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Nakonde district is hive and hub of business activities and opportunities that is yet to be sufficiently tapped in by the business community. Away from the low tax incentives that are influenced by the central government in the formation, registration and operationalization of the Business, the policy direction in direct and foreign investment, the continental and regional trade treaties. Nakonde has investment opportunities that are unique in its Nature. The district stands as one of the busiest boarder town, with major trading route accounting for more than 80% of imports and exports for Zambia and other countries that are interlinked to Zambia for example through the great North road. Nakonde is gateway to east Africa and the capital Lusaka, to the north it connects to Malawi with only 150-kilometer stretch. According to Zambia Population and Demographic Projections, 2011-2035 Nakonde 2022 projected population stands at 235,529.
It is important to note that Nakonde has the fastest growing population with an annual growth rate of 4.8 % compared to the annual growth rate for the province that stands at 2.3%, the increase in population signifies readily available human resource at disposal for investors. There are number of sectors that are untapped for example the agriculture sector which is still practiced at subsistence level, without much or zero industrialized tools as wells as machinery. Yet it significantly contributes to the country’s food baskets. With the forestry sector yet to be tapped in, however, Nakonde is one of the centers for timber trade; in the energy sector, for example, Nakonde supply energy in terms of charcoal to Tanzania and other east African countries up to Uganda with improved and environmentally friendly resources. This therefore is indication that the energy sector is another diamond of investment in Nakonde district. Other sectors includes but not limited to education which houses not a single tertiary institution despite the growth in population and demand for education, tourism, infrastructure development, recreational centers and transport. Another critical angle investor should look out for Nakonde as a destination for investment, is the presence of Media coverage thus, making marketing, advertising and publicity. Thus, it is gratifying to note that the district already has two radio stations.
The following map shows the geographical location in Muchinga district.
Current Status
With vast and fertile land with favorable rainfall patterns, the district has three distinct weather patterns namely hot, dry and rainy season. This therefore entails that agriculture in Nakonde district is one of the key economic drivers which, unfortunately, is highly dominated by subsistence activities. This is largely because many farmers till the land and only produce for home consumption. Sadly, agriculture production and productivity are largely hampered by local farmers lacking the necessary technology and capital to upscale into commercial farming. The dominant farm produce includes maize, millet, sorghum, cassava, groundnuts and soya beans. Given the fast population growth, the district also has high demand for livestock products, however only few farmers have ventured into livestock and poultry, aquaculture and other diversified agricultural programs. Considering the rise in population against the subsistence farming practices therefore, the gains of agriculture are not meeting the demands for consumption and economic emancipation for the average person in the area. The status quo for agriculture in Nakonde presents opportunities for investment. Below is the general analysis under the agriculture sector.
Strength
Favorable climate condition.
Advantageous location of the district.
Lack of competitiveness among the existing farmers
Availability of fertile land.
Opportunities
Ready market
Nakonde is the gate way to East Africa, Malawi, and the sea port of Dar-es-salaam. Therefore, strategically located to enhance and aid trade
Labor force availability
Current Status
Nakonde is a district which is geographically and demographically advantaged with favorable climatic conditions and weather patterns. Despite Nakonde been advantaged with the potential for forestry activities and center for timber trade for three countries, the district’s forest cover has been diminishing and deteriorating due to human induced pressure coming forth as a result of deforestation which has been fueled by the need for fossil fuel as a source of energy because of charcoal burning and firewood collection and exploitation of the forest cover. Currently people are in forestry at small level and only the Zambia forestry and forest industries a state owned enterprise, thus, forestry is yet to be explored by business community.
Strength
Availability of land
Favorable climatic and weather conditions that supports the growth of both exotic and indigenous trees.
Presence of the cautery industry i.e. carpentry
High demand for timber products.
Opportunities
Ready and competitive market
Open route for trade as the district borders the countries of Tanzania and Malawi.
Dominance in the industry as three quarters of timber products comes from the bordering country Tanzania and the local production is at low scale.
The current status for the manufacturing and processing sector is yet to take root in Nakonde despite many activities and business that are transacted between Tanzania and other neighboring districts and countries.
Strength
Nakonde has vast land where manufacturing and processing plants can be set up.
Being a border town Nakonde has a friendly vast market having local consumers due to the ever-growing population and consumers from both Tanzania and Malawi
Availability of human resources.
Opportunities
The district is in the hot zone for business because it’s surrounded by both countries which include Tanzania and Malawi and neighboring districts like Mbala, Isoka Chama etc.
Favorable weather patterns
District experience monopoly type of market which make it easier for the new manufacturing industry to penetrate.
The current status for the mining industry in Nakonde is that there is one mining activity of quarrying with two major quarrying sites in chilolwa and chipala located south and west of Nakonde respectively. Quarrying is also practiced by women mostly and local resident’s stones which is at a small-scale level. According to the Nakonde Environmental outlook of 2013, there are mineral deposits which are believed to be in Ndingindi, Chanka, Msanza, Namatinji and Nankungulu. Therefore, mining in Nakonde is sector to look out for by who to be investors in Nakonde.
Strength
Opportunities
With a rich cultural practice mirrored in Namwanga traditional practices, Nakonde is cradle for the first welfare society in Zambia which was established in Mwenzo 1912, there are existing structure that bares history for the liberation of people’s freedom. 
There another interesting stories that are yet to be documented which could contribute to historic heritage and tourism, Nakonde is has been prior to colonialism been a business route, captures stories of the first and second world war as evidenced by the Stephenson road which was used by many troops during world war 2. Thus, Tourism is another area with attention and investment can be a hive for both local and foreign tourist has its history is not only sharped by a local context but a global context. Other historic site includes the Zwangendaba grave site and the Namwanga traditional ceremony which has potential to boast investment in the tourism sector through hospitality industry and cultural heritage.
Strength
Being a border town Nakonde has a lot of people coming in an and out giving it chance to have a people that can access most of the attractions to be offered
Political stability
Availability of historical sites such as the Zwangendaba burial site missionary site in Mwenzo
Decent lodges
Cultural and traditional activities such as the Mangwengwe dance and the Umutomolo ceremony.
Opportunities
Realization of income
Job creation
Making the district known to the global community
The growth in population comes with the increased demand for energy use as of 2010 it was projected that the 90 percent of the population was not connected national grind and had no access to electricity. However, the numbers may not speak same today, as there have been a sharp increase in the number of people who are connected to electricity grind. Despite this, it’s evident that many communities including neighboring communities of Tanzania rely on charcoal and fire wood from has their cooking fuel which counts for more than 78%. This trajectory possesses a threat to the plantation of Nakonde that has been dwindling rapidly and climate change due to increase in the massive cutting down of tress as well as the emission of gases. There trajectory presents an opportunity in investing in green energy and environmentally friendly energy sources that will respond to climate crisis that the country is struggling. For instance, investment in biogas has not been explored.
Strength
Opportunities
Muchinga Province is located in the northeast of the country and was created in the year 2011 after detaching it from mother province – Northern Province. The name of the province originates from the Muchinga Escarpment; on which it predominantly sits. The province elongates from southwest to northeast and is located on both sides of the Muchinga Mountains (Muchinga Escarpment).
Office of the Permanent Secretary
Provincial Administration
P.O Box 480137
Chinsali