, and partners with the Mbala Municipal Council to oversee district markets.
It goes on to say that, the Objectives of Mbala Chamber of Commerce in the com-merce sector in the Northern Province district includes the following key areas:
• Local Markets: The Mbala Municipal Council manages the allocation of market stands and bus stations. The Chamber actively supports modern market develop-ments, such as the Mbulu Market construction, to boost trading capacity.
• Agriculture & Trade: As a vital agriculture hub, local commerce relies heavily on crop production (maize, beans). The Chamber of Commerce works with the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to stabilize staple food prices and ensure supplies for local millers.
• Tourism & Border Trade: Commerce stakeholders are heavily advocating for the rehabilitation of roads to the Kalambo Falls and the upgrade of local infrastructure to stimulate cross-border trade with Tanzania and tourism.

And this is where the job to Make Mbala Great Again should begin to change the thinking and objectives of Institutions like Mbala Chamber of Commerce.

The primary objective of a town or city Chamber of Commerce is to stimulate the lo-cal economy by supporting business growth, facilitating networking, and advocating for favorable policies. When businesses succeed, the entire community prospers.
The core objectives and functions of a Chamber include:
1. Business Advocacy and Representation
• Lobbying: Acting as a collective voice for local businesses, lobbying local and regional government on issues involving taxes, fees, zoning, and municipal regula-tions.
• Policy Influence: Protecting the local business environment by advocating for policies that promote competitiveness and growth

2. Economic Development
• Job Creation: Partnering with regional economic development agencies to attract new investments, industries, and tourism to the area.
• Business Retention: Assisting existing businesses to expand and supporting new entrepreneurs with startup resources.

3. Networking and Collaboration
• B2B Connections: Providing platforms for business owners to meet, build relation-ships, and exchange ideas through mixers, conferences, and committees.
• Community Building: Fostering a unified business environment that encourages companies to support one another through member-to-member discounts and B2B services.
4. Promotion and Marketing
• Brand Exposure: Offering marketing packages, sponsorships, and advertising opportunities to help members reach local consumers.
• Customer Referrals: Directing residents and visitors to trusted Chamber members when they are looking for specific products or services.

5. Education and Resources
• Market Insights: Providing access to local economic data, market trends, and consumer behavior reports.
• Workshops & Training: Hosting seminars on relevant operational topics like digital marketing, financial planning, and regulatory compliance.

Please those that are familiar with the members of the Mbala Chamber of Commerce Share with them this Article so that can maybe change their MIND-Set
(Photos Courtesy of Radio Luswepo)

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