Zesco load shedding will impact Zambia’s end year GDP – Nkhoma

Economist Noel Nkhoma has observed that the increased load shedding in the country will have a negative impact on the country’s mining sector which will in turn affect the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Mr. Nkhoma who is also former Economic Association of Zambia president explains that in this regard that the power utility ZESCO should consider the most critical sectors of the economy such as mining in the manner they load shed.

He says the greatest concern is that the mining sector will not be able to reach the target of one million metric tonnes of copper production.

Mr Nkhoma notes that this means there will be less revenue for the Zambia Revenue Authority to collect especially with the already revised mining tax regime.

He adds that load shedding will also reduce productivity in the economy.

Mr. Nkhoma states that this especially that the current load shedding will have a huge negative the manufacturing industry which is also a key sector.