Investment Must Deliver Jobs, Not Just Growth
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24, (April 15, 2026) — The Zambia–Africa Investment and Industrialisation Summit 2026 has opened in Lusaka with calls for investment that creates jobs, protects workers and drives inclusive growth, as government, labour, employers and development actors outlined priorities for Africa’s industrial transformation.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda M. Tambatamba said when she offocated at theZambia–Africa Investment and Industrialisation Summit 2026 that investment must be measured not only by capital inflows but by its ability to generate employment and improve livelihoods.
She said economic growth without jobs is not inclusive, while development that excludes people is not sustainable.
“Growth without employment is not inclusive; development without people is not sustainable,” she said, adding that investment must deliver “more jobs, better jobs and sustainable livelihoods.”
Tambatamba said government remains committed to strengthening social dialogue through its partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), noting that stable labour relations are key to investor confidence and decent work.
She said Zambia is prioritising technical and vocational education, digital skills development and alignment of training with industry needs in response to rapid technological change.
The minister also announced the introduction of a National Critical Skills List covering agriculture, energy, mining and tourism, in line with the Eighth National Development Plan.
Tambatamba further emphasised the need for a predictable and investor-friendly labour environment that also safeguards workers’ rights, stressing balanced partnerships between government, employers and labour.
She urged stakeholders to ensure that discussions at the summit translate into practical actions that advance industrialisation across Africa.
UFEZ Executive President Dr. Humphrey Monde, the host of the summit, said the forum should move beyond dialogue and focus on practical and coordinated actions that unlock enterprise growth and strengthen inclusive development.
He said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain central to Zambia’s economy, accounting for more than 70 percent of employment, but continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, high taxation and regulatory constraints.
Dr. Monde said SMEs are often constrained more by operating conditions than capability, and require targeted policy support to scale and compete effectively.
He called for consideration of supportive tax reforms, including incentives for emerging SMEs in productive sectors, simplified VAT compliance for small businesses, reduced import duties on machinery and raw materials, and strengthened support for women-owned enterprises.
He cited international examples, including Rwanda, as demonstrating how SME-focused reforms can support formalisation, investment attraction and growth.
Dr. Monde also highlighted a proposed UFEZ Impact Fund for SMEs and women-led enterprises, a blended-finance initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable loans, micro-grants, equity support and technical assistance for investment-ready businesses.
He said the initiative seeks to mobilise resources from government, development partners and the private sector to improve access to patient capital.
He encouraged stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including policy support, expanded blended finance mechanisms and deeper integration of SMEs into value chains.
Dr. Monde urged entrepreneurs to formalise and scale up their operations, noting that SMEs remain central to Zambia’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Blake Mulala said Africa risks remaining trapped in poverty if it continues exporting raw materials without value addition.
He said weak industrial capacity and poor policy implementation continue to limit citizens from fully benefiting from the continent’s resource base.
Mulala called for removal of structural barriers to trade, including bureaucratic bottlenecks and restrictions on movement, which he said continue to undermine regional integration.
He also criticised foreign investment agreements, arguing that many fail to protect national interests and instead result in exploitation.
Mulala warned against investors who suppress labour rights and undermine unionisation, saying such practices weaken development outcomes.
“Workers are not against investment, but we reject models that exploit labour and undermine national development,” he said.
He called for fair investment partnerships that ensure skills transfer, local value addition, technology development and respect for labour standards.
Labour representative Nelson Mwale raised concerns over rising casualisation of labour, saying it is weakening job security and eroding workers’ rights across sectors.
He also highlighted weaknesses in labour administration systems, noting that poor employment data management is affecting fairness and transparency in recruitment processes.
Mwale further pointed to poor workplace safety standards, saying many workers continue to operate without adequate protective clothing and equipment.
He called for stronger enforcement of labour regulations to ensure dignity, fairness and safety in employment.
International Organisation of Employers (IOE) president Jacqueline Mugo called for stronger intra-African trade and warned against fragmented investment negotiations that weaken Africa’s bargaining position.
She said Africa’s long-standing goal of regional economic integration remains largely unfulfilled, limiting growth potential.
Mugo noted that while infrastructure development has improved across the continent, it has not sufficiently translated into improved living standards, particularly for rural populations and women.
She said development must be measured by its impact on livelihoods rather than physical infrastructure alone.
Mugo urged stronger support for women entrepreneurs, saying women remain central to Africa’s economy but continue to face barriers in accessing finance, markets and technical support.
She called for increased investment in women-led enterprises to strengthen inclusive growth and sustainable development.
The summit highlighted both convergence and tension among stakeholders, with labour unions calling for stronger protection against exploitation, employers pushing for investment-friendly policies and regional integration, and government calling for a balanced approach anchored on jobs, skills development and industrial transformation.
Despite differing emphases, all parties agreed that Africa’s industrialisation must deliver tangible benefits through employment creation, skills development and inclusive economic growth.
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